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:
An imaging system includes a radiation source (106, T1, T2, T3) that rotates about an examination region and emits radiation that traverses the examination region. The radiation source (106, T1, T2, T3) emits radiation having an energy spectrum that is selectively alternately switched between at least two different energy spectra during an imaging procedure. The system further includes an energy-resolving detector array (116, D1, D2, D3) that detects radiation traversing the examination region. The energy-resolving detector array (116, D1, D2, D3) resolves the detected radiation over at least two different energy ranges and produces energy-resolved output signals as a function of both emission energy spectrum and energy range. The system further includes a reconstructor (126) that performs a spectral reconstruction of the energy-resolved output signals. In another embodiment, the detector array (116) includes a photon-counting detector array (116).
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a local minimum identifier (408) that identifies a local minimum between overlapping pulses in a signal, wherein the pulses have amplitudes that are indicative of the energy of successively detected photons from a multi-energetic radiation beam by a radiation sensitive detector, and a pulse pile-up error corrector (232) that corrects, based on the local minimum, for a pulse pile-up energy-discrimination error when energy-discriminating the pulses using at least two thresholds corresponding to different energy levels. This technique may reduce spectral error when counting photons at a high count rate.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a local minimum identifier (408) that identifies a local minimum between overlapping pulses in a signal, wherein the pulses have amplitudes that are indicative of the energy of successively detected photons from a multi-energetic radiation beam by a radiation sensitive detector, and a pulse pile-up error corrector (232) that corrects, based on the local minimum, for a pulse pile-up energy-discrimination error when energy-discriminating the pulses using at least two thresholds corresponding to different energy levels. This technique may reduce spectral error when counting photons at a high count rate.
Abstract:
The application of CSCT to baggage inspection necessitates a large field of view, resulting in a large gantry that has to sustain large centrifugal forces. Accordingly, various CSCT geometries are described which enable smaller gantry sizes. In particular, a CSCT scanner comprising a detector unit that is not focus-centred is described.
Abstract:
The application of CSCT to baggage inspection necessitates a large field of view, resulting in a large gantry that has to sustain large centrifugal forces. Accordingly, various CSCT geometries are described which enable smaller gantry sizes. In particular, a CSCT scanner comprising a detector unit that is not focus-centred is described.
Abstract:
Conventional CSCT may require a complex reconstruction involving a large number of calculations. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, additional collimators are used in combination with energy revolving detectors, which may allow that a CSCT image may be reconstructed by a simple superposition of images obtained from different viewing angles in a direct tomography data acquisition scheme. Advantageously, a reconstruction may be avoided. Advantageously, this may allow for an improved image quality while reducing an amount of calculations required for generating the output image.
Abstract:
In CSCT, an exact reconstruction of a scattering function for each voxel is not known for polychromatic primary radiation. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a beam hardening compensation is performed prior to reconstruction allowing to perform a quasi-exact reconstruction on the basis of the primary radiation mean attenuation values are determined, from which an equivalent water thickness is derived. From the equivalent water thickness an energy shift is calculated, which is used to correct the initial mean energy of the scatter radiation. Furthermore, a CT reconstruction may be performed prior to a CSCT reconstruction allowing for a beam-hardening correction. Advantageously, this may allow for an improved image quality and an improved resolution of the scatter function.
Abstract:
According to an exemplary embodiment an imaging system (100) for examining an object under examination comprises a scanning unit, wherein the scanning unit comprises a radiation source (106, 108), and a detection unit (107, 109), wherein the scanning unit is adapted to emit a radiation beam (123), which radiation beam follows a linear movement of the object under examination such that a predetermined region of the object under examination is scanned while the object under examination moves.
Abstract:
According to an exemplary embodiment an imaging system (100) for examining an object under examination comprises a scanning unit, wherein the scanning unit comprises a radiation source (106, 108), and a detection unit (107, 109), wherein the scanning unit is adapted to emit a radiation beam (123), which radiation beam follows a linear movement of the object under examination such that a predetermined region of the object under examination is scanned while the object under examination moves.