Abstract:
A method includes generating, via a dose estimator (208), a dose map indicative of an estimated dose deposited for a subject based on acquisition protocol parameter values of an acquisition protocol of an imaging system (100), and generating, via a noise estimator (210), at least one of a noise map indicative of an estimated image noise based on the acquisition protocol parameter values or a contrast-to-noise map based on the noise map and an attenuation map. The method further includes displaying, via a display (216), the dose and noise maps in a human readable format.
Abstract:
Adaptively controlling an imaging system (200, 205) includes constructing model feature characteristics (105) of a process over time, determining parameters and commands (110) for controlling the imaging system for each state of the process, performing data acquisition (120) for the process, extracting current features (130) of the process from the acquired data, matching (135) the current features (130) with the model feature characteristics (105) to determine a state of the process (140), and controlling the data acquisition based on the state of the process to produce optimized data.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided to improve large field of view CT image acquisition by using at least two scanning procedures: (i) one with the radiation source and detector centered and (ii) one in an offset configuration. The imaging data obtained from both of the scanning procedures is used in the reconstruction of the image. In addition, a method and apparatus are provided for detecting motion in a reconstructed image by generating a motion map that is indicative of the regions of the reconstructed image that are affected by motion artifacts. Optionally, the motion map may be used for motion estimation and/or motion compensation to prevent or diminish motion artifacts in the resulting reconstructed image. An optional method for generating a refined motion map is also provided.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided to improve CT image acquisition using a displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102) and a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined based on the size of the object (108). The source and the detector may be adjusted to vary the size of the transverse field of view. The first data set acquired by the detector may be reconstructed and used to simulate missing projection data that could not be acquired by the detector at each projection angle. The measured projection data and the simulated projection data may be used to obtain a second data set. The second data set may be compared to the first data set to produce a corrected data set.
Abstract:
A method, a computer program as well as a corresponding apparatus for eliminating scatter artefacts that corrupt an image of an object using computed tomography, wherein X-ray projections of the object are at least partially truncated, whereas the method comprises the steps of: reconstructing a truncated image of the object with a limited field of view from the projections; constructing a model of the object in an extended field of view using the truncated image of the object; deriving a scatter estimate by means of Monte-Carlo simulation using the model of object; correcting a projection of the object for X-ray scatter based on the scatter estimate; reconstructing a scatter-corrected image using the corrected projections.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a freshness indicator (9) for a chilled beverage and in particular to a beverage dispensing device (1) with a freshness indicator (9) for a chilled beverage, wherein the beverage dispensing device (1) comprises an outer housing (7), a tapping device (2) for dispensing a beverage, a beverage container (4) being placeable in the outer housing (7) and connectable with the tapping device (2), and the outer housing (7) functioning as a chiller (8), characterized in that the beverage freshness indicator device (9) comprises: a display (10) for indicating the storage temperature, maximum storage period, actual freshness of the beverage, the time left until expiry of the freshness and/or the date of expiry of the freshness, a data input unit (11) for the input of data and/or means (12) for recording replacement of the beverage container (4), at least one temperature sensor (13) for measuring the storage temperature of the beverage, —a temperature controller (14) for adjusting the cooling temperature of the chiller (8), a data storage unit (15) for storing the freshness criteria, a signal processing unit (16), which temperature sensor (13) transmits a signal regarding the current beverage storage temperature to the signal processing unit (16) and the signal processing unit (16) calculates, depending on the recorded storage temperature period and based on stored freshness criteria, the actual freshness of the beverage, the time left until expiry of the freshness of the beverage and/or the date of expiry of the freshness of the beverage, and the signal processing unit (16) transmits the calculated data to the display (10).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for iterative scatter correction of a data set of x-ray projections (10) of an object (1) for generation of a reconstruction image of said object. In particular for correction of artifacts caused by scatter or a truncation of x-ray projections, an apparatus is proposed, which requires less computational effort and which thus allows a correction in real-time, comprising: a model estimation unit (41) for estimating model parameters of an object model for said object by an iterative optimization of a deviation of forward projections, calculated by use of said object model and the geometry parameters for said x-ray projections, from the corresponding x-ray projections, —a scatter estimation unit (42) for estimating the amount of scatter present in said x-ray projections by use of said object model, and a correction unit (43) for correcting said x-ray projections by subtracting the estimated amount of scatter from said x-ray projections for determining an optimized object model using said corrected x-ray projections, said optimized object model being used in another iteration of said scatter correction, said scatter correction being iteratively carried out until a predetermined stop criterion has been reached. Further, corresponding apparatus for extension of truncated projections and a reconstruction apparatus is proposed.
Abstract:
A method includes generating, via a dose estimator, a dose map indicative of an estimated dose deposited in a subject based on acquisition protocol parameter values of an acquisition protocol of an imaging system, and generating, via a noise estimator, at least one of a noise map indicative of an estimated image noise based on the acquisition protocol parameter values or a contrast-to-noise map based on the noise map and an attenuation map. The method further includes displaying, via a display, the dose and noise maps in a human readable format.
Abstract:
A flow pattern in a tube system is calculated from acquired image data. From the flow pattern virtual image data are generated and compared with the acquired data in order to determine a quality measure for the usability of the generated flow pattern at characteristic locations.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for generating an image of a region of interest of an object. The imaging apparatus comprises a radiation source (2) for emitting radiation (4) and a detector (6) for measuring the radiation (4) after having traversed the region of interest and for generating measured detection values depending on the measured radiation (4). The imaging apparatus further comprises an attenuation element for attenuating the radiation (4) before traversing the region of interest and an attenuation element scatter values providing unit (12) for providing attenuation element scatter values, which depend on scattering of the radiation (4) caused by the attenuation element. A detection values correction unit (17) corrects the measured detection values based on the provided attenuation element scatter values, and a reconstruction unit (18) reconstructs an image of the region of interest from the corrected detection values.