Abstract: A radiographic image which is captured by irradiating a subject with radiation is acquired. A body thickness information acquisition unit acquires body thickness information of a subject. The radiographic image may be analyzed to acquire the body thickness information. A noise removal unit removes quantum noise included in the radiographic image on the basis of the body thickness information, using a filtering process using, for example, a smoothing filter.

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus (400, 500) comprising a radiotherapy apparatus (402), a mechanical positioning system, and a magnetic resonance imaging system (404). The radiotherapy apparatus comprises a radiotherapy source (408). The radiotherapy apparatus is adapted for rotating the radiotherapy source at least partially around a subject support. The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a memory containing machine executable instructions (468, 470, 472, 474, 476).

Abstract: A detector and methods for inspecting material on the basis of scintillator coupled by wavelength-shifting optical fiber to one or more photo-detectors, with a temporal integration of the photo-detector signal. An unpixelated volume of scintillation medium converts energy of incident penetrating radiation into scintillation light which is extracted from a scintillation light extraction region by a plurality of optical waveguides. This geometry provides for efficient and compact detectors, enabling hitherto unattainable geometries for backscatter detection and for energy discrimination of incident radiation. Additional energy-resolving transmission configurations are enabled as are skew- and misalignment compensation.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus and method is provided. An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray radiation unit configured to radiate a first X-ray and a second X-ray onto a target along a predetermined path, an X-ray detection unit configured to detect the radiated first X-ray and the second X-ray that have passed through the target, and an image data generation unit configured to generate cross-section data that respectively corresponds to the detected first X-ray and the detected second X-ray and represents a predetermined cross-sectional layer of the target. The first X-ray is radiated at a location on the predetermined path that is different from a location on the predetermined path at which the second X-ray is radiated, the first X-ray including X-ray spectra that are different from X-ray spectra of the second X-ray.

Abstract: An X-ray moving image radiographing apparatus includes an X-ray detector configured to detect an X-ray transmitting through a subject to acquire a subject image, an image processing unit configured to process an X-ray radiographic image output from the X-ray detector, and a control unit configured to capture a mask image by selectively scanning X-ray focal positions of an X-ray source which has a plurality of X-ray focal points so that an X-ray incident angle varies with respect to a target point of the subject, and to capture a moving image after a predetermined work is performed on the subject by selectively scanning X-ray focal positions of the X-ray source similar to the scanning operation used to capture the mask image.

Abstract: An x-ray computed tomography apparatus has one anode ring in a vacuum housing surrounding an examination volume, wherein a focus of an x-ray source revolves on the anode ring to expose the examination volume with an x-ray beam from different directions, and a detector system arranged on a rotating frame that can rotate around a system axis. The detector system serves to detect the x-ray radiation exiting from the examination volume, wherein the detector system and the focus can rotate around the system axis synchronously and in the same rotation direction with a rotation angle offset by 180°. The apparatus also includes a computer to process the measurement values acquired by the detector system. The anode ring can be driven such that it rotates around the system axis, and the rotation direction of the anode ring and the rotation direction of the focus around the system axis are opposite while a rotation of the focus around the system axis ensues.

Abstract: A compact, reliable scanning electron-beam x-ray source achieves reduced complexity and cost. In particular, the x-ray source includes an electron beam that is propagated parallel to an x-ray target and is swept across the target in response to a moving magnetic cross field. Rather than scanning the beam by deflecting it about a single point, the point of deflection is translated along the target length, dramatically reducing the volume of the device. The magnetic cross field is translated along the target length using either mechanical systems to move permanent magnets, or electrical systems to energize an array of electromagnets.

Abstract: A computer tomograph (1) that comprises at least a stationary electron source for generating an electron beam (13), a ring-shaped, stationary X-ray source with a largely ring-shaped target (14) enclosing a measuring field (7), media for coaxially guiding (22) the electron beam (13) in the X-ray source (5) along a circular path to the ring-shaped target (14), as well as media for deflecting (21) the electron beam (13) towards the target (14), in order to generate an X-ray cluster (8) that rotates concentrically around itself for irradiating the measuring field (7) from various directions. Furthermore, the computer tomograph (1) comprises a stationary detector (6) executed as a ring shape and consisting of numerous detector elements from which a computer calculates the measured values to create an image of the examined object in the measuring field (7). The ring-shaped target (14) has numerous discrete focal areas (20) that can be scanned discontinuously by a focal point of the electron beam (13?).

