Abstract:
Imaging apparatus includes an imaging support and a number of imaging device tiles (56, 58). Each tile includes an imaging device having an imaging surface and has a non-active region (50) at or adjacent an edge of the tile. The imaging device on a tile mounted on said support is tilted such that a part of the imaging surface (60) of one tile at least partially overlies the non-active region of another tile, thereby providing substantially continuous imaging in a first direction. The space between tiles in the direction orthogonal to the first direction is minimsed by ensuring that the width of the imaging surface of a detector layer of the imaging device is the same as or greater than that of a readout layer of the imaging device and that of a mount for the imaging device.
Abstract:
A digital fluorographic method and system calls for digitizing and storing first and second x-ray picture information derived prior to and after, respectively, injection of a contrast medium into the subject. The first and second x-ray picture information are digitized, stored and processed to develop first and second processed picture data, respectively, and the first and second processed picture data are subtractively combined to produce picture data corresponding to a pictorial representation of differences between the x-ray picture information prior to and after, respectively, the injection of the contrast medium. The method and system call for various combinations of the following operations: averaging one or both of the x-ray picture data; convolution of the picture data derived prior to the injection of the contrast medium; pre-enhancement of one or both of the x-ray picture data; and post-enhancement of the picture data corresponding to the pictorial representation of the differences between the x-ray pictures prior to and after, respectively, the injection of the contrast medium. The inventive system includes a plurality of storage units and display units, in conjunction with an image processor, for rapidly operating on (whole-picture processing) the various x-ray picture data provided to the system.
Abstract:
A latent charge image is recorded on and reproduced from a multilayered detector (10) by first providing the detector (10) with a uniform surface charge on its photoconductive layer (16). The photoconductive layer (16) is then biased with an electric field whose polarity opposes that of the uniform surface charge and then the detector is exposed to a modulated radiation flux to cause at least partial discharge of the photoconductive layer (16). The latent charge image of the modulated radiation flux is thus stored and later read by scanning the surface of the photoconductive layer (16) with a small diameter photon beam to further sequentially discharge the photoconductive layer (16) and the changing electrical potential of this sequential further discharge is detected and processed into a video signal by a processor (106) for storage or display.
Abstract:
An x-ray examination apparatus comprises an x-ray source for emitting x-rays and an x-ray detector for deriving an image signal from an x-ray image. The x-ray detector comprises a semiconductor element comprising one or several sensor elements. Further the x-ray examination apparatus is provided with a bias radiation source for irradiating the x-ray detector with electromagnetic radiation. In particular, the x-ray detector is an x-ray sensor matrix having a multitude of semiconductor sensor elements. Preferably the bias radiation source is arranged to emit infrared radiation.
Abstract:
An X-ray examination apparatus utilizes an image sensor matrix for picking up an X-ray image, i.e. for converting incident X-rays into electric charges. The X-ray examination apparatus includes a control circuit for controlling the image sensor matrix so as to form a dark signal. The X-ray examination apparatus also comprises a correction unit which is arranged to derive the electronic image signal from the primary image and the dark signal. The electronic image signal represents image information in the X-ray image and has not been disturbed by electric charges which have been read with a delay.
Abstract:
An optical arrangement and a process for transmitting and converting X-ray images generated on a two-dimensional primary image array (21a) with light emission within the visible spectrum contains a plurality of optical systems (17) for reduced imaging of a sectional image (19) corresponding to an individual segment (19) of the primary image (20). The imaging is effected through an optical image guide (22). At least two image guides (22) are joined to combine sectional images into first images (19b). Each first image then contains at least two segments (19, 19a) of the primary image (20). The image guides (22) on the output side are connected to the input of a converter (28) by which the light signals are converted into processable electrical signals.
Abstract:
A low light level color imaging system acquires polychromatic images of body cells at low light intensities when markers attached to the cells are illuminated. Particularly in PAP smear screening, specimens may be marked with a variety of fluorescent stains which have different chromatic signatures but which only weekly emit light from very low structural levels of the cells. The invention detects the color intensity of each stain in a specimen image, using an integrating color camera to acquire the image. The signal-to-noise ratio of the integrating color camera is enhanced by electronic cooling (50, etc.) of its imaging element (28). A single scanned image of a specimen acquired by the camera includes polychromatic information which identifies all of the fluorescent stains which mark the specimen. A multi-channel color image analyzer is configured to recognize each of the fluorescent colors produced from the fluorescent dyes and to provide a pixellated representation of the specimen image which includes all of the fluorescent colors at their image locations.
Abstract:
A system for spectroscopic imaging of bodily tissue in which a scintillation screen and a charged coupled device (CCD) are used to accurately image selected tissue. Applications include the imaging of radionuclide distributions within the human body or the use of a dual energy source to provide a dual photon bone densitometry apparatus that uses stationary or scanning acquisition techniques. X-rays are generated by an X-ray source which pass through a region of a subject's body, forming an X-ray image which reaches the scintillation screen. The scintillation screen reradiates a spatial intensity pattern corresponding to the image, the pattern being detected by a CCD sensor. The image is digitized by the sensor and processed by a controller before being stored as an electronic image. A dual energy X-ray source that delivers two different energy levels provides quantitative information regarding the object being imaged using dual photon absorptiometry techniques.
Abstract:
An X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray source (1) for irradiating an object (2) by means of an X-ray beam (3) in order to form an X-ray image. An optical image is derived from the X-ray image by means of an X-ray detector (4). The optical image is picked up by means of an image pick-up apparatus (5). The image pick-up apparatus (5) includes a plurality of image sensors (6, 7) for deriving separate electronic sub-image signals from the optical image. The image pick-up apparatus also includes a subtraction unit (8) for subtracting the electronic sub-image signals from one another. The image pick-up apparatus (5) also includes a control circuit (9) which is arranged to make integration periods of individual image sensors (7, 8) commence at instants which are spaced a waiting period apart. The difference signal represents changes in the X-ray image or, when the X-ray energy is changed during the waiting period, differences in X-ray absorption due to energy-dependency.