Abstract: A method is for generating X-ray image data of an examination object with reduced calcium blooming. The X-ray image data is based on X-ray projection data acquired with an energy-selective X-ray detector and in respect of at least two energy windows. An embodiment of the method includes determining a calcium content in the X-ray projection data by way of a base material analysis, the calcium content describing the calcium-determined part of the X-ray attenuation caused by the examination object; generating a mixed X-ray projection data record with calcium content suppressed by way of a weighting factor of less than one; and reconstructing the X-ray image data from the mixed projection data record by applying a reconstruction algorithm.

Abstract: A method is described for setting the detection of a macropixel signal of an x-ray detector with a plurality of pixels, each combined to form at least one macropixel. The geometrical efficiency and the signal drift factor of the individual pixels are first established. A target drift value is established. A parameter, which sets a compromise between an allowed drift of the macropixel signals and the achievable dose efficiency, is also defined. Based on the established parameters, the weighting of the individual pixel signals, taking into account a function taking account of the signal drift and the dose utilization of the resulting macropixel signal depending on the weightings of the pixel signals, is established. A weighted addition of the individual pixel signals to form macropixel signals is defined on the basis of the weightings. A signal detection device, an x-ray detector and a computed tomography system are also described.

Abstract: An X-ray detector is disclosed, including a detection unit to generate a detection signal for incident X-ray radiation; a signal analysis module to determine a set of count rates for incident X-ray radiation based upon the detection signal and signal analysis parameters for X-ray radiation; and a switchover control unit for switching between first signal analysis parameters and second signal analysis parameters. When an amount of X-ray radiation is incident on the detection module, a first set of count rates is generated for a first time interval based upon first signal analysis parameters and a second set of count rates is generated for a second time interval based upon second signal analysis parameters, different from the first signal analysis parameters. An X-ray imaging system including the detector; a method for determining count rates for X-ray radiation; and a method for calibrating signal analysis parameters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting x-rays using an x-ray detector which includes a direct-conversion semiconductor detector element. Additional radiation is supplied to the semiconductor detector element using a radiation source, and the supply of the additional radiation is controlled and/or regulated on the basis of a specified target value. In at least one embodiment, the target value can be specified in a variable manner over time as a sequence of target values. An x-ray detector system is further disclosed, with which the method can be carried out.

Abstract: A method is described for correcting a captured macropixel signal of an X-ray detector including a plurality of pixels, combined to form at least one macropixel, to capture discrete signals. A weighted macropixel signal exhibiting improved signal stability but reduced dose efficiency is determined. A variable specifying the relative signal drift of the unweighted macropixel signal compared to the weighted macropixel signal is determined on the basis of the captured macropixel signal and the weighted macropixel signal. In addition, a relative signal drift filtered with respect to time is determined on the basis of the relative signal drift. Finally, a macropixel signal corrected by the time-filtered relative signal drift is determined. A signal capture device is disclosed. Furthermore, an X-ray detector is described which includes the signal capture device according to an embodiment of the invention. A computed tomography system is also described which includes the X-ray detector.

Abstract: An X-ray system, in particular a computed tomography system, for acquiring projection data of an examination subject is described. In an embodiment, the X-ray system includes an X-ray emitter arrangement including a number of X-ray radiation sources and a number of photon-counting detectors including at least two detection thresholds. In this configuration, the X-ray emitter arrangement is embodied so as to generate X-ray radiation including at least two X-ray radiation spectra. Furthermore, the number of photon-counting detectors are arranged and embodied so as to detect at least the X-ray radiation passing through the examination subject in an energy-resolved manner in the form of projection data. An image reconstruction method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a counting digital X-ray image detector. Each pixel element and/or each pixel cluster is embodied as switchable between a first counting mode and a second counting mode that is different from the first. An at least first count of the number and/or energy of the events in an at least first time interval is performed for each pixel element or each pixel cluster in the first counting mode. An evaluation of the at least first count of the number and/or energy of the events is performed in an evaluation unit of the X-ray image detector. A switchover to the second counting mode is performed as a function of the number and/or energy of the events, and a second count of the number and/or energy of events counted within an at least second time interval is performed in the chosen second counting mode.

Abstract: A direct-converting x-ray radiation detector is disclosed for detecting x-ray radiation, in particular for use in a CT system. In an embodiment, the detector includes a semiconductor material used for detecting the x-ray radiation; at least one collimator; and at least one radiation source, to irradiate the semiconductor material with additional radiation. In at least one embodiment, the at least one collimator includes at least one reflection layer on a side facing the semiconductor material, on which the additional radiation is reflected to the semiconductor material. In another embodiment, a CT system including the direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, and a method for detecting incident x-ray radiation via a direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, in particular for use in a CT system, are disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging medical device includes a detector including an active material which is serviceable in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium, a primary power supply designed to supply the imaging medical device with power in an operating state, and an ancillary power supply designed to maintain a thermodynamic equilibrium in the active material of the detector in a non-operating state of the imaging medical device to keep the detector in a state of readiness. A method for operating such an imaging medical device is disclosed, wherein in the operating state, the imaging medical device is supplied with power via the primary power supply, and wherein in the non-operating state, a thermodynamic equilibrium is maintained in the active material of the detector, with power supplied by the ancillary power supply. The detector is thereby kept in a state of readiness.