Abstract: In one aspect, an x-ray scanning device is provided. The x-ray scanning device comprises a target adapted to convert electron-beam (e-beam) energy into x-ray energy, a detector array positioned to detect at least some x-rays emitted from the target, and a conveyer mechanism adapted to convey items to be inspected through an inspection region formed by the target and the detector array, wherein the target and the detector array are rotated out of alignment with each other such that x-rays emitted from the target impinge on diametrically positioned detectors of the detector array without passing through near-side detectors of the detector array.

Abstract: An optic device, system and method for imaging are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property, the solid phase layers being situated between an output face and a non-flat input face. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The imaging system includes a source of electrons and a target, with an array of the optic devices coupled thereto to form limited cone beams of X-ray radiation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing and acquiring radiation data comprises sensing radiation events with a multi-modality detector. The detector comprises solid state crystals forming a matrix of pixels which may be arranged in rows and columns, and has a radiation detection field for sensing radiation events. The radiation events for each pixel are counted by an electronic module attached to each pixel. The electronic module comprises a threshold analyzer for analyzing the radiation events. The threshold analyzer identifies valid events by comparing an energy level associated with the radiation event to a predetermined threshold. The electronic module further comprises at least a first counter for counting the valid events.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a device for forming an image which is composed of a plurality of sub-areas, a read-out unit being associated with each sub-area and image data of adjoining image areas of neighboring sub-areas being evaluated in order to mitigate differences in amplification, which device includes a detector with a plurality of sensor elements for forming image data, read-out units which are associated with the sub-areas of the image, an analysis unit which is arranged to evaluate image data from adjoining image areas of neighboring sub-areas and to generate correction data, a correction unit which is arranged to correct incorrect image data by means of correction data, thus enabling a regular and accurate recalibration or correction of non-linear amplifier behavior to be performed without necessitating an additional X-ray dose or interventions by the user.

Abstract: In a method for computed tomography and a computed tomography apparatus for scanning a subject with a conical ray beam emanating from a focus that detects a matrix-like detector array, the focus is moved relative to the subject on a spiral path around a system axis, and the detector array supplies output data corresponding to the incident radiation, and images having an inclined image plane are reconstructed from output data respectively supplied during the movement of the focus on a spiral segment, the image planes of these images are inclined by an inclination angle ? around a first axis intersecting the system axis at a right angle and also are inclined by a tilt angle ? with respect to the system axis around a second axis that intersects the first axis as well as the system axis at a right angle.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for imaging an object (4) on the remote side of a barrier (6). The apparatus has source means (2) for scanning the object (4) through the barrier (6) with radiation and mask means (8) having at a least one radiation transparent area wherein the radiation from the source is masked thereby to project on to the object (4) at least one scanning beam of radiation. The apparatus (1) also has detector means (10) for detecting radiation reflected from any scanned point on the object (4) and image generation means for generating an image of the object (4) from the detected radiation.

Abstract: The invention involves a radiological image detection system capable of cooperating with a scanning X-ray generator designed to produce X-ray radiation scanning a surface to be imaged. The scanning X-ray radiation irradiates, portion after portion, the surface to be imaged. The X-ray radiation from a portion carries a radiological image of the portion. The detection system comprises an image sensor which is stationary with respect to the scanning and which is dimensioned so as to be able to acquire an image of the surface to be imaged by the X-ray radiation from the portion. In addition, it comprises a device for limiting, at a given time, the acquisition of the image sensor to that of the image of the portion irradiated at that time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a device for forming an image which is composed of a plurality of sub-areas, a read-out unit being associated with each sub-area and image data of adjoining image areas of neighboring sub-areas being evaluated in order to mitigate differences in amplification, which device includes a detector with a plurality of sensor elements for forming image data, read-out units which are associated with the sub-areas of the image, an analysis unit which is arranged to evaluate image data from adjoining image areas of neighboring sub-areas and to generate correction data, a correction unit which is arranged to correct incorrect image data by means of correction data, thus enabling a regular and accurate recalibration or correction of non-linear amplifier behavior to be performed without necessitating an additional X-ray dose or interventions by the user.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a programmable detector framing node controlling generation of radiation and controlling radioscopic image detection. Radioscopic image data is acquired and communicated independently of a host computer operating system. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and communicates received radioscopic image data to host memory through a computer communication bus. Image data is received from a selected flat panel detector of a plurality of different flat panel detectors. The image data is selectively reordered according to parameters of the selected flat panel detector before communication to host memory.

