Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary anode X-ray source. In addition to a primary cathode of a rotary anode X-ray tube, an auxiliary cathode is provided in the rotary anode X-ray tube. Electrons from the auxiliary cathode are focused into an area on the anode, from which X-rays cannot enter the used X-ray beam generated by the primary cathode. An emission current controlling device is used to control the electron emission of the auxiliary cathode. Thus, the voltage down-ramp for dual energy scanning is kept constant even though the primary X-ray output changes for the sake of dose modulation or during a transient of the primary electron current.

Abstract: A computer tomography x-ray tube for generating pulsed x-rays is presented. The x-ray tube comprises an anode and an electron emission unit for generating a pulsed electron beam onto the anode. Furthermore, a rotation mechanism for rotating the anode characterized in that the rotation mechanism is configured for rotating the anode with an angular velocity that varies in time is comprised. The rotation mechanism may also be configured for rotating the anode such that the variation of the angular velocity in time is a continuous oscillation around a mean angular velocity ?0 in time. In a preferred embodiment the angular velocity ? (t) varies in time according to the following formula: ?(t)=?0+?? sin ?t, wherein ?0 is a mean angular velocity. In a particular embodiment, the grid switch for generating the pulsed electron beam is comprised and the x-ray tube may be embodied as a stereo tube, in which two focal spots of electron beams are generated in an alternating manner.

Abstract: An image processing module and related method. The module (IP) comprises—one or more input interfaces (IN) configured for receiving i) a first input image (II) acquired of an object by an imaging apparatus (IM) at a first geometrical configuration of the X-ray imaging apparatus and ii) a specification of a change from said first geometrical configuration to a second geometrical configuration of the imaging apparatus. An upsampler component (US) of the module (IP) computes a new image (I+) of the object (OB) by applying a geometrical transformation to said first input image. The geometrical transformation corresponds to said change in geometrical configuration of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method of medical image processing is presented. The method proposes to apply different noise filtering algorithms to an input image, so as to yield a plurality of output images based on the same input image. The output images may be displayed at a higher frame rate than the input frame rate, which leads to a perception by a user of reduced noise in the images. Additionally, the motion fluency of the images may appear to be improved.

Abstract: The present invention presents a beam shaper for radiation imaging comprising a hollow beam shaper body filled with radiation attenuating gas. Radiation attenuation can be changed by adding or removing pressure to the gas or the housing containing the gas, making it suitable for use as a dynamic beam shaper in 3D radiation imaging.

Abstract: An image processing module and related method. The module (IP) comprises—one or more input interfaces (IN) configured for receiving i) a first input image (II) acquired of an object by an imaging apparatus (IM) at a first geometrical configuration of the X-ray imaging apparatus and ii) a specification of a change from said first geometrical configuration to a second geometrical configuration of the imaging apparatus. An upsampler component (US) of the module (IP) computes a new image (I+) of the object (OB) by applying a geometrical transformation to said first input image. The geometrical transformation corresponds to said change in geometrical configuration of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method of medical image processing is presented. The method proposes to apply different noise filtering algorithms to an input image, so as to yield a plurality of output images based on the same input image. The output images may be displayed at a higher frame rate than the input frame rate, which leads to a perception by a user of reduced noise in the images. Additionally, the motion fluency of the images may appear to be improved.

Abstract: The present invention presents a beam shaper for radiation imaging comprising a hollow beam shaper body filled with radiation attenuating gas. Radiation attenuation can be changed by adding or removing pressure to the gas or the housing containing the gas, making it suitable for use as a dynamic beam shaper in 3D radiation imaging.