Abstract: Iterative methods for reconstructing an image sequence of a moving object based on projection data usually require a high computationally effort. According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided such a method wherein a first image representing the object at a first phase is used as an initial image for iteratively reconstructing a second image at a second phase. A first gating function is assigned to the first phase, a second gating function is assigned to the second phase. When executing a first iteration for reconstructing the second image only projection data corresponding to a non-overlapping part of the two gating functions are used. For executing further iterations the amount of projection data corresponding to the overlapping part of the two gating functions may be gradually increased. Therefore, for all further but the last iteration the computationally effort is significantly reduced.

Abstract: The increasing cone angle of current high-end and future CT systems leads to a decrease in image quality if approximate cone-beam reconstruction methods are used. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an iterative four-dimensional cardiac CT reconstruction is provided, in which phase volumes are selected from the four-dimensional data set, each having the same spatial volume at different phase points. Corresponding voxels inside these phase volumes are then forward projected onto the same projection. After calculation of a different projection, these voxels are updated. This may provide for an efficient implementation of an iterative four-dimensional cardiac cone-beam CT reconstruction.

Abstract: Optical fluorescence tomography is a highly sensitive method to image contrast agents in the body. However, current reconstruction methods suffer from a high complexity or even instability. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for absorption/scattering map reconstruction for optical fluorescence tomography may be provided, which uses a spectral model. This may provide for a subsequent fluorescence reconstruction with improved image quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer tomograph, in which data from a rotor, which during operation of the computer tomograph rotates about an axis of rotation, is transferred optoelectronically. For that purpose, on the rotor there is located at least one transmitter, which transmits light towards a receiver mounted on the axis of rotation, the light being modulated with the data to be transferred.

Abstract: In optical tomography, a calibration of the data may be necessary for image reconstruction. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the object of interest is used for calibration, wherein the image data is acquired during a highly oxygenated phase of the object of interest and wherein the calibration data is acquired during a low oxygenated phase of the object of interest. This may provide for an improved calibration, resulting in improved image quality.

Abstract: Iterative algorithms, which may be used for image reconstruction, include alternating projections and backprojections usually have a slow convergence, due to correlations between simultaneously processed data. Consequently, a low image quality results. A filtering step is introduced before backprojection, allowing parallel processing without the loss of convergence speed or image quality. Advantageously, this allows several projections/backprojections to be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus (100) for examination of an object of interest (101), the optical imaging apparatus (100) comprising an optical radiation source (102) adapted to emit a primary optical radiation beam onto the object of interest (101), an optical radiation detector (106) adapted to detect a secondary optical radiation beam emitted by the object of interest (101) upon absorbing the primary optical radiation beam, a magnetic field generating element (107) adapted to generate an inhomogeneous magnetic field varying along an extension of the object of interest (101), and a determination unit (108) adapted to determine information concerning the object of interest (101) based on an analysis of the detected secondary optical radiation beam in combination with an analysis of the inhomogeneous magnetic field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified Laser Optical Feedback Tomography sensor (10) which comprises an evaluator (16) for the determination of an object velocity (vz) relative to the sensor (10). The primary optical frequency (fo) of light emitted by a laser (11) is shifted by a first frequency shift F in a frequency shifter (13) and focused into an investigation region (3). A moving object (2) in said region produces an additional Doppler frequency shift ?F in the light sent back from the investigation region (3) which is re-injected into the laser (11). Resulting intensity oscillations of the laser (11), which critically depend on the shifted frequency of the re-injected light, are detected by a detector (15). Finally, the evaluator (16) coupled to the detector (15) determines from the observed oscillations the Doppler frequency shift ?F and therefrom the moving velocity (Vz) of the object (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compounds for combined opticalultrasound imaging. The compounds of the present invention relate to particles comprising fluorescence donor and acceptor molecules for energy exchange via FRET. The methods of the present invention use ultrasound to modify the distance between donor and acceptor molecules present on the particles, and to consequently modify the fluorescence emitted by the donor and acceptor. The compounds and methods of the present invention are useful in medical or diagnostic imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging method, in which a projection data record of an examination area to be reconstructed is generated by acquiring projections from different projection directions, in particular with the aid of a computer tomograph. For each projection direction, a filter operator is determined that is optimally adapted to a projection geometry allocated to the respective projection direction. An image of the examination area is reconstructed from the projection data record by filtering the projections with the filter operators determined and by back projection of these filtered projections.

