Based on counts detected by a photon counting detector, a characteristic of X-ray attenuation amounts μt is acquired for each X-ray energy bin. This characteristic is defined by a plurality of mutually different known thicknesses t and linear attenuation coefficients in the X-ray transmission direction. This substance is composed of a material which is included in an object and which is the same in type as the object or which can be regarded as being similar to the object in terms of the effective atomic number. Correcting data for replacing the characteristic of the X-ray attenuation amounts μt by a linear target characteristic are calculated. The linear target characteristic is set to pass through the origin of a two-dimensional coordinate having a lateral axis assigned to thicknesses t and a longitudinal axis assigned to the X-ray attenuation amounts μt. The correcting data are calculated for each X-ray energy bin.

A virtual 511 KeV attenuation map is generated from CT data. Spectral or multiple energy CT is used to more accurately extrapolate the 511 KeV attenuation map. Since spectral or multiple energy CT may allow for material decomposition and/or due to additional information in the form of measurements at different energies, the modeling used to generate the 511 KeV attenuation map may better account for all materials including high density material. The extrapolated 511 KeV attenuation map may more likely represent actual attenuation at 511 KeV without requiring extra scanning using a 511 KeV source external to the patient. The virtual 511 KeV attenuation map (e.g., CT data at 511 KeV) may provide more accurate PET image reconstruction.

A surgical specimen imaging system includes a micro-X-ray computed tomography (CT) unit for CT imaging of the specimen and a structured light imaging (SLI) unit for optical imaging at multiple wavelengths, multiple phase offsets, and multiple structured-light pattern periods including unstructured light. The system's image processing unit receives CT and optical images and is configured by firmware in memory to co-register the images and process the optical images to determine texture at multiple subimages of the optical images, determined textures forming a texture map. The texture map is processed by a machine-learning-based classifier to determine a tissue type map of the specimen, and the tissue type map is processed with the CT images to give a 3D tissue-type map. In embodiments, the firmware extracts optical properties including scattering and absorption at multiple wavelengths and the classifier also uses these properties in generating the tissue type map.

A specimen radiography system may include a controller and a cabinet. The cabinet may include an x-ray source, an x-ray detector, and a specimen drawer disposed between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector. The specimen drawer may be automatically positionable along a vertical axis between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.

The present invention is a method to quantify biomarkers. The method uses an X-ray florescence spectrometer to perform an X-ray fluorescence analysis on the sample to obtain spectral features derived from the biomarker; and quantifying the X-ray fluorescence signal of the biomarker.

A detection scheme for x-ray small angle scattering is described. An x-ray small angle scattering apparatus may include a first grating and a complementary second grating. The first grating includes a plurality of first grating cells. The complementarity second grating includes a plurality of second grating cells. The second grating is positioned relative to the first grating. A configuration of the first grating, a configuration of the second grating and the relative positioning of the gratings are configured to pass one or more small angle scattered photons and to block one or more Compton scattered photons and one or more main x-ray photons.

The present invention is for the retention of surgically removed tissue for radiographic imaging. In breast conservation surgery specimen radiographic imaging is used to evaluate the success of removed diseased tissue with a negative margin. Accurate positioning of tissue orientation with minimal compression of the removed pathologic neoplasm is employed. The radiolucent device holder's purpose is to secure the tissue in proper orientation for radiographic imaging and margin evaluation. The present invention is a reusable system. It features a snap together component that allows for the replacing of the radiolucent membranes. Components are properly disinfected and membranes replaced making the device holder ready for reuse. This reusability is innovative, more cost effective and reduces medical waste. While this present invention, reusable specimen imaging holder device system with replaceable membranes has particular use in breast conservation surgery specimen imaging for optimal margin evaluation it is not exclusive to that purpose.

In embodiments, the present invention describes the use of three-dimensional (3D) stationary gantry X-ray computed tomography systems to scan animals/livestock for enabling improved management of animal farming processes, functions or events. The present invention also discloses the use of 3D stationary gantry X-ray computed tomography systems for carcass screening and improved abattoir production planning, execution, and automation. In various embodiments, use of the scanning technology supports high throughput, automated, meat-processing lines with reduced manual labor, objectively measured product quality and improved food safety standards. In embodiments, the present specification discloses the use of 3D X-ray inspection to generate an image of an entire carcass and sections of the carcass, during the stages of dissection, final product preparation, and packaging of the carcass.

A method for preparing a sample of organic material for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) may include obtaining granular organic material, forming a portion of the granular organic material into a sample pellet, and searing the organic material. The searing may include searing only an exposed end surface of the sample pellet on which LIBS analysis is to be performed. The method may include pressing the seared sample pellet to consolidate the material comprising the seared end surface.

Various embodiments are described herein for a system and method of integrated X-ray imaging and microscopic imaging of an imaging area having a sample on a sample stage. An X-ray apparatus may be disposed within the imaging area and be configured to acquire X-ray image data of at least a portion of the sample. A microscopic imaging apparatus may be disposed within the imaging area and be configured to acquire microscopic image data of the at least a portion of the sample. In some embodiments, a processing unit may then control the X-ray apparatus to acquire X-ray image data of the at least the portion of the sample, and generate one or more corresponding X-ray images; determine a region of interest (ROI) of the sample based on the one or more X-ray images; and control the microscopic imaging apparatus to obtain at least one microscopic image based on the ROI.