Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus with an interferometer (IF) and an X-ray detector (D). A footprint of the X-ray detector (D) is larger than a footprint of the interferometer (IF). The interferometer is moved in scan motion across the detector (D) whilst the detector (D) remains stationary. Preferably the detector is a 2D full field detector.

Abstract: A grating based interferometric X-ray imaging apparatus having an interferometer (IF). The interferometer comprises at least one grating (G1). The grating (G1) is tiltable relative to an optical axis of the X-ray imaging apparatus. This allows changing a design energy of the X-ray imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A phantom body (PB) for use in a differential phase contrast imaging apparatus (IM) for calibration of same. The phantom body (PB) allows for simultaneous calibration of three different image signal channels, namely refraction, phase shift and small angle scattering.

Abstract: An imaging system (10) analyzes airways of a patient. The system (10) includes a hardware phantom (50) including tubes (54) representative of airways. The tubes (54) include different lumen sizes and/or wall thicknesses. The system further includes an imaging scanner (12) for scanning a region of interest (ROI), including the airways, and the hardware phantom (50) to create raw image data. At least one processor (32) is programmed to at least one of: (1) correct measurements of walls of the airways based on measurements of lumen size and/or wall thickness of the tubes (54) and known lumen size and/or wall thickness of the tubes (54); and (2) generate an image of the ROI in which color and/or opacity of the airways are based on a comparison of images or maps of the tubes (54) and images or maps of the airways. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A phase contrast imaging apparatus (MA) and related image processing method. The imaging apparatus includes a movable arm (AR) that carries a detector (D) and one or more interferometric gratings (G0,G1,G2). The imaging apparatus includes a rigidizer (RGD) to control the rigidity of at least the arm (AR) or a mounting (GM) for the gratings (G0,G1,G2). This allows controlling a drift of a Moiré pattern as detected in a sequence of readouts. A phase of the so controlled Moiré pattern can be used to calibrate the imaging apparatus by using the image processing method.

Abstract: A grating assembly (GAi) for use in phase contrast imaging applications in an X-ray imager (IM). The assembly (GAi) includes an electrostrictive layer coupled to the grating structure (Gi) of the assembly (GAi). Via said coupling, ridges (RG) of the gratings structure can be deformed into alignment with the focal spot (FS) of the X-ray source (XR) of the imager (IM). This allows reducing X-radiation shadowing effects.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus with an interferometer (IF) and an X-ray detector (D). A footprint of the X-ray detector (D) is larger than a footprint of the interferometer (IF). The interferometer is moved in scan motion across the detector (D) whilst the detector (D) remains stationary. Preferably the detector is a 2D full field detector.

Abstract: A grating based interferometric X-ray imaging apparatus having an interferometer (IF). The interferometer comprises at least one grating (G1). The grating (G1) is tiltable relative to an optical axis of the X-ray imaging apparatus. This allows changing a design energy of the X-ray imaging apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to handling misalignment in differential phase contrast imaging. In order to provide an improved handling of misalignment in X-ray imaging systems for differential phase contrast imaging, an X-ray imaging system (10) for differential phase contrast imaging is provided that comprises a differential phase contrast setup (12) with an X-ray source (14), an X-ray detector (16), and a grating arrangement comprising a source grating (18), a phase grating (20) and an analyzer grating (22). The source grating is arranged between the X-ray source and the phase grating, and the analyzer grating is arranged between the phase grating and the detector. Further, the system comprises a processing unit (24), and a measurement system (26) for determining a misalignment of at least one of the gratings. The X-ray source and the source grating are provided as a rigid X-ray source unit (28). The phase grating, the analyzer grating and the detector are provided as a rigid X-ray detection unit (30).

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a dark-field signal generated from a dark-field CT scan of an object, wherein the dark-field CT scan is at least a 360 degree scan. The method further includes weighting the dark-field signal. The method further includes performing a cone beam reconstruction of the weighted dark-field signal over the 360 degree scan, thereby generating volumetric image data. For an axial cone-beam CT scan, in one non-limiting instance, the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan FDK cone beam reconstruction. For a helical cone-beam CT scan, in one non-limiting instance, the dark-field signal is rebinned to wedge geometry and the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan aperture weighted wedge reconstruction. For a helical cone-beam CT scan, in another non-limiting instance, the dark-field signal is rebinned to wedge geometry and the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan angular weighted wedge reconstruction.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes acquiring a differential phase contrast imaging X-ray scan with an X-ray imaging system having an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a grating arrangement having a source grating, a phase grating and an analyzer grating. The source grating is misaligned in respect to an interferometer such that moiré fringes are detectable in the plane of the detector. A translation signal is computed for translating the source grating for achieving a predetermined moiré pattern. The positioning of the source grating is adjusted in an X-ray projection direction based on the translation signal such that at least 2 pi of phase changes are covered with the Moiré fringes over the width of the detector. And a further differential phase contrast imaging X-ray scan is acquired.

