Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and method for adaptive X-ray filtration comprising a volume of X-ray attenuating material with a central less attenuating three-dimensional region. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be positioned within 10 cm from an X-ray source and rotated around an internal axis of rotation. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be symmetric around the internal axis while the central less attenuating region can be asymmetric around the internal axis. Rotating the volume by a predetermined angle around the internal axis can change the amount of attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter. The volume can be rotated by the same predetermined angle as an imaging subject or X-ray source and detector are rotated during X-ray image acquisition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the position of a part of a medical instrument with an x-ray sensitive sensor in a plane of an x-ray image using an x-ray facility having an x-ray beam source and a device, which is assigned to the beam source and influences the x-ray radiation emitted by the x-ray beam source, wherein a spatial region, in which the medical instrument is located, is scanned with x-ray radiation and at the same time x-ray radiation is detected with the x-ray-sensitive sensor with the device for influencing the x-ray radiation rotating at constant speed, the rotation being synchronized to the receipt of signals based on x-ray radiation with the x-ray-sensitive sensor and with the position of the part of the medical instrument in the plane of an x-ray image being determined based on the x-ray radiation detected with the x-ray-sensitive sensor.

Abstract: A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.

Abstract: A multilayer optic device having an input face and an output face is provided. The optic device includes a high-index material layer having a first real refractive index 1??1 and a first absorption coefficient ?1, wherein the core comprises a first surface and a second surface, a low-index material layer having a second real refractive index 1??2 and a second absorption coefficient ?2, and a grading zone disposed between the high-index material layer and low-index material layer, the grading zone comprising a grading layer having a third real refractive index 1??3 and a third absorption coefficient ?3, such that 1??11>1??3>1??2, where at least a portion of one or more of the high-index material layer, the grading zone and the low-index layer comprises one or more corrugations along a first direction.

Abstract: A system includes a beam filter positioning device including a plate configured to support one or more beam filters, and one or more axes operable to move the plate relative to a beam line. A control mechanism is coupled to the one or more axes for controlling the movement of the axes and configured to automatically adjust the position of at least one of the one or more beam filters relative to the beam line.

Abstract: A method for selecting a radiation shaping filter is disclosed, which modifies the spatial distribution of the intensity and/or the spectrum of x-rays of an x-ray source of an imaging system. In an embodiment, anatomical measurement data of an object under examination is recorded, from which with the aid of the imaging system image data is creatable. The radiation shaping filter is selected automatically on the basis of the recorded anatomical measurement data of the object under examination. An imaging system, in which a radiation shaping filter is selected, is further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filtering of X-ray radiation generated at multiple focal spots. For the generation of multiple-energy X-ray radiation, an X-ray tube (10) for generating multiple-energy X-ray radiation is provided that comprises an anode (12) and a filter unit (14). The anode comprises at least a first (16) and a second focal spot position (18), which are offset from each other in an offset direction (20) transverse to an X-ray radiation projection direction.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a grating, in particular an absorption grating, having a grating constant of less than 100 ?m, by using a solution of superparamagnetic colloidal nanocrystal clusters (CNCs), a solvent liquid and a photocurable resin, with the following steps: —alignment of the CNCs in the solution by an external magnetic field, —exposure of the solution, so that the resin is cured and grating structures of an intended grating constant are formed, and —removal of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for filtering radio-frequency electromagnetic beams, in particular x-rays, include a fluid container containing a ferrofluid which at least partially absorbs the electromagnetic beams. A distribution of the ferrofluid within the fluid container can be varied by using an applied magnetic gradient field. An irradiation apparatus and a device for irradiating an object are also provided.

Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a multi-position x-ray filter having a filter element configured to spectrally filter a beam of x-rays and a magnet structure configured to selectively generate a magnetic field to cause the filter element to move between filter and non-filter positions. A CT imaging system computer causes an x-ray source to emit x-rays at each of a first kVp and a second kVp and control the multi-position x-ray filter to position the filter element in the non-filter position during emission of the x-rays at the first kVp and in the filter position during emission of the x-rays at the second kVp. The computer causes current to be provided to the magnet structure so as to generate a magnetic field configured to move the filter element to the filter and non-filter positions at high frequency, into and out of a path of the beam of x-rays.

