Abstract: A method for calibrating a computed tomographic imaging apparatus having a gantry, a radiation source operable at a plurality of kVp's, and a detector array having a plurality of detector elements includes using a system detection function to estimate signals of each detector element that would have been detected through air and through a given thickness of water to determine estimated datasets. The estimated datasets are used to determine data pair sets each comprising a normalized water projection value and an ideal projection value for each detector element. The method further includes determining and storing a representation of a mapping function of the normalized water projections values to the ideal projection values in a memory of the computed tomographic imaging apparatus as a spectral calibration of the computed tomographic imaging apparatus.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the generation of density maps using one or more basis material decomposition tables or functions. The basis material decomposition tables or functions are generated by simulating the system response to various lengths of basis materials using component characteristics of the CT system as well as the attenuation coefficient for the desired basis material. Measured projection data may be processed using the basis material decomposition tables or functions to provide a set of density line-integral projections that may be reconstructed to form a density map or image.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the estimation and correction of bone induced spectral (BIS) artifacts. Spectral matching is employed to approximate the incident X-ray spectrum attenuated by bone and water with an X-ray spectrum attenuated by water alone. A table can be built to express the amount in apparent projection value shift for objects containing bone and water compared with water-like object when their corresponding normalized spectra match. The BIS error may thereby be determined from existing spectral error data obtained from spectral calibration. A corresponding correction factor may be determined from the shift value.

Abstract: Configurations for stationary imaging systems are provided. The configurations may include combinations of various types of distributed sources of X-ray radiation, which generally include addressable emitter elements which may be triggered for emission in desired sequences and combinations. The sources may be ring-like, partial ring-like, or line-like (typically along a Z-axis), and so forth. Combinations of these are envisaged. Corresponding detectors may also be full ring detectors or partial ring detectors associated with the sources to provide sufficient coverage of imaging volumes and to provide the desired mathematical completeness of the collected data.

Abstract: A method for detecting, quantifying, staging, reporting, and/or tracking of a disease includes providing analysis software configured to detect, quantify, stage, report, and/or track a disease utilizing images of a patient. The analysis software is executable on a personal computer of a patient. Patients are then imaged utilizing a medical imaging apparatus and medical images of the patient produced by the imaging apparatus are downloaded to the personal computer of the patient. The imaging and downloading are repeated a plurality of times at intervals selected to provide the analysis software with sufficient images to detect, quantify, stage, report, and/or track the disease in the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for ascertaining the identity of an object within an enclosed article. The system includes an acquisition subsystem utilizing a stationary radiation source and detector, a reconstruction subsystem, a computer-aided detection (CAD) subsystem, and a 2D/3D visualization subsystem. The detector may be an energy discriminating detector. The acquisition subsystem communicates view data to the reconstruction subsystem, which reconstructs it into image data and communicates it to the CAD subsystem. The CAD subsystem analyzes the image data to ascertain whether it contains any area of interest. Any such area of interest data is sent to the reconstruction subsystem for further reconstruction, using more rigorous algorithms and further analyzed by the CAD subsystem. Other information, such as risk variables or trace chemical detection information may be communicated to the CAD subsystem to be included in its analysis.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the spectral calibration of the detector elements of a CT detector using one or more offset calibration phantoms. The offset phantoms provide greater coverage of the detector elements as well as spectral response data associated with penetration lengths ranging in length from a minimum chord of the phantom to the diameter of the phantom. The spectral response as a function of penetration length can be obtained for each detector element by comparing the fitting of each projection view to the corresponding measured projection view over all view angles. The fitting information may then be employed to derive the coefficients of the spectral response curve for each detector element, which may in turn be employed to provide rapid correction of the spectral response for each element.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the estimation and correction of bone induced spectral (BIS) artifacts. Spectral matching is employed to approximate the incident X-ray spectrum attenuated by bone and water with an X-ray spectrum attenuated by water alone. A table can be built to express the amount in apparent projection value shift for objects containing bone and water compared with water-like object when their corresponding normalized spectra match. The BIS error may thereby be determined from existing spectral error data obtained from spectral calibration. A corresponding correction factor may be determined from the shift value.

Abstract: A method includes scanning myocardial tissue of a patient with an Energy Discrimination Computed Tomography (EDCT) system to acquire data, and analyzing the acquired data for at least one of cardiac measurements, diagnosis, and prognosis after interventions.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the spectral calibration of the detector elements of a CT detector using one or more offset calibration phantoms. The offset phantoms provide greater coverage of the detector elements as well as spectral response data associated with penetration lengths ranging in length from a minimum chord of the phantom to the diameter of the phantom. The spectral response as a function of penetration length can be obtained for each detector element by comparing the fitting of each projection view to the corresponding measured projection view over all view angles. The fitting information may then be employed to derive the coefficients of the spectral response curve for each detector element, which may in turn be employed to provide rapid correction of the spectral response for each element.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the generation of density maps using one or more basis material decomposition tables or functions. The basis material decomposition tables or functions are generated by simulating the system response to various lengths of basis materials using component characteristics of the CT system as well as the attenuation coefficient for the desired basis material. Measured projection data may be processed using the basis material decomposition tables or functions to provide a set of density line-integral projections that may be reconstructed to form a density map or image.

Abstract: A method including detecting components of plaque using a multi-energy computed tomography (MECT) system is provided.

Abstract: A method includes scanning myocardial tissue of a patient with an Energy Discrimination Computed Tomography (EDCT) system to acquire data, and analyzing the acquired data for at least one of cardiac measurements, diagnosis, and prognosis after interventions.