Abstract: A phantom body (PB) for use in a differential phase contrast imaging apparatus (IM) for calibration of same. The phantom body (PB) allows for simultaneous calibration of three different image signal channels, namely refraction, phase shift and small angle scattering.

Abstract: A phase contrast imaging apparatus (MA) and related image processing method. The imaging apparatus includes a movable arm (AR) that carries a detector (D) and one or more interferometric gratings (G0, G1, G2). The imaging apparatus includes a rigidizer (RGD) to control the rigidity of at least the arm (AR) or a mounting (GM) for the gratings (G0, G1, G2). This allows controlling a drift of a Moiré pattern as detected in a sequence of readouts. A phase of the so controlled Moiré pattern can be used to calibrate the imaging apparatus by using the image processing method.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a radiation source that emits radiation that traverses an examination region. A controller activates the radiation source to emit radiation and deactivates the radiation source to stop radiation emission. The controller selectively activates the radiation source to emit radiation at one or more pre-determined angles. In another embodiment, the imaging system includes a data processing component that generates a virtual three dimensional image of an object of interest of the scanned subject based on the image data. In another embodiment, the imaging system is in a communication with a data manipulation and packaging component that generates at least a two dimensional or a three dimensional data set based on the volumetric image data and packages the data set in an object provided to a remote system that manipulates and navigates through the data set.

Abstract: The present invention relates handling misalignment in an X-ray imaging system for differential phase contrast imaging. In order to provide a reduction for the pretuning and adjustment requirements for manufacture and maintenance in a differential phase contrast imaging system, an X-ray imaging system (10) for differential phase contrast imaging, is provided that comprises a differential phase contrast setup (12) with an X-ray source (14) and an X-ray detector (16), a grating arrangement (18) comprising a source grating (20), a phase grating (22) and an analyser grating (24), wherein the source grating is arranged between the X-ray source and the phase grating, and the analyser grating is arranged between the phase grating and the detector. Further, a moving arrangement for a relative movement between an object under examination and at least one of the gratings is provided, as well as a processing unit (32), and a translation arrangement (34) for translating the source grating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to handling misalignment in differential phase contrast imaging. In order to provide an improved handling of misalignment in X-ray imaging systems for differential phase contrast imaging, an X-ray imaging system (10) for differential phase contrast imaging is provided that comprises a differential phase contrast setup (12) with an X-ray source (14), an X-ray detector (16), and a grating arrangement comprising a source grating (18), a phase grating (20) and an analyser grating (22). The source grating is arranged between the X-ray source and the phase grating, and the analyser grating is arranged between the phase grating and the detector. Further, the system comprises a processing unit (24), and a measurement system (26) for determining a misalignment of at least one of the gratings. The X-ray source and the source grating are provided as a rigid X-ray source unit (28). The phase grating, the analyser grating and the detector are provided as a rigid X-ray detection unit (30).

Abstract: An imaging system (10) analyzes airways of a patient. The system (10) includes a hardware phantom (50) including tubes (54) representative of airways. The tubes (54) include different lumen sizes and/or wall thicknesses. The system further includes an imaging scanner (12) for scanning a region of interest (ROI), including the airways, and the hardware phantom (50) to create raw image data. At least one processor (32) is programmed to at least one of: (1) correct measurements of walls of the airways based on measurements of lumen size and/or wall thickness of the tubes (54) and known lumen size and/or wall thickness of the tubes (54); and (2) generate an image of the ROI in which color and/or opacity of the airways are based on a comparison of images or maps of the tubes (54) and images or maps of the airways. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a dark-field signal generated from a dark-field CT scan of an object, wherein the dark-field CT scan is at least a 360 degree scan. The method further includes weighting the dark-field signal. The method further includes performing a cone beam reconstruction of the weighted dark-field signal over the 360 degree scan, thereby generating volumetric image data. For an axial cone-beam CT scan, in one non-limiting instance, the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan FDK cone beam reconstruction. For a helical cone-beam CT scan, in one non-limiting instance, the dark-field signal is rebinned to wedge geometry and the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan aperture weighted wedge reconstruction. For a helical cone-beam CT scan, in another non-limiting instance, the dark-field signal is rebinned to wedge geometry and the cone-beam reconstruction is a full scan angular weighted wedge reconstruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to filter x-ray beams generated using a CT apparatus or other x-ray based system with displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102), a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data, and a filter (146). The filter may absorb at least a portion of overlapping radiation emitted by the source at opposing angular positions. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined for a desired field of view configuration and amount of overlapping radiation. The detector may be adjusted to correspond to the amount of determined transverse displacement. The size and location of the filter may be determined based on the amount of overlapping radiation. The filter may be adjusted to correspond to the determined size and location of the filter.

Abstract: A method is provided for using CT imaging data to characterize the movement of a moving object. The method calculates one or more motion values based on motion vectors which are representative of the object's movement. The moving object may be, for example, a beating heart.