Abstract:
A method includes performing a first pass of an iterative image reconstruction in which an intermediate first spectral image and an intermediate second spectral image are generated using an iterative image reconstruction algorithm, start first spectral and second spectral images, and initial first spectral regularization and second spectral regularization parameters, updating at least one of the initial first spectral regularization or second spectral regularization parameters, thereby creating an updated first spectral regularization or second spectral regularization parameter, based at least on a sharpness of one of the intermediate first spectral or second spectral images, and performing a subsequent pass of the iterative image reconstruction in which an updated intermediate first spectral and second spectral image is generated using the iterative image reconstruction algorithm, the intermediate first spectral and second spectral images, and the updated first spectral regularization and Compton scatter regularization parameters.
Abstract:
A filter assembly for use in a helical computed tomography system having an x-ray source for projecting x-ray beams along a projection axis is presented, the filter assembly including a first filter element for attenuating at least a portion of the x-ray beams, the first filter element constructed as a background-wedge for attenuating x-rays having a large aperture and a second filter element for attenuating at least a portion of the x-ray beams, the second filter element constructed to create a ridge. The second filter element may be rotated with respect to or adjusted in relation with or removed or replaced from the filter assembly to allow for adaptation to different helical pitch values.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of Computed Tomography imaging comprising: a. Performing a single acquisition of image data from at least two contrast agents into a blood vessel network, a first contrast agent among said at least two contrast agents having been in said blood vessel network for a longer time than a second contrast agent among said at least two contrast agents, b. Processing said image data using K-Edge detection and/or iodine delineation to separate data associated with each contrast agents in order to obtain a concentration map of each contrast agent, c. Determining from said image data a first part of the blood vessel network comprising both the first contrast agent and the second contrast agent, and a second part of the blood vessel network comprising only the first contrast agent, d. Calculating a partial blood volume map of the first part of the blood vessel network based on the total amount of second contrast agent and on the concentration map of the second contrast agent, e. Calculating a partial blood volume map of the second part of the blood vessel network based on the total amount of first contrast agent, on the concentration map of the first contrast agent and on the partial blood volume map of the first part of the blood vessel network.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an X-ray source (2) for an imaging device comprising at least three electrodes; a power supply configured to provide a primary gap voltage between a first (13) and a second (12) electrode among said at least three electrodes, said primary gap voltage having an AC component, causing a transport of electrons from the first electrode toward the second electrode; and a controller configured to supply a variable potential on a third electrode (14) among said at least three electrodes, wherein the X-ray source is configured to generate an X-ray beam with an energy spectrum based on the voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, and wherein the controller is configured to set the variable potential on the third electrode to a value causing at least a partial blocking of said transport of electrons, whenever a predetermined condition is met.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to X-ray imaging. In order to reduce X-ray dose exposure during X-ray image acquisition, an X-ray detector is provided that is suitable for phase contrast and/or dark-field imaging. The X-ray detector comprises a scintillator layer (12) and a photodiode layer (14). The scintillator layer is configured to convert incident X- ray radiation (16) modulated by a phase grating structure (18) into light to be detected by the photodiode layer. The scintillator layer comprises an array of scintillator channels (20) periodically arranged with a pitch (22) forming an analyzer grating structure. The scintillator layer and the photodiode layer form a first detector layer (24) comprising a matrix of pixels (26). Each pixel comprises an array of photodiodes (28), each photodiode forming a sub-pixel (30). Adjacent sub-pixels during operation receive signals having mutually shifted phases. The sub-pixels that during operation receive signals having mutually identical phase form a phase group per pixel. The signals received by the sub-pixels within the same phase group per pixel during operation are combined to provide one phase group signal (32). The phase group signals of different phase groups during operation are obtained in one image acquisition. In an example, the pitch of the scintillator channels is detuned by applying a correcting factor c to a fringe period (Pfringe) of a periodic interference pattern (35) created by the phase grating structure, wherein 0
Abstract:
The present invention relates to improved assessment of a stenosis in a blood vessel in a body by comparing hemodynamic properties of the stenosed blood vessel with a substantially symmetric different blood vessel in the same body.
Abstract:
An image processing system comprising: an input port (IN) for receiving two input images acquired of an object. Respective contrast in said images encodes information on different physical properties of the object. The images being converted from a signal detected at a detector (D) of an imaging apparatus (IM). A differentiator of the image processing system forms respective differences from pairs of image points from the respective input images. An edge evaluator (EV) computes, based on said differences, an edge score for at least one of said pairs of image points. The score is based on a measure that represents or is derivable from a conditional noise likelihood function. The likelihood function is based on a probability density that models noise for said signal. Said score is output through an output port (OUT).
Abstract:
A method displays spectral image data reconstructed from spectral projection data with a first reconstruction algorithm and segmented image data reconstructed from the same spectral projection data with a different reconstruction algorithm, which is different from the first reconstruction algorithm. The method includes reconstructing spectral projection data with the first reconstruction algorithm, which generates the spectral image data and displaying the spectral image data. The method further includes reconstructing the spectral projection data with the different reconstruction algorithm, which generates segmentation image data, segmenting the segmentation image data, which produces the segmented image data, and displaying the segmented image data.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a perfusion imaging device and method, wherein perfusion data of at least a tissue of interest is obtained from medical imaging and blood pulsation parameters are determined on or near the tissue of interest without physical contact to a patient. Perfusion phase parameters are determined based on the perfusion data and the blood pulsation parameters
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a corresponding imaging method. To avoid the disadvantages of a pile-up effect in the detection unit, an imaging apparatus is proposed comprising a radiation source (2) for emitting radiation from a focal region (20) through an imaging area (5), a detection unit (6) for detecting radiation from said imaging area (5), said detection unit comprising an anti-scatter grid (62) and a detector (61), a gantry (1) to which said radiation source (2) and said detection unit (6) are mounted and which allows rotation of said radiation source (2) and said detection unit (6) around said imaging area, and a controller (9) for controlling said detection unit (6) to detect radiation at a plurality of projection positions during rotation around said imaging area and for manipulating the position, setting and/or orientation of at least a part of said radiation source (2) and/or said detection unit (6) at first projection positions (80) so that the radiation incident on the detector (61) at said first projection positions is attenuated by anti-scatter grid (62) to a larger extent compared to second projection positions (80) representing the remaining projection positions.