Described herein are systems and methods for performing plural-plane narrow-beam computed tomography.

A data processing device is applied to an X-ray system which irradiates an object with continuous X-rays and processes data detected by a photon counting X-ray detection device. An n-dimensional vector corresponding to each of “n” energy regions set a spectrum of the continuous X-rays is calculated for each detector pixel based on the data. For each search region virtually set up based on one or more detector pixels, the n-dimensional vectors at the detector pixels belonging to each search pixel are mutually vector added in the n-dimensional space. The n-dimensional representative vector representing each of the plurality of search regions is calculated. Based on the representative vectors and an unit region having a desired size virtually set in a material space with coordinate information of the degree of attenuation of the X-rays, the information indicating the amount, type and properties of the material of the object is obtained.

An imaging capsule, including a radiation source, a collimator that provides a collimated beam from the radiation source, a detector configured to detect particles resulting from X-ray fluorescence and/or Compton backscattering in response to the collimated beam, a motor to rotate the collimator and detector around an axle to scan a partial or full inner circumference of a user's colon with radiation, wherein the motor comprises a segmented commutator that is fed with a power signal via brush contacts; and wherein the motor provides a pulsed output signal based on mechanical switching of the segmented commutator on the brush contacts, providing an indication of the rotation angle of the motor as a function of time.

Techniques for counting respective photons having energy levels within at least a first energy window and a second energy window, where the first energy window is lower than the second energy window, are presented. The techniques include: receiving a first indication of a first photon detection, the first photon detection being of a photon having an energy of at least a lower end of the first energy window; receiving a second indication of a second photon detection, the second photon detection being of a photon having an energy of at least a lower end of the second energy window; within a predetermined time interval of the receiving the first indication, communicating locally the second indication to counter logic for the first energy window, where a counter for the first energy window is not incremented; and incrementing a counter for an energy window higher than the first energy window.

Systems and methods for improving soft tissue contrast, characterizing tissue, classifying phenotype, stratifying risk, and performing multi-scale modeling aided by multiple energy or contrast excitation and evaluation are provided. The systems and methods can include single and multi-phase acquisitions and broad and local spectrum imaging to assess atherosclerotic plaque tissues in the vessel wall and perivascular space.

An X-ray detector unit is disclosed. In an embodiment, the X-ray detector unit includes: at least one analysis unit to process electrical signals delivered from a coupled converter unit and operatable by an operating voltage; an adjustable voltage supply, coupled to the at least one analysis unit, to provide an adjustable supply voltage; an identification unit, assigned to the at least one analysis unit, to provide identification information about the at least one analysis unit in a readable manner; and a communication unit, coupled to the adjustable voltage supply, to read the identification information provided from the identification unit, and based upon the identification information provided, to adjust the adjustable voltage supply to equate the provided supply voltage to the operating voltage of the at least one analysis unit.

A method and a system for a two-step calibration method for the polychromatic semiconductor-based PCD forward counting model, to account for various pixel summing readout modes for imaging at different resolutions. The flux independent weighted bin response function is estimated using the expectation maximization method, and then used to estimate the pileup correction terms at plural tube voltage settings for each detector pixel. To correct the variation of the detector response due to different PCD sub-pixel summing schemes, the embodiments calibrate forward model parameters based on the various pixel readout modes.

Gamma cameras may be used to obtain two-dimensional images of an emitting object, of which the most common form is the “Anger-type” gamma camera. The primary components in a conventional Anger-type gamma camera include, but are not limited to: a plurality of photo-multiplier tubes, a scintillator material, and a collimator. The disclosed invention claims a novel use of a gamma camera which eliminates the collimator. The new method is a method of forming an initial image from the incident radiation, which does not depend on any mechanical or other means of restricting the incident radiation to be passed on to a position-sensitive radiation detector. This method then uses mathematical deconvolution to produce an image of the object without the need for a collimator and without reliance on a pre-existing image.

A method is for generating an X-ray image dataset via an X-ray detector having a converter element and a multiplicity of pixel elements. In an embodiment, the method includes first counting of at least one quantity of count signals dependent upon the incident X-ray radiation in each pixel element of the multiplicity of pixel elements; second counting of at least one quantity of coincidence count signals in each pixel element of the subset of pixel elements with at least one further pixel element of the multiplicity of pixel elements; and generating an X-ray image dataset based upon the at least one quantity of count signals counted in each pixel element of the multiplicity of pixel elements and upon the at least one quantity of coincidence count signals counted in each pixel element of the subset of pixel elements.

An X-ray detector is disclosed, including a detection unit to generate a detection signal for incident X-ray radiation; a signal analysis module to determine a set of count rates for incident X-ray radiation based upon the detection signal and signal analysis parameters for X-ray radiation; and a switchover control unit for switching between first signal analysis parameters and second signal analysis parameters. When an amount of X-ray radiation is incident on the detection module, a first set of count rates is generated for a first time interval based upon first signal analysis parameters and a second set of count rates is generated for a second time interval based upon second signal analysis parameters, different from the first signal analysis parameters. An X-ray imaging system including the detector; a method for determining count rates for X-ray radiation; and a method for calibrating signal analysis parameters are also disclosed.