Abstract: A method is for generating X-ray image data of an examination object with reduced calcium blooming. The X-ray image data is based on X-ray projection data acquired with an energy-selective X-ray detector and in respect of at least two energy windows. An embodiment of the method includes determining a calcium content in the X-ray projection data by way of a base material analysis, the calcium content describing the calcium-determined part of the X-ray attenuation caused by the examination object; generating a mixed X-ray projection data record with calcium content suppressed by way of a weighting factor of less than one; and reconstructing the X-ray image data from the mixed projection data record by applying a reconstruction algorithm.

Abstract: A filter is disclosed for the spectral filtration of X-rays emanating from an X-ray source which cross an object under examination and are detected by an X-ray detector in at least two different spectral regions. After crossing the object under examination, the X-rays have an energy spectrum which displays a characteristic distribution for the anode material of the X-ray source. In an embodiment, the filter is configured to suppress part of the energy spectrum comprising the focal point of the energy spectrum. A corresponding X-ray system and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating an image. An embodiment of the method includes detecting a first projection data set via a first group of detector units, the first group including a first plurality of first detector units, each having more than a given number of detector elements; detecting a second projection data set via a second group of detector units, the second group including a second plurality of second detector units, each including, at most, the given number of detector elements; reconstructing first image data based on the first projection data set; reconstructing second image data based on the second projection data set; and combining the first image data and the second image data. A non-transitory computer readable medium, a data processing unit, and an imaging device including the data processing unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: An x-ray system, such as a computed tomography system, has an x-ray source, a projection detector arrangement associated with the x-ray source for the acquisition of projection data of an examination subject, and a monitor detector that measures current dose measurement data of the x-ray radiation. The monitor detector is designed and arranged to detect a portion of the x-ray radiation that does not travel through the examination subject. The monitor detector is formed as an energy-resolving detector. Furthermore, a method for the acquisition of projection data of an examination subject a method to generate image data make use of such an x-ray system.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing image data during CT imaging is described. In the method, a plurality of independent data records of projection measured data are captured. A combined data record is then determined based on the captured data records. In addition, morphological information is determined based on the combined data record. A target data record is also determined based on the captured independent data records. A target image data record is reconstructed based on the target data record and the determined morphological information. An image data determination facility and a computed tomography system are also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a counting digital X-ray image detector. Each pixel element and/or each pixel cluster is embodied as switchable between a first counting mode and a second counting mode that is different from the first. An at least first count of the number and/or energy of the events in an at least first time interval is performed for each pixel element or each pixel cluster in the first counting mode. An evaluation of the at least first count of the number and/or energy of the events is performed in an evaluation unit of the X-ray image detector. A switchover to the second counting mode is performed as a function of the number and/or energy of the events, and a second count of the number and/or energy of events counted within an at least second time interval is performed in the chosen second counting mode.

Abstract: A method for creating a resultant image for a specifiable, virtual x-ray quanta energy distribution includes capturing a first image dataset of the patient, capturing at least one second image dataset of the patient, and specifying a virtual x-ray quanta energy distribution. The method also includes establishing a spatial density distribution of the patient for at least two materials based on the first image dataset and the at least one second image dataset. The method includes creating a third image dataset of the patient based on the specified virtual x-ray quanta energy distribution and the established spatial material density distributions. The third image dataset represents an x-ray attenuation distribution of the patient corresponding to the specified virtual x-ray quanta energy distribution. The method also includes creating the virtual image from the third image dataset.

Abstract: A method for the automated determination of an adjusted setting for signal analysis parameters of an x-ray detector is described. With an embodiment of the method, information relating to the dimensions of the object to be examined, the x-ray attenuation in the object to be examined, the nature of the examination and the examination region of the object to be examined is acquired. Signal analysis parameter values are then determined based on the acquired information. A method for automatically setting signal analysis parameters of an x-ray detector is also described. A facility for determining an adjusted setting for signal analysis parameters of an x-ray detector is also described. An x-ray system is also described.

Abstract: A method is described for correcting a captured macropixel signal of an X-ray detector including a plurality of pixels, combined to form at least one macropixel, to capture discrete signals. A weighted macropixel signal exhibiting improved signal stability but reduced dose efficiency is determined. A variable specifying the relative signal drift of the unweighted macropixel signal compared to the weighted macropixel signal is determined on the basis of the captured macropixel signal and the weighted macropixel signal. In addition, a relative signal drift filtered with respect to time is determined on the basis of the relative signal drift. Finally, a macropixel signal corrected by the time-filtered relative signal drift is determined. A signal capture device is disclosed. Furthermore, an X-ray detector is described which includes the signal capture device according to an embodiment of the invention. A computed tomography system is also described which includes the X-ray detector.

Abstract: A method is described for setting the detection of a macropixel signal of an x-ray detector with a plurality of pixels, each combined to form at least one macropixel. The geometrical efficiency and the signal drift factor of the individual pixels are first established. A target drift value is established. A parameter, which sets a compromise between an allowed drift of the macropixel signals and the achievable dose efficiency, is also defined. Based on the established parameters, the weighting of the individual pixel signals, taking into account a function taking account of the signal drift and the dose utilization of the resulting macropixel signal depending on the weightings of the pixel signals, is established. A weighted addition of the individual pixel signals to form macropixel signals is defined on the basis of the weightings. A signal detection device, an x-ray detector and a computed tomography system are also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a computed tomography device including an x-ray source embodied to emit a fan-type beam bundle and a detector arrangement interacting therewith and including a plurality of detector elements. An embodiment of the method provides that an integration time provided to read out a detector element is dependent on the position of the detector element within the detector arrangement, wherein with a detector element which detects x-rays which penetrate the isocenter lying between the x-ray source and the detector arrangement, a longer integration time is provided, than with a detector element which detects x-rays which penetrate an examination volume which is further away from the isocenter.