Abstract: A CT imaging system includes a multi-position x-ray filter having a filter element configured to spectrally filter a beam of x-rays and a magnet structure configured to selectively generate a magnetic field to cause the filter element to move between filter and non-filter positions. A CT imaging system computer causes an x-ray source to emit x-rays at each of a first kVp and a second kVp and control the multi-position x-ray filter to position the filter element in the non-filter position during emission of the x-rays at the first kVp and in the filter position during emission of the x-rays at the second kVp. The computer causes current to be provided to the magnet structure so as to generate a magnetic field configured to move the filter element to the filter and non-filter positions at high frequency, into and out of a path of the beam of x-rays.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for smoothing of edges in images to remove irregularities are disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of image processing includes, identifying an edge in an image having an associated set of edge characteristics, determining the associated set of edge characteristics, and applying a low pass filter to a pixel of the edge based on the associated set of edge characteristics to generate a second image based on the image, wherein the edge in the image is smoothed in the second image. The method further includes generating a third image which is a blend of the original image and the second (edge-smoothed) image based on the associated set of edge characteristics.

Abstract: An X-ray control unit using a monocrystalline material which controls only a specific wavelength of X-rays, by using the monocrystalline material as a filter. The X-ray control unit includes a light source configured to generate X-rays, an X-ray control filter formed of a monocrystalline material having grown in one direction and configured to filter the X-rays generated by the light source to reflect and transmit characteristic X-rays, and an adjustor configured to adjust the light source and the X-ray control filter to arbitrary angles. Since X-rays having a specific wavelength can be selectively used by using a filter, the X-rays can be easily controlled and their intensity can be easily regulated. A characteristic line of the X-rays can be controlled and their intensity can be regulated without directly controlling an X-ray source.

Abstract: An imaging system including a source (310) having a focal spot (406) that emits a radiation beam that traverses an examination region, a radiation sensitive detector array (316) having a plurality of pixels that detects radiation traversing the examination region and generates projection data indicative of the detected radiation, and a filter (314), disposed between the source and the examination region, that filters peripheral regions of the emitted radiation, wherein the filter includes two separate and moveable regions (402), each region having a substantially same thickness and constant homogeneity.

Abstract: An X-ray measurement apparatus includes an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray to irradiate a specimen with the X-ray, a collimator configured to shape a beam of the X-ray emitted from the X-ray source into a sliced fan-shaped beam x-ray, a flux shield configured to block a part of a flux of the fan-shaped beam X-ray so as to suppress beam hardening while adjusting an energy intensity distribution of the flux, the flux shield being placed between the collimator and the specimen, and an X-ray detector configured to detect a dose transmitted through the specimen.

Abstract: A method of validating a compensator for use in a radiation therapy machine to treat a cancer patient involves determining a radiation treatment plan based on a compensator description file that includes data representative of an actual machined surface of the compensator. The plan includes operating parameters of the radiation therapy machine, and this plan is compared against actual radiation measurements taken during a non-patient test of the radiation therapy machine with the compensator mounted to the machine. If the comparison results in a match, the compensator is validated for use in the radiation therapy machine to treat the cancer patient.

Abstract: Gratings for analyzing the interference image in interferometers for phase contrast X-ray tomography, comprising a carrier and grating webs produced from at least two different materials, method for producing the same and use thereof.

Abstract: A multilayer optic device having an input face and an output face is provided. The optic device includes a high-index material layer having a first real refractive index 1??1 and a first absorption coefficient ?1, wherein the core comprises a first surface and a second surface, a low-index material layer having a second real refractive index 1??2 and a second absorption coefficient ?2, and a grading zone disposed between the high-index material layer and low-index material layer, the grading zone comprising a grading layer having a third real refractive index 1??3 and a third absorption coefficient ?3, such that 1??1 1>1??3>1??2, where at least a portion of one or more of the high-index material layer, the grading zone and the low-index layer comprises one or more corrugations along a first direction.

Abstract: A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.

Abstract: It is desirable to achieve a co-incident investigative kV source for a therapeutic MV source—a so-called “beams-eye-view” source. It has been suggested that bremsstrahlung radiation from an electron window be employed; we propose a practical structure for achieving this which can switch easily between a therapeutic beam and a beam-eye-view diagnostic beam capable of offering good image resolution. Such a radiation source comprises an electron gun, a pair of targets locatable in the path of a beam produced by the electron gun, one target of the pair being of a material with a lower atomic number than the other, and an electron absorber insertable into and withdrawable from the path of the beam. In a preferred form, the electron gun is within a vacuum chamber, and the pair of targets are located at a boundary of the vacuum chamber. The lower atomic number target can be Nickel and the higher atomic number target Copper and/or Tungsten.

