An X-ray imaging system using multiple puked X-ray sources to perform highly efficient and ultrafast 3D radiography is presented. There are multiple puked X-ray sources mounted on a structure in motion to form an array of sources. The multiple X-ray sources move simultaneously relative to an object on a pre-defined arc track at a constant speed as a group. Electron beam inside each individual X-ray tube is deflected by magnetic or electrical field to move focal spot a small distance. When focal spot of an X-ray tube beam has a speed that is equal to group speed but with opposite moving direction, the X-ray source and X-ray flat panel detector are activated through an external exposure control unit so that source tube stay momentarily standstill equivalently. 3D scan can cover much wider sweep angle in much shorter time and image analysis can also be done in real-time.

A method includes recording a plurality of projection recordings along a linear trajectory. An X-ray source and an X-ray detector move in parallel opposite to one another along the linear trajectory and the examination object is arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The method includes reconstructing a tomosynthesis dataset, respective depth information of the examination object is respective determined along an X-ray beam bundle spanned by the motion along the linear trajectory and an X-ray beam fan of the X-ray source perpendicular to the linear trajectory so that different respective depth levels in the object parallel to a detection surface of the X-ray detector are respectively scanned differently. Finally, the method includes determining a first slice image with a first slice thickness in a depth level, among the respective depth levels, substantially parallel to the detection surface of the X-ray detector based on the tomosynthesis dataset.

A modular X-ray source and method for replacement of such an X-ray source are disclosed. The source is inside a consumable modular enclosure where the entire assembly is swapped out during maintenance. The enclosure covers an X-ray tube, high voltage circuit boards 6 and cooling insulating oil are arranged inside the module enclosure. The enclosure structure includes an X-ray window, connector engagement alignment guide and electrical connectors. The modular X-ray source is used in a multiple source tomosynthesis imaging system where multiple pulsed X-ray sources are utilized. The easy replacement of X-ray tube assembly inside the consumable modular enclosure results in lower maintenance cost and overall reliable X-ray imaging machine. The modular source has potential to increase the machine volume in the field and create new standards for replaceable modular X-ray source.

An imaging apparatus comprises a rotatable gantry system positioned at least partially around a patient support; a first source of radiation coupled to the rotatable gantry system, the first source of radiation configured for imaging radiation; a second source of radiation coupled to the rotatable gantry system; and a first radiation detector coupled to the rotatable gantry system and laterally movable relative to a central beam of the first source of radiation to receive radiation from at least the first source of radiation over various fields of view. Alternative configurations of the imaging apparatus and methods of using the imaging apparatus are also provided.

A radiation detector has a sensor panel unit which includes two sensor panels and in which end portions of the two sensor panels are arranged to overlap each other in a thickness direction. An image processing unit acquires two projection images from the two sensor panels. A combination unit of the image processing unit performs a process related to image quality on the projection image in a case in which a tomographic image which is a diagnosis image to be used for a doctor's diagnosis is generated and does not perform the process related to image quality on the projection image in a case in which a scout image which is a confirmation image for confirming a reflected state of the subject is generated.

A radiation detector has a sensor panel unit which includes two sensor panels and in which end portions of the two sensor panels are arranged to overlap each other in a thickness direction. An image processing unit acquires two projection images from the two sensor panels. A combination unit of the image processing unit performs a process related to image quality on the projection image in a case in which a tomographic image which is a diagnosis image to be used for a doctor's diagnosis is generated and does not perform the process related to image quality on the projection image in a case in which a scout image which is a confirmation image for confirming a reflected state of the subject is generated.

A mini C-arm with a movable X-ray source is disclosed. The mini C-arm including a moveable base, a C-arm assembly, and an arm assembly for coupling the C-arm assembly and the base. The C-arm assembly includes a first end, a second end, and a curved intermediate body portion defining an arc length. The source is positioned adjacent to the first end. A detector is positioned at the second end. The source is moveable along the arc length and relative to the detector to enable a plurality of images of the patient's anatomy to be acquired including a first image when the X-ray source is at a first position and a second image when the X-ray source is at a second position. The images being taken without moving the patient's anatomy. The C-arm assembly may include a motor and a belt drive system for moving the source relative to the detector.

An image processing device includes a processor and a memory that is provided in or connected to the processor. The processor executes a region selection process of selecting a portion of a plurality of tomographic images, which indicate a plurality of tomographic planes of an object, respectively, and have a first resolution, as a target region to be set to a second resolution higher than the first resolution, a resolution enhancement process of increasing the resolution of the target region to the second resolution to generate a high-resolution partial image, and a composite two-dimensional image generation process of generating a high-resolution composite two-dimensional image having the second resolution, using the high-resolution partial image.

Fifteen radiation tubes are arranged in a radiation source of the mammography apparatus. An irradiation field limiter includes a plate-like member having a plurality of through holes that function as irradiation openings. Adjacent through holes are arranged at an interval of one radiation tube. In the plate-like member, the position of the through holes which are irradiation openings are moved to a first set position in a case in which radiation is emitted from first radiation tubes which are some of three or more radiation tubes and a second set position in a case in which the radiation is emitted from second radiation tubes different from the first radiation tubes among the three or more radiation tubes. Therefore, one through hole is shared by two radiation tubes.

A body thickness conversion unit converts a body thickness from a distance image imaged by a distance measurement camera to acquire the body thickness. A setting unit sets a gradation transformation function for use in gradation transformation processing to a radiographic image corresponding to the body thickness. A radiographic image acquisition unit acquires the radiographic image output from a radiation detector in radioscopy. A gradation transformation processing unit starts the gradation transformation processing with the gradation transformation function set by the setting unit.