With regard to a setting reference for X-ray irradiation range and image generation range, which differs by hospital or technician, a structure to automatically set a desired X-ray irradiation range and an image generation range infallibly, is provided. In an X-ray CT apparatus, a scan range automatic setting unit extracts an inspection target as an arbitrary body part designated by an operator before inspection from a positioning image, and generates an extraction region range including it. The operator sets an arbitrary margin value by line operation or numerical input using a GUI with respect to the extraction region range (S104). The scan range automatic setting unit generates and stores a range setting pattern in which the inspection target and the margin value are made to correspond to each other (S105), and links the range setting pattern to an inspection protocol (S106). Then immediately after positioning-image image sensing (S109), the scan range automatic setting unit extracts the inspection target from the positioning image (S112), and automatically sets a scan range, in accordance with the range setting pattern made to correspond to the inspection target and linked to the inspection protocol (S114).

In this diagnostic X-ray apparatus (1), a radius of a spiral pulley (63) is set to a radius that differs from a radius of an Archimedes' spiral so that a tensile force of the spring member (61) applied to a second wire rope (67b) and a weight on an X-ray generation unit (50) side applied to a first wire rope (67a) are balanced.

At least two first offset images having different accumulation times are acquired in a state in which radiation is not emitted. A pixel signal is read in an accumulation time shorter than that of a plurality of first offset images or using binning reading in a state in which the radiation is not emitted to acquire a second offset image. A reference image is acquired by reading the pixel signal using the same reading method as that used for the second offset image and in a state in which gates of the pixels are turned off. A difference between the two first offset images having different accumulation times is calculated to acquire a first dark current distribution image. A difference between the second offset image and the reference image is calculated to acquire a second dark current distribution image. It is determined whether or not reacquisition is needed on the basis of a correction error of a corrected image obtained by correcting the first dark current distribution image on the basis of the second dark current distribution image.

A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) method uses a continuous beam and an area detector to carry out fast acquisition of projection data. The acquired projection data are then reconstructed to generate tomographic images. In acquisition of the projection data, a radiation source continuously irradiates a subject with a cone beam of radiation from a plurality of angles and an area detector continuously reads out data. A CBCT system including a source operable to produce a cone beam of radiation and an area detector movable in synchrony with the source to rapidly acquire projection data for CBCT construction is also disclosed.

A method is for making an X-ray recording of an examination region of an examination object with an X-ray system including an X-ray source arranged on an emitter displacement unit and an X-ray detector including a detection area, arranged on a detector displacement unit. The method includes selecting the examination region and portion-wise recording successive recording portions in relation to the examination region. The portion-wise recording includes moving the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, determining a strip-shaped detection region within the detection area, by expanding an extent of the X-ray recording compared with a further different X-ray recording, and acquiring and recording each respective successive recording portion, of the successive recording portions, using the determined detection region and the X-ray source. Finally, the method includes generating an assembled X-ray recording of the examination region from the successive recording portions recorded.

An apparatus and a method for correcting for signal variations in pixels of a main photoelectric conversion element in a radiation detection apparatus due to focal spot position drifts. Edge reference detectors are positioned next to the main detector, in the fan beam coverage but outside the scan field of view. The signal variations of the edge reference detector pixels under the ant-scatter grid shadow are used to estimate the real-time focal spot movement, which is used to estimate the shadow/signal variation on the main detector pixels that are in the scan field of view.

A system and method for calibrating an X-ray tube is provided in which the X-ray tube includes an electronic storage medium associated with the X-ray tube on which calibration information for the X-ray tube is stored. The calibration information includes operating parameters for the focusing elements of the X-ray tube for desired focal spots, tolerance limits for variations in the focal spots and a number of gradient coefficient values corresponding to certain modulation transfer functions (MTF) for the X-ray tube that the imaging system can employ in an iterative manner to correct the operating parameters of the focusing elements to achieve the desired focal spot. This automatic iterative process significantly reduces the time required for the calibration of the X-ray tube. The system and method also employs scan sequencing to minimize the heat generated enabling the scans to be completed in a shorter amount of time than prior calibration processes.

The disclosure pertains to improvements in a gamma radiation source, typically containing low-density alloys or compounds or composites of iridium in mechanically deformable and compressible configurations, within a sealed encapsulation, and methods of manufacture thereof.

An X-ray CT apparatus enables accurate determination of a scan end position and includes a rotating plate that rotates an X-ray source and an X-ray detector, oppositely provided to the X-ray source, to detect the X-ray transmitted through and around the subject. A bed for the subject moves with respect to the rotating plate, to change a scan position; and a tomographic image is generated in the scan position based on output from the X-ray detector.

A storage holds a region ratio threshold value previously determined in a scan end position. A region extraction unit extracts a predetermined region from the tomographic image generated during scanning; and a comparison determination unit determines whether or not the scan position has arrived at the scan end position based on comparison between a region ratio calculated by using the region and the threshold value.

An x-ray imaging apparatus includes an x-ray source and detector with multiple detector elements. The source and detector are on a support that rotates around a subject, enabling projections at different view angles. The apparatus operates the x-ray source in switched kVp mode for alternately applying different voltages, including lower and higher voltages, during rotation to enable lower-energy and higher-energy exposures over the projections, providing for lower-energy projections and higher-energy projections. The x-ray detector is a photon-counting multi-bin detector allocating photon counts to multiple energy bins, and the apparatus selects counts from at least a subset of the bins to provide corresponding photon count information for both lower- and higher-energy projections. The apparatus performs material basis decomposition for some of the lower-energy projections and higher-energy projections and/or for some combinations of at least one lower-energy projection and at least one higher-energy projection, based on the corresponding photon count information.