Abstract: A receive coil (46, 46?, 46?) receiving a magnetic resonance signal includes an optical resonant cavity (82, 82?, 82?) having an electro-optically active medium (90, 90?, 90?). A radio frequency antenna (80, 80?, 80?) is coupled with the electro-optically active medium such that reception of the magnetic resonance signal by the radio frequency antenna modulates an optical characteristic of the optical resonant cavity. An interventional instrument (48) is adapted for partial insertion into an associated imaging subject (16). The radio frequency antenna and the optical resonant cavity are disposed on a portion of the interventional instrument that is inserted into the associated imaging subject. At least one optical fiber (52, 54) is optically coupled with the optical resonant cavity. An end of the at least one optical fiber extends outside of the associated imaging subject when the interventional instrument is partially inserted.

Abstract: Using only projection data in one temporal gating window around a certain target phase point may lead to motion artifacts such as blurred images. By using projection data corresponding to three temporal gating windows, which are slightly shifted with respect to each other but at least partially overlap, motion within the gating window may be estimated and, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, this estimation may be used for improving the image quality. Advantageously, only the projection data inside the at least partially overlapping gating windows are used for reconstruction and motion compensation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer tomograph, in which data from a rotor, which during operation of the computer tomograph rotates about an axis of rotation, is transferred optoelectronically. For that purpose, on the rotor there is located at least one transmitter, which transmits light towards a receiver mounted on the axis of rotation, the light being modulated with the data to be transferred.

Abstract: Iterative algorithms which may be used for image reconstruction, consisting of alternating projections and backprojections usually have a slow convergence, due to correlations between simultaneously processed data and consequently a low image quality. According to the present invention, a filtering step is introduced before backprojection, allowing a parallel processing without the loss of convergence speed or image quality. Advantageously, this may allow to perform several projections/backprojections simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the selective amplification of signal photons of a signal pulse (4) in a desired time window. For this purpose, the signal photons (4) are passed through an activated amplification medium (1), where amplification takes place by induced emissions. The amplification is terminated at a desired point in time by the irradiation of a quench pulse (7). Optionally, the start of amplification can be determined by an irradiated pump pulse (8). Emissions that are not correlated with the signal pulse (4) can be suppressed by means of a spectral filter (2). Furthermore, an intensity filter such as a saturable absorber (3) can suppress unamplified fractions of the emission (5) leaving the amplification medium (1). Applications of the method include medical optical imaging and tomography by transillumination with time-gated detection of ballistic photons.

Abstract: The technique of producing a printing on a foil in a thermal printing operation during a packaging operation in which the foil is used as a packaging foil or as an information foil sheet to be applied to or below a wrap around or packaging foil for packaging a product being an organic or inorganic product. The examples of products relevant in the present context are unlimited ranging from toys, cosmetics, consumer products, foodstuffs, drugs etc. In general, any product which is to be packed in a foil or to be applied with an information printing after the product has been included in a separate package may be relevant in the present context. High speed printing and packaging operations in which the foil on which the printing is to be applied is moved at a speed up to several hundred millimetres per second.

Abstract: A thermal printer for producing a printing on the surface of a foil in an ink transfer operation. The thermal transfer ribbon is moved relative to an energizable printing device along a specific direction of motion for causing the ink of the thermal transfer ribbon to be transferred at the specific locations to the foil at specific areas thereof constituting the printing so as to smear the ink of the thermal transfer ribbon at the specific locations onto the foil through the motion of the thermal transfer ribbon relative to the foil.

Abstract: A thermal printer for producing a printing on the surface of a foil in an ink transfer operation, comprising:

Abstract: The technique of producing a printing on a foil in a thermal printing operation during a packaging operation in which the foil is used as a packaging foil or as an information foil sheet to be applied to or below a wrap around or packaging foil for packaging a product being an organic or inorganic product. The examples of products relevant in the present context are unlimited ranging from toys, cosmetics, consumer products, foodstuffs, drugs etc. In general, any product which is to be packed in a foil or to be applied with an information printing after the product has been included in a separate package may be relevant in the present context. High speed printing and packaging operations in which the foil on which the printing is to be applied is moved at a speed up to several hundred millimeters per second.

Abstract: The method for splitting and reflecting beams in a laser scanning microscope which produces a laser beam (1) comprises the steps of: reflecting a beam from a partially reflecting mirror (2); splitting the laser beam (1) with a splitting device into partial beams (5); causing the partial beams to travel in a plane; directing the partial beams to a sample under investigation; providing the partially reflecting mirror (2) with a constant transmission; placing the partially reflecting mirror between two high reflectivity mirrors (3,4); transmitting the laser beam (1) to one of the high reflectivity mirrors (3); reflecting said beam (1) to the other one of the high reflectivity mirrors (4) with basically equal attenuation; repeatedly transmitting the beam to one of the mirrors; and repeatedly reflecting the beam to the other one of said mirrors (4); arranging the partially reflecting mirror and the high reflectivity mirrors (3,4) relative to each other to cause beams (5) reflected by the partially reflecting mirro