Abstract:
The invention relates to an X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging system which has three circular gratings. The circular gratings are aligned with the optical axis of the radiation beam and a phase stepping is performed along the optical axis with the focal spot, the phase grating and/or the absorber grating. The signal measured is the phase-gradient in radial direction away from the optical axis.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an X-ray examination device by which the problems of high count rate in the construction of a spectral CT scanner based on photon counting can be overcome. The proposed X-ray examination device comprises: an X-ray source (2) for emitting an X-ray beam (4) of X-ray radiation while rotating around an imaging region (5), an X-ray detector (6) having a plurality of detector cells (61) for detecting X- ray radiation emitted by said X-ray source (2) and having passed through said imaging region (5), a control unit (9) for modulating the source current of said X-ray source (2) between at least two different source currents to obtain at least two detection data sets for at least two different X-ray fluxes, wherein the lowest X-ray flux is low enough to avoid overloading of the X-ray detector (6) in the direct X-ray beam, and a reconstruction unit (10) for reconstructing an X-ray image from said at least two detection data sets, wherein the pixel values of the pixels of said X-ray image are reconstructed taking into account whether or not the higher X-ray flux resulted in an overloading of the X-ray detector (6) at the respective detector cells.
Abstract:
A method includes detecting radiation that traverses a material having a known spectral characteristic with a radiation sensitive detector pixel that outputs a signal indicative of the detected radiation and determining a mapping between the output signal and the spectral characteristic. The method further includes determining an energy of a photon detected by the radiation sensitive detector pixel based on a corresponding output of the radiation sensitive detector pixel and the mapping.
Abstract:
An imaging apparatus based on the detection of X-ray photons, in particular for medical use, is described. The imaging apparatus comprises a radiation source (16) for generating a flow (18) of X-ray radiation, a detector (20) for detecting X-ray radiation, a control unit adapted to control the radiation source (16), to read out information from the detector (20) and to process the information into a visual image, and a device (10) for obtaining a monochromatic flow (12) of X-ray radiation. Furthermore, a device (10) is described, which comprises a positioning apparatus (34) and a crystalline element (36) mounted on the positioning apparatus (34), wherein the positioning apparatus (34) is adapted to position the crystalline element (36) relative to a flow (18) of X-ray radiation generated by a radiation source (16) such that the crystalline element (36) reflects a monochromatic flow (12) of X-ray radiation according to Bragg' s law. Finally, a corresponding calibration assembly, a method of obtaining a monochromatic flow (12) of X-ray radiation and methods of calibrating a detector element (42) of a detector (20) are described.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a detection device for detecting radiation emitted from a radiation source, wherein the detection device (6) comprises a detection surface (19) and lamellae (18) protruding from the detection surface (19), wherein the lamellae (18) comprise a first end portion (20) close to the detection surface (19) and a second end portion (21) remote from the detection surface (19) and wherein the first end portion (20) has a larger width than the second end portion (21). The invention relates further to a computed tomography apparatus comprising this detection device.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a radiation detector (200), particularly an X-ray detector, which comprises at least one sensitive layer (212) for the conversion of incident photons (X) into electrical signals. A two-dimensional array of electrodes (213) is located on the front side of the sensitive layer (212), while its back side carries a counter- electrode (211). The size of the electrodes (213) may vary in radiation direction (y) for adapting the counting workload of the electrodes. Moreover, the position of the electrodes (213) with respect to the radiation direction (y) provides information about the energy of the detected photons (X).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging system and a method for differential phase - contrast imaging of an object. To improve calibration of differential phase - contrast imaging systems and the alignment of the gratings an X-ray imaging system is provided that comprises an X-ray emitting arrangement providing at least partially coherent X-ray radiation and an X-ray detection arrangement comprising a phase- shift diffraction grating, a phase analyzer grating, and an X-ray image detector, all arranged along an optical axis. For stepping, the gratings and/or the X-ray emitting arrangement are provided with at least two actuators arranged opposite to each other with reference to the optical axis. For calibration, calibration projections are acquired without an object, wherein, the emitted X-ray radiation or one of the gratings is stepwise displaced with a calibration displacement value. For examination, measurement projections are acquired with an object, wherein the emitted X-ray radiation or one of the gratings is stepwise displaced with a measurement, a calibration projection is associated to each of the measurement projections by registering the latter with the calibration projections.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to phase-contrast imaging which visualizes the phase information of coherent radiation passing a scanned object. Focused gratings are used which reduce the creation of trapezoid profile in a projection with a particular angle to the optical axis. A laser supported method is used in combination with a dedicating etching process for creating such focused grating structures.
Abstract:
The invention relates to gratings for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging, a focus detector arrangement and X-ray system for generating phase-contrast images of an object and a method of phase-contrast imaging for examining an object of interest. In order to provide gratings with a high aspect ratio but low costs, a grating for X-ray differential phase- contrast imaging is proposed, comprising a first sub-grating (112), and at least a second sub- grating (114; 116; 118), wherein the sub-gratings each comprise a body structure (120) with bars (122) and gaps (124) being arranged periodically with a pitch (a), wherein the sub- gratings (112; 114; 116; 118) are arranged consecutively in the direction of the X-ray beam, and wherein the sub-gratings (112; 114; 116; 118) are positioned displaced to each other perpendicularly to the X-ray beam.
Abstract:
An achromatic phase-contrast imaging apparatus for examining an object of interest is provided which comprises two different phase gratings which have different pitches. Thus, the imaging apparatus yields phase-contrast information for two different energies. Thus, phase- information over a wider energy band can be used.