An x-ray imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to execute multi-pass imaging scans for improved quality and workflow. An imaging scan can be segmented into multiple passes that are faster than the full imaging scan. Data received by an initial scan pass can be utilized early in the workflow and of sufficient quality for treatment setup, including while the another scan pass is executed to generate data needed for higher quality images, which may be needed for treatment planning. In one embodiment, a data acquisition and reconstruction technique is used when the detector is offset in the channel and/or axial direction for a large FOV during multiple passes.

A system and method for acquiring medical images of a subject includes performing two-dimensional (2D) scan of a subject using a medical imaging system to acquire 2D data from at least two view angles and generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the subject from the 2D data. The method also includes extracting desired images of the subject from the 3D model. The desired images are at view angles different from the at least two view angles. The method further includes prescribing an imaging study of the subject using the desired images of the subject to control at least one of a signal-to-noise ratio of data acquired using the imaging study or a dose of ionizing radiation delivered to the subject during the imaging study. The method also includes performing the imaging study using the medical imaging system to acquire imaging data from the subject and reconstructing images of the subject from the imaging data.

Multimodal imaging apparatus and methods include a rotatable gantry system with multiple sources of radiation comprising different energy levels (for example, kV and MV). Fast slip-ring technology and helical scans allow data from multiple sources of radiation to be combined or utilized to generate improved images and workflows, including for IGRT. Features include large field-of-view (LFOV) MV imaging, kV region-of-interest (ROI) imaging, and scalable field-of-view (SFOV) dual energy imaging.

A radiotherapy delivery device is provided. The device includes a source of therapeutic radiation and a first detector positioned to receive radiation from the source of therapeutic radiation. The device also includes a source of imaging radiation and a second detector positioned to receive radiation from the source of imaging radiation. A collimator assembly is positioned relative to the second source of radiation to selectively control a shape of a radiation beam emitted by the second radiation source to selectively expose part or the whole of the second radiation detector. A reconstruction processor can be operatively coupled to the detector and configured to generate patient images based on radiation received by the second detector from the second source of radiation. The device is configured to move from one imaging geometry to another using all or part of the second detector.

A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry (22) configured to mount an x-ray emitter (24) and CT detector (26) on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor (28) rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a rotation of source high resolution x-ray detector (172) positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.

A computed tomography (CT) system and method is provided. The CT system is used to carry out an image improvement method in which a prior or previously-acquired patient image can be used to supplement or otherwise improve an acquired CT image, wherein the acquired projection data representative of the acquired CT image might be truncated or otherwise incomplete/insufficient to accurately and stably recover the scanned object/patient.

A laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) induced electron beam system for cancer therapy and diagnostics. Example embodiments presented herein include one or more laser fibers, and an electron beam source within an individual one of the one or more laser fibers, wherein the electron beam source includes a laser pulse source, a plasma target, a set of optics interposing the laser pulse source and the plasma target adapted to focus a laser pulse generated by the laser pulse source onto the plasma target, wherein interaction of the laser pulse with the plasma target induces the generation of an electron beam. In various embodiments presented herein, high energy electrons of the electron beam interact with a high-Z material to generate X-rays.

An x-ray examination arrangement includes an x-ray radiation source arranged at a source position, at least two x-ray detectors having active detector areas and being arranged such that the active detector areas capture different solid angle ranges with respect to x-ray radiation produced by the x-ray radiation source and emanating from the source position, and a control device configured to calculate a projection onto a virtual detector plane based on radiographs respectively captured by the at least two x-ray detectors and spatial poses of the at least two x-ray detectors relative to the source position, and provide a combined radiograph for the virtual detector plane based on the projection. In addition, a method for operating the x-ray examination arrangement and a computed tomography device are provided.

A method of scanning parameter optimization, which method may be useful with image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), allows for controlling exposure of a beam from an x-ray source and/or controlling the detection mechanism for an x-ray detector of imaging radiation of a radiation-delivery device based on one or more parameters of a region of interest of a patient. The one or more parameters of the region of interest may include a dimension, outer contour, density, location relative to an outlet of the beam, location relative to isocenter, location to the whole patient body, etc. Exposure of the patient to the beam may be varied via modulation of one or more scanning parameters for controlling an aspect of the beam and/or the detector to provide for targeted and or reduced radiation exposure of the patient or portion of the patient, and/or for improved quality of guiding images. The modulation may be varied depending on a view angle of the region of interest from a portion of the radiation-delivery device.

An x-ray imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to receive measured projection data from a wide aperture scan of a wide axial region and a narrow aperture scan of a narrow axial region within the wide axial region and determine an estimated scatter in the wide axial region using an optimized scatter estimation technique. The optimized scatter estimation technique is based on the difference between the measured scatter in the narrow axial region and the estimated scatter in the narrow axial region. Kernel-based scatter estimation/correction techniques can be fitted to minimize the scatter difference in the narrow axial region and thereafter applying the fitted (optimized) kernel-based scatter estimation/correction to the wide axial region. Optimizations can occur in the projection data domain or the reconstruction domain. Iterative processes are also utilized.