An imaging apparatus includes a first X-ray detector that includes: a low energy scintillator operable to convert an incident X-ray spectrum into a first set of light photons; a first light imaging sensor operable to generate a set of low energy image signals from the first set of light photons, wherein a first exit radiation is a remainder portion of the first incident radiation after the X-ray spectrum passes through the low energy scintillator and the first light imaging sensor; an energy-separation filter operable to absorb or reflect at least a portion of the energy of the first exit X-ray spectrum and convert the first exit X-ray spectrum into a second exit X-ray spectrum; a second X-ray detector that includes: a high energy scintillator operable to convert the second exit X-ray spectrum into a second set of light photons; a second light imaging sensor operable to generate a set of high energy image signals from the second set of light photons; and a processor configured to: generate a high-energy image that is based on the set of high energy image signals and a low-energy image that is based on the set of low energy image signals; and perform a comparison of the high-energy image from the low-energy image to generate a soft tissue image.

An imaging apparatus for an image intensifier (II) X-ray system includes a camera lens assembly (CLA) configured to cooperate with the II to create an X-ray image, the CLA including an image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is configured to convert received light and generate a digital image. The lens is configured to guide the light from the output surface to the image sensor, the lens having a fixed diaphragm. The CLA includes a diaphragm and/or neutral density filter with a fixed attenuation. A controller is configured to control an amount of amplification of the electric signals or the digital image. The sensor, e.g. CMOS sensor, is configured to amplify the analog electric signals before conversion into the digital image according to an analog gain, and the controller is configured to control the amount of amplification by controlling the analog gain applied by the image sensor.

A radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a scintillator configured to convert radiation into light, a sensor panel in which a plurality of pixels each comprising a light detector configured to detect the light is arranged in a two-dimensional array, and a processing unit. The processing unit comprises a signal generating unit configured to output signals indicating intensities of the light detected by the light detector of each of the plurality of pixels, and a detection unit configured to identify a group of pixels each of which outputs a signal of a level exceeding a reference value out of the signals and detect, based on a pattern of the group, pileup in which a plurality of radiation photons is detected as a single radiation photon.

A method for enhancing a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of an object comprises obtaining a signal indicative of a static 3D reconstruction of an object disposed in a tracking space, co-registering the 3D reconstruction to the 3D tracking space, collecting enhancement data from a tracked tool disposed in the 3D tracking space, and adding real-time features of the object to the static 3D reconstruction using the enhancement data. A system for enhancing data obtained by a medical system includes an electronic control unit configured to receive a first signal for a static 3D reconstruction of an organ, co-register the static 3D reconstruction to a 3D tracking space for a tracked tool, receive a second signal for enhancement data generated by the tracked tool operating within a region of interest of the organ, and add real-time features of the area of interest to the static 3D reconstruction using the enhancement data.

The present invention provides a kit comprising a unibody auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed from a single contiguous nonmetallic piece, the piece being shaped into a cylindrical member having opposing ends respectively adapted to frictionally connect to the external end of an endotracheal tube and either the stem of a Y piece or the patient end of a common conduit, the cylindrical member having an opening in its wall, the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope; and, packaging moans for enclosing the auscultation interface aseptically. The present invention additionally provides an endotracheal tube, Y piece, breathing circuit and mechanical ventilation system incorporating the auscultation interface.

Disclosed herein are a radiographic imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the radiographic imaging apparatus. The radiographic imaging apparatus may include an imager configured to image a subject to obtain image data; a real-time processor configured to communicate with the imager and configured to obtain a real-time processing authority and perform real-time image processing on the image data; and a non-real-time processor configured to communicate with the imager and configured to perform non-real-time image processing on the image data, and in response to a failure occurring in the real-time processor, obtain the real-time processing authority and perform the real-time image processing on the image data.

The radiation imaging apparatus includes: a correction data acquiring unit configured to acquire, from image data captured in a predetermined imaging mode, offset correction data corresponding to the predetermined imaging mode; a switching unit configured to switch an acquisition mode for acquiring the image data, depending on the predetermined imaging mode; and an image processing unit configured to subtract the offset correction data from a radiation image of an object to perform an offset correction process.

The present invention relates to X-ray imaging. In order to reduce X-ray dose exposure during X-ray image acquisition, an X-ray detector is provided that is suitable for phase contrast and/or dark-field imaging. The X-ray detector comprises a scintillator layer (12) and a photodiode layer (14). The scintillator layer is configured to convert incident X- ray radiation (16) modulated by a phase grating structure (18) into light to be detected by the photodiode layer. The scintillator layer comprises an array of scintillator channels (20) periodically arranged with a pitch (22) forming an analyzer grating structure. The scintillator layer and the photodiode layer form a first detector layer (24) comprising a matrix of pixels (26). Each pixel comprises an array of photodiodes (28), each photodiode forming a sub-pixel (30). Adjacent sub-pixels during operation receive signals having mutually shifted phases. The sub-pixels that during operation receive signals having mutually identical phase form a phase group per pixel. The signals received by the sub-pixels within the same phase group per pixel during operation are combined to provide one phase group signal (32). The phase group signals of different phase groups during operation are obtained in one image acquisition. In an example, the pitch of the scintillator channels is detuned by applying a correcting factor c to a fringe period (P.sub.fringe) of a periodic interference pattern (35) created by the phase grating structure, wherein 0<c<2.

Novel and advantageous systems and methods for performing X-ray imaging by using an X-ray source with source grating functionality incorporated therein are provided. An electron beam can be electromagnetically manipulated such that the X-ray source emits radiation in a pattern that is the same as if the radiation had already passed through a source grating.

A multiple frame x-ray imaging system is disclosed with capability of differential x-ray exposure of different input areas of an image intensifier or other x-ray detector. Collimators are provided to control the amount of radiation in various regions of the image and image processing is provided to provide the display of images of different qualities.