Abstract: An energy modulator for use with a particle source that provides a beam of particles includes a first block moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the first block is at the second position, it is in a path of the beam, and a second block moveable relative to the first block, wherein the second block and the first block are offset from each other in a direction of the beam, wherein the first block has a first energy absorption characteristic, and the second block has a second energy absorption characteristic that is different from the first energy absorption characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to x-ray filters in a collimator for controlling the energy of an x-ray beam along a projection axis in computed tomography systems. According to the invention, the filter assembly comprises a filter element for attenuating the x-ray beam, and at least a support plate which fixes the filter element. The filter element and the support plate are notch-shaped in the center part of the filter assembly along a direction perpendicular to the projection axis. The design may free space to be used by other collimator parts and further allows use of more than one filter element in a filter assembly for backup purposes. This simplifies replacement of a defective x-ray filter in the field.

Abstract: A filter capable of adjusting spectrum in multiple stages and that capable of attaining the reduction of size, as well as an X-ray imaging system having such a filter, are provided. The filter, which is for adjusting the spectrum of passing radiation, comprises a support plate having an aperture for passage therethrough of radiation, plural filter plates supported by the filter plate and having mutually different filter characteristics, and moving device for moving the plural filter plates selectively to a position to close the aperture and a position to open the aperture.

Abstract: A system for modulating a fan beam for radiation treatment employs shutters that may move rapidly into and out of different beamlets of a fan beam, the shutters having a systematic weighting so that a limited number of shutters may obtain a far greater number of regularly spaced energy reductions.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a projection system configured to project the radiation beam onto a substrate, and a filter system for filtering debris particles out of the radiation beam. The filter system includes a plurality of foils for trapping the debris particles, a support for holding the plurality of foils, and a cooling system having a surface that is arranged to be cooled. The cooling system and the support are positioned with respect to each other such that a gap is formed between the surface of the cooling system and the support. The cooling system is further arranged to inject gas into the gap.

Abstract: The objective is to obtain a bolus, with which there can be formed an irradiation field that is accurately suited to the depth-direction shape of an irradiation subject, and a particle beam therapy system. An irradiation orbit of a particle beam is defined by a first slant with respect to a first axis that starts from a first reference point, that is perpendicular to a beam axis, and that includes the first reference point and by a second slant with respect to a second axis that is perpendicular to the beam axis and the first axis; the shape of a bolus is set in such a way that the path length, of a particle beam, within the bolus in each of the irradiation orbits defined for combinations within a predetermined range among combinations of the first slant and the second slant, compensates the path length from a body surface to a to-be-irradiated portion.

Abstract: A method for creating a therapy plan for a particle therapy, in which a filter is used to adjust the depth of penetration of the particle beam and an immobilization device is used to immobilize a body region of a patient to be treated, includes adjusting the geometry of a deformable mass of a filter to the geometry of the immobilization device. The deformable filter mass is applied, at least partially, to the immobilization device. A planning data record is obtained with recordings of the filter, so that the properties of the filter are determined on the basis of the recordings and are used in the therapy plan.

Abstract: A filter changing assembly that can be used in, for example, a radiology system includes shape filters that can used to shape a radiation beam and that can be moved back-and-forth, for example. The filter changing assembly also includes beam hardening filters that can be used to change the energy spectrum of the radiation beam, and that also can be moved back-and-forth, for example. The filter changing assembly includes a control system that can be used to select at least one of the filters and automatically move the selected filter from one position to another position.

Abstract: There is provided a particle beam irradiation system so as to provide the dose distribution having more accuracy.

Abstract: A computed tomography scanner is disclosed for performing a spiral scan. In at least one embodiment, the computed tomography scanner includes a rotatable X-ray emitter for generating a beam fan and an X-ray detector, positioned diametrically opposite to the emitter, and an associated evaluation unit. In at least one embodiment, provision is made for an X-ray filter arranged downstream of the X-ray emitter, the position of the X-ray filter being correlated to that of the X-ray detector. Further, the X-ray filter is partly inserted into the beam fan only during operation for generating an unfiltered and, simultaneously, a filtered radiation component of the beam fan, wherein the radiation components have different X-ray spectra and wherein the evaluation unit is designed for separate evaluation of a measurement signal of the unfiltered radiation component and a measurement signal of the filtered radiation component, to obtain dual-energy images.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an x-ray flux management device that adaptively attenuates an x-ray beam to limit the incident flux reaching a subject and radiographic detectors in potentially high-flux areas while not affecting the incident flux and detector measurements in low-flux regions. While the invention is particularly well-suited for CT, the invention is also applicable with other x-ray imaging systems. In addition to reducing the required detector system dynamic range, the present invention provides an added advantage of reducing radiation dose.

