An imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to efficiently estimate scatter during multi-fraction treatments for improved quality and workflow. Estimated scatter from one fraction during a treatment course can be utilized during subsequent fractions, allowing for measurements with higher scatter-to-primary ratios. The quality of scatter estimates can be maintained, while workflow improves and dosage decreases. Scan configuration limits can be utilized to maintain a minimum level of scatter measurement quality. Patient information can be monitored to ensure that prior fraction scatter estimates are still applicable to current patient status.

A radiation system may include a treatment assembly including a first radiation source, a second radiation source, and a first radiation detector. The first radiation source may be configured to deliver a treatment beam covering a treatment region of the radiation system, and the treatment region may be located in a bore of the radiation system. The second radiation source may be configured to deliver a first imaging beam covering a first imaging region of the radiation system, and may be mounted rotatably on a first side of the treatment assembly. The first radiation detector may be configured to detect at least a portion of the first imaging beam, and may be mounted rotatably on a second side of the treatment assembly. The treatment assembly, the second radiation source, and the first radiation detector may be positioned such that the treatment region is addressable for the radiation system.

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.

An x-ray imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to receive measured projection data in a primary region and measured scatter data in asymmetrical shadow regions and determine an estimated scatter in the primary region based on the measured scatter data in the shadow region(s). The asymmetric shadow regions can be controlled by adjusting the position of the beam aperture center on the readout area of the detector. Penumbra data may also be used to estimate scatter in the primary region.

Disclosed herein is a method of imaging a tracer in a body region of an organism, the body region comprising L imaging regions (imaging regions (i), i=1, . . . ,L), wherein L is an integer greater than 1, the method comprising: for i=1, . . . ,L, causing the tracer in essentially only the imaging region (i) to emit characteristic X-ray photons (i); for i=1, . . . ,L, capturing a region image (i) of the tracer in essentially only the imaging region (i) with the characteristic X-ray photons (i); and determining a three-dimensional (3D) distribution of the tracer in the body region based on the region images (i), i=1, . . . ,L.

Disclosed herein is a radiotherapy device comprising a source of therapeutic radiation and an imaging system, the imaging system comprising a source of imaging radiation and a detector. The imaging system is switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein, in the first configuration, the imaging system is configured to emit a beam of imaging radiation shaped for a first imaging modality toward the detector and, in the second configuration, the imaging system is configured to emit a beam of imaging radiation shaped for a second imaging modality toward the detector. The detector is of a shape formed by at least a first and a second section, the first and second section intersecting one another, wherein the first section is positioned for receiving the beam of imaging radiation for the first imaging modality, and the second section is positioned for receiving the beam of imaging radiation for the second imaging modality.

A size and/or shape specific 3D-beam modulation filter and a size and/or shape specific immobilizer are provided for cone-beam breast computed tomography (bCT). The immobilizer places the breast on an optimal position in the field of view of the scanner system and the 3D-beam modulation filter modulates the incident x-ray beam in the cone-angle (i.e. z-axis of the detector panel) and fan angle (i.e. x-axis of the detector panel) directions in order to improve equalization of the photon fluence incident upon the detector panel and reduce unnecessary radiation dose that the breast receives. Both the immobilizer and the 3D-beam modulation filter are selected among a plurality of alternatives based on the specific shape, size and/or shape or size of the person's breast.

In a medical image generation method, projection data of a scanned object is acquired during rotation of a radiographic source, and a scout image of the scanned object is generated in one scanning direction using corresponding projection data in two opposite scanning directions in the projection data. The scanning direction is used to represent a relative position relationship between the radiographic source and the scanned object. Using projection data in two opposite directions to generate a scout image in one direction during rotary scanning of a radiographic source can significantly shorten the generation time of the scout image.

A computed tomography machine suitable for interventional procedures provides partial scans displaced about the patient away from the physician position to substantially reduce Compton scattering received by the physician. A modeling of patient dose accounting for the presence of shielding, different physician characteristics, patient positions, and probe position may be accomplished to affect a trade-off between these various factors optimized for interventional or similar procedures where a nonpatient must be close to the scanner during operation.

A hybrid medical apparatus having an imaging unit, an irradiation unit, and a patient support apparatus is provided. The imaging unit is configured to record image data of an examination region. The irradiation unit is configured to carry out an irradiation of at least a part of the examination region. The imaging unit and the irradiation unit have a common isocenter. The irradiation unit is arranged for rotational movement along a first perimeter independently of the imaging unit. An X-ray source and an X-ray detector of the imaging unit are arranged for movement such that a central beam between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector runs through the common isocenter. The patient support apparatus and/or the imaging unit and/or the irradiation unit is movable along a first spatial axis such that the examination region of the examination object is able to be arranged in the common isocenter.