Abstract: A detector framing node controls generation of radiation and radioscopic image detection Radioscopic image data is acquired and communicated independently of a host computer operating system. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and receives the image data by way of an image detection interface into a memory unit. The image data is output from the memory unit to host memory of the host computer through a computer communication interface and under the control of a control unit. The detector framing node selects a flat panel detector from a plurality of different flat panel detectors and the image data is selectively reordered according to parameters of the selected flat panel detector before communication to host memory.

Abstract: A radiation source is disclosed comprising a source of charged particles that travel along a path. Target material lies along the path to generate radiation upon impact by the beam. A magnet is provided to deflect the beam prior to impacting the target. The magnet may generate a time-varying magnetic field or a constant magnetic field. A constant magnetic field may be varied spatially across the beam. The magnet may be an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. In one example, deflection of the beam results in impact of the beam on the target along a plurality of axes. In another example, portions of the beam are differentially deflected. The source may thereby irradiate an object to be scanned with more uniform radiation. The charged particles may be electrons or protons and the radiation may be X-ray or gamma ray radiation, or neutrons. Scanning systems incorporating such sources, methods of generating radiation and methods of examining objects are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed for use in low-light environments or environments where low-levels of such radiation is desirable. Examples of such environments are night photography, laparoscopy, and mammography. In the case of radiation that is other than visible light, a radiation converter and method for fabricating same is disclosed. The radiation converter comprises a film of heavy scintillator (e.g. CdWO4) coated on a fiber optical window to efficiently convert the radiation into visible light. The visible light is passed into a signal amplifier employing an electron-bombarded charge-couple device (EBCCD) to amplify the signal. Novel methods of performing three-dimension imaging using this system as well as removing the effects of high speed movement are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a programmable detector framing node controlling generation of radiation and controlling radioscopic image detection. Radioscopic image data is acquired by the detector framing node and communicated to a host memory of a host computer independently of a host computer operating system. Image data is received from a flat panel detector and is selectively reordered according to parameters of the selected flat panel detector before communication to the host memory. The detector framing node includes an image detection interface to receive the image data and a control unit to select a predetermined portion of the image data for storage into a detector memory unit before communication to the host memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting structural features of selected portions of an electronic device using a direct conversion X-ray detector. An manufactured device under inspection is positioned under an irradiating beam of X-rays. Those X-rays that are transmitted through the device are collected by a direct conversion detector, which converts the collected X-rays directly into electrical signals in an X-ray conversion layer. The electrical signals have an intensity that is non-uniformly proportional to the intensity of the transmitted X-rays such that the electrical signals represent the radiographic density of at least portions of the electronic device under inspection. A signal analysis system then converts the electrical signals into numerical information that is representative of specific features of the device under inspection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating electronically steerable beams of sequential penetrating radiation. Charged particles from a source are formed into a beam and accelerated to a target. Electromagnetic radiation generated by the target is emitted with an angular distribution which is a function of the target thickness and the energy of the particles. A beam of particles is produced by allowing the radiation to exit from an apparatus through a collimator proximal to the target. The direction of the beam is determined by the point of radiation production and the corresponding array of transmission regions of the collimator.

Abstract: A method for scanning an x-ray target in a reverse geometry x-ray imaging system with a charged particle beam is disclosed. An aspect of the invention is directed to scanning patterns for moving an electron beam across the target assembly to generate x-rays, in which a charged particle beam is moved across a plurality of sets of positions on a target assembly, wherein particular positions or sets of positions on the target assembly are rescanned a plurality of times during a single frame. The length of time between a first and a last illumination of the object during the frame is sufficiently small to prevent image blurring during image reconstruction.