Abstract: 3D reconstructions can be calculated from grayscale X-ray images taken at different angular positions of an X-ray source and detector rotatable about a common axis. In the present case, X-ray radiation is applied to the object to be imaged such that one half of the X-ray detector receives radiation which differs in one characteristic from the radiation received by the second half of the detector via the object. A kind of dual-energy imaging can then be carried out in a single pass through the angular positions, enabling two 3D reconstructions to be generated simultaneously and then merged.

Abstract: A filter includes a plurality of filter plates for adjusting X-ray energy spectrum, a plurality of rails for fixedly supporting the filter plates, a plurality of cams which are respectively provided with a groove curve on a surface thereof, a driving wheel for driving the cams, and a plurality of link levers, each link lever being connected to one of the filter plates at one end and being mounted to an axis at an opposite end such that the link lever is rotatable about the axis, and each link lever being provided with a pin which is in cooperation with the groove curve of the corresponding cam so that the link lever proceeds with a reciprocating movement according to rotation of the corresponding cam to move the filter connected to it into or out of the X-ray passing space. The plurality of cams are respectively located at different sides of the driving wheel to move the filter plates into the X-ray passing space from different directions.

Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus (10) includes spaced radiation sources (82, 84), such as anodes, which each propagate a cone-beam of radiation (40, 50) into an examination region (14). A detector (22) detects radiation which has passed through the examination region. An attenuation system (55) interposed between the radiation sources and the examination region for cone-angle dependent filtering of the cone beams. The attenuation system allows rays which contribute little to a reconstructed image to be attenuated more than rays which contribute more.

Abstract: In a device, a method and a computer-readable storage medium encoded with programming instructions to generate x-ray radiation to examine a subject with at least two spectra respectively of x-ray radiation of different average photon energies, an x-ray tube is used that has at least two foci that are different from one another, and the device is operated to switch between the foci in order to generate x-ray radiation. A spectrum of x-ray radiation respectively emanates from each focus. A filter is associated with the x-ray tube such that the spectrum of x-ray radiation emanating from one of the foci is not filtered by the filter and the spectrum of x-ray radiation emanating from another of the foci is filtered by the filter, such that the average photon energy of the filtered spectrum of x-ray radiation is higher than the average photon energy of the unfiltered spectrum of x-ray radiation.

Abstract: A system includes a beam filter positioning device including a plate configured to support one or more beam filters, and one or more axes operable to move the plate relative to a beam line. A control mechanism is coupled to the one or more axes for controlling the movement of the axes and configured to automatically adjust the position of at least one of the one or more beam filters relative to the beam line.

Abstract: A method for making a beam modifier to be used in radiation therapy includes defining a region of interest in a patient that is to receive radiation, with the region of interest being defined using an anatomy coordinate system format. Radiation treatment parameters are defined for the defined region of interest, and correspond to an initial type beam modifier to be coupled to an output of a radiation device. Design data on a beam modifier to be placed on the skin of the patient is generated, with the design data being based on the defined region of interest and the defined radiation treatment parameters for the defined region of interest. The design data is in the same anatomy coordinate system format as the defined region of interest that is to receive the radiation. The design data is treated as a new region of interest, and the radiation dosage to be applied to the new region of interest is re-calculated while taking into account the beam modifier to be placed on the skin of the patient.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a grating, in particular an absorption grating, having a grating constant of less than 100 ?m, by using a solution of superparamagnetic colloidal nanocrystal clusters (CNCs), a solvent liquid and a photocurable resin, with the following steps:—alignment of the CNCs in the solution by an external magnetic field,—exposure of the solution, so that the resin is cured and grating structures of an intended grating constant are formed, and—removal of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A system includes a beam filter positioning device including a plate configured to support one or more beam filters, and one or more axes operable to move the plate relative to a beam line. A control mechanism is coupled to the one or more axes for controlling the movement of the axes and configured to automatically adjust the position of at least one of the one or more beam filters relative to the beam line.

