A radiation therapy system comprising a therapeutic radiation system (e.g., an MV X-ray source, and/or a linac) and a co-planar imaging system (e.g., a kV X-ray system) on a fast rotating ring gantry frame. The therapeutic radiation system and the imaging system are separated by a gantry angle, and the gantry frame may rotate in a direction such that the imaging system leads the MV system. The radiation sources of both the therapeutic and imaging radiation systems are each collimated by a dynamic multi-leaf collimator (DMLC) disposed in the beam path of the MV X-ray source and the kV X-ray source, respectively. In one variation, the imaging system identifies patient tumor(s) positions in real-time. The DMLC for the imaging radiation source limits the kV X-ray beam spread to the tumor(s) and/or immediate tumor regions, and helps to reduce irradiation of healthy tissue (e.g., reduce the dose-area product).

A radiation therapy system comprising a therapeutic radiation system (e.g., an MV X-ray source, and/or a linac) and a co-planar imaging system (e.g., a kV X-ray system) on a fast rotating ring gantry frame. The therapeutic radiation system and the imaging system are separated by a gantry angle, and the gantry frame may rotate in a direction such that the imaging system leads the MV system. The radiation sources of both the therapeutic and imaging radiation systems are each collimated by a dynamic multi-leaf collimator (DMLC) disposed in the beam path of the MV X-ray source and the kV X-ray source, respectively. In one variation, the imaging system identifies patient tumor(s) positions in real-time. The DMLC for the imaging radiation source limits the kV X-ray beam spread to the tumor(s) and/or immediate tumor regions, and helps to reduce irradiation of healthy tissue (e.g., reduce the dose-area product).

The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for correction of collimator penumbra in an X-ray image. The apparatus comprises an input unit (20), a processing unit (30), and an output unit (40). The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with X-ray data. The processing unit is configured to determine at least one collimator corrected X-ray image of an object. The determination comprises application of an intensity modulation mask to the X-ray data. The intensity modulation mask accounts for intensity variation across a detector of an X-ray acquisition system caused by at least one collimator blade of the X-ray acquisition system, and the X-ray acquisition system was used to acquire the X-ray data. The output unit is configured to output the at least one collimator corrected X-ray image of the object.

The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for correction of collimator penumbra in an X-ray image. The apparatus comprises an input unit (20), a processing unit (30), and an output unit (40). The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with X-ray data. The processing unit is configured to determine at least one collimator corrected X-ray image of an object. The determination comprises application of an intensity modulation mask to the X-ray data. The intensity modulation mask accounts for intensity variation across a detector of an X-ray acquisition system caused by at least one collimator blade of the X-ray acquisition system, and the X-ray acquisition system was used to acquire the X-ray data. The output unit is configured to output the at least one collimator corrected X-ray image of the object.

A radiological imaging apparatus is provided that includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a radiation detector positioned to receive radiation emitted by the radiation source and generate radiation data, wherein the radiation data comprises a primary component and a secondary component, and a data processing system. The data processing system is configured to apply image transforms to the primary component using generating functions, build a scatter model basis using the transforms, adjust parameters in the scatter model to fit scatter using the scatter model basis, generate an estimated scatter image by using the fitted scatter model, and modify the radiation data using the scatter image to decrease the scatter in the radiation data thereby generating a scatter corrected image.

A radiological imaging apparatus is provided that includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a radiation detector positioned to receive radiation emitted by the radiation source and generate radiation data, wherein the radiation data comprises a primary component and a secondary component, and a data processing system. The data processing system is configured to apply image transforms to the primary component using generating functions, build a scatter model basis using the transforms, adjust parameters in the scatter model to fit scatter using the scatter model basis, generate an estimated scatter image by using the fitted scatter model, and modify the radiation data using the scatter image to decrease the scatter in the radiation data thereby generating a scatter corrected image.

An apparatus for Digital Imaging in the Head Region of a Patient includes an X-ray source and an X-ray sensor, supported on a rotary arm supported on a structure by a motor driven translation and rotation means. The rotary arm is provided with adjustment means for varying the distance between the source and the sensor. A control unit, that controls the source, the sensor, the adjustment means, and the translation and rotation means Collision detection means provided in the source and sensor detect a possible collision of the source and/or sensor with the patient during the motion of the source and/or sensor and the control unit responds to such detected possible collision.

An apparatus for Digital Imaging in the Head Region of a Patient includes an X-ray source and an X-ray sensor, supported on a rotary arm supported on a structure by a motor driven translation and rotation means. The rotary arm is provided with adjustment means for varying the distance between the source and the sensor. A control unit, that controls the source, the sensor, the adjustment means, and the translation and rotation means Collision detection means provided in the source and sensor detect a possible collision of the source and/or sensor with the patient during the motion of the source and/or sensor and the control unit responds to such detected possible collision.

Various methods and systems are provided for stationary CT imaging. In one embodiment, a method for an imaging system includes activating a plurality of emitters of a stationary distributed x-ray source unit to emit x-ray beams toward an object within an imaging volume, where the x-ray source unit does not rotate around the imaging volume, receiving attenuated x-ray beams with one or more detector arrays to form a sparse view projection dataset, where each attenuated x-ray beam generates a different view, and reconstructing an image from the sparse view projection dataset using a sparse view reconstruction method.

Various methods and systems are provided for stationary CT imaging. In one embodiment, a method for an imaging system includes activating a plurality of emitters of a stationary distributed x-ray source unit to emit x-ray beams toward an object within an imaging volume, where the x-ray source unit does not rotate around the imaging volume, receiving attenuated x-ray beams with one or more detector arrays to form a sparse view projection dataset, where each attenuated x-ray beam generates a different view, and reconstructing an image from the sparse view projection dataset using a sparse view reconstruction method.