Abstract: It is described a filter (300) for at least partially compensating for an X-ray tube (10) the target angle heel effect and preserving the tungsten spectrum of the X-rays. The filter (300) has an anode side (302) and a cathode side (304), wherein the cathode side (304) has a higher attenuation coefficient than the anode side (302). The attenuation coefficient is determined to at least partially compensate for the target angle heel effect. The filter (300) is from the same material as an anode plate (110) or the anode (108) of the X-raysource (10) which is usually tungsten or a tungsten alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam filter (10) that can particularly be used in spectral CT-applications for producing a desired intensity profile of a radiation beam without changing its spectral composition. In a preferred embodiment, the beam filter (10) comprises a stack of absorbing sheets (111) that are separated by wedge-shaped spaces (112) and focused to a radiation source (1). Furthermore, the absorbing sheets have a varying width in direct ion of the radiation. Different fractions of the radiation source (1) area are therefore masked by the beam filter (10) at different points (A, B) on a detector area (2). The absorbing sheets preferably comprise a material that is highly absorbing for the radiation to be filtered.

Abstract: Methods and systems for X-ray imaging enable inspection of an area of an object that is located separate and apart from a location of an X-ray generator. An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray generator to generate X-rays. A collimator filters the generated X-rays to consolidate the generated X-rays and move the generated X-rays in a direction parallel to a centerline axis of the collimator. A small diameter tube transmits the directed X-rays and an end retainer emits the transmitted X-rays at an inspection object. A first filter of the collimator may initially filter the generated X-rays that are not parallel to the centerline axis of the collimator by passing the X-rays through a plurality of apertures. A second filter of the collimator may consolidate the generated X-rays and move the generated X-rays in a direction parallel to the centerline axis of the collimator by passing the generated X-rays through a channel.

Abstract: Acquisition techniques for dual energy (DE) chest imaging system. Technique factors include the added x-ray filtration, kVp pair, and the allocation of dose between low- and high-energy projections, with total dose equal to or less than that of a conventional chest radiograph. Factors are described which maximize lung nodule detectability as characterized by the signal difference to noise ratio (SDNR) in DE chest images. kVp pair and dose allocation are described using a chest phantom presenting simulated lung nodules and ribs for thin, average, and thick body habitus. Low- and high-energy techniques ranged from 60-90 kVp and 120-150 kVp, respectively, with peak soft-tissue SDNR achieved at [60/120] kVp for patient thicknesses and levels of imaging dose. A strong dependence on the kVp of the low-energy projection was observed.

Abstract: A foil trap is located in a path of a radiation beam. The foil trap includes an array of conductive strips. A voltage application circuit is coupled to the strips to apply voltage differences between pairs of adjacent ones of the strips. The voltage application circuit includes a current limiting circuit arranged to limit currents to the strips to values below a threshold value above which self-sustained arc discharge may arise in the foil trap.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electromagnetic wave/particle beam spectroscopic instrument that is not easily deteriorated in spectroscopic capability, and is resistant to electromagnetic noise, vibrations, heavy sound, heat and specific particle beams of interest, particle beams other than electromagnetic waves, electric noise due to electromagnetic waves, mechanical destruction, and recoiling of solid constituent atoms and is also more resistant to radiation exposure on the detection means than the conventional energy resolving technologies.

Abstract: The disclosed CT scanner comprises at least one source of X-rays; a detector array comprising a plurality of detectors; and an X-ray filter mask arrangement disposed between the source of X-rays and detector array so as to modify the spectra of the X-rays transmitted from the source through the mask to at least some of the detectors so that the X-ray spectra detected by at least one set of detectors is different from the X-ray spectra detected by at least one other set of detectors.

Abstract: To provide a phase grating capable of acquiring, in photographing of an X-ray phase contrast image by use of X-ray with two wavelengths, an X-ray phase contrast image by a phase grating in the same size as when a single wavelength is used, provided is a phase grating used when an X-ray is directed to take an X-ray phase contrast image, the phase grating including a periodic structure for generating a phase difference between an X-ray transmitted through the structure and an X-ray not transmitted through the structure. The periodic structure has different periods in a plurality of directions in a same surface.

Abstract: A system includes a beam filter positioning device including a plate configured to support one or more beam filters, and one or more axes operable to move the plate relative to a beam line. A control mechanism is coupled to the one or more axes for controlling the movement of the axes and configured to automatically adjust the position of at least one of the one or more beam filters relative to the beam line.

Abstract: An apparatus, suited, for example, for extreme ultraviolet lithography, includes a radiation source and a processing organ for processing the radiation from the radiation source. Between the radiation source and the processing organ a filter is placed which, in the radial direction from the radiation source, comprises a plurality of foils or plates.

Abstract: An apparatus, suited, for example, for extreme ultraviolet lithography, includes a radiation source and a processing organ for processing the radiation from the radiation source. Between the radiation source and the processing organ a filter is placed which, in the radial direction from the radiation source, comprises a plurality of foils or plates.