Disclosed herein is a dual energy X-ray imaging apparatus. The dual energy X-ray imaging apparatus includes: an X-ray generator configured to generate a predetermined dose of X-rays; an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-rays received from the X-ray generator; an X-ray filter located between the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector, and configured to filter out part of the generated X-rays so that X-rays of two dose types reach the X-ray detector; and a medical image processing unit configured to generate medical images corresponding to the two dose types recognized by the X-ray detector.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for performing spectral tomographic reconstruction of an object. The imaging system includes a power source that is configured to provide a variable high voltage. The imaging system includes a distributed X-ray source. The distributed X-ray source includes an array of X-ray emitters that allows fast switching “ON” and “OFF” using X-ray emitter grid electrode. The distributed X-ray sources is configured to generate an X-ray beam with an energy spectrum based on the variable high voltage and uses additional X-ray filters. The imaging system includes a controller. The controller is configured to operate synchronously with the change of the variable high voltage. The controller is configured to control a timing of when to engage an X-ray emitter of the array of X-ray emitters of the distributed X-ray source based on a predefined firing pattern.

Systems and methods for tomosynthesis with an x-ray filter are disclosed. The present technology provides performing breast tomosynthesis in the presence of an x-ray filter. For example, an x-ray filter may be placed between an x-ray source and breast tissue. The filter may proportionally filter out a subset of the energies emitted by the x-ray source. A filter may include characteristics to filter x-ray energies based on a k-edge of a contrast agent introduced into the breast, such that the breast tissue has relatively greater exposure to x-ray energies above the k-edge of the contrast agent to illuminate the contrast agent without substantial illumination of other breast tissue. Thus, tomosynthesis images similar to those obtained using subtraction may be acquired without software-based contrast enhancing techniques.

According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detection unit, an X-ray filter, an input unit, and an X-ray filter support unit. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detection unit detects the X-rays transmitted through a subject. The X-ray filter is arranged between the X-ray tube and the object and has an opening. The X-ray filter support unit supports the X-ray filter so as to make the X-ray filter movable in an imaging axis direction of the X-rays.

During the generation of a panoramic x-ray recording, the use of semi-transparent x-ray screens allows the patient's x-ray exposure to be reduced when partial x-ray images are created, in spite of relatively large overlapping areas between the partial x-ray images.

A method includes obtaining first spectral image data, which includes at least a first component corresponding to a targeted first K-edge based contrast agent administered to a subject if a target of the targeted first K-edge based contrast agent is present in the subject, decomposing the first spectral image data into at least the first component, reconstructing the first component thereby generating a first image of the targeted first K-edge contrast agent, determining if the targeted first K-edge contrast agent is present in the first image, and generating a signal indicating the targeted first K-edge contrast agent is present in the first image in response to determining the targeted first K-edge contrast agent is present in the first image.

Various aspects include methods for compensating for the effects of charge sharing among pixelate detectors in X-ray detectors by applying a correspondence factor to counts of X-ray photons in energy bins to estimate incident X-ray photon energy bins. The correspondence factor may be determined by determining an incident X-ray photon energy spectrum, adjusting the incident X-ray photon energy spectrum to account for an energy resolution of the pixelated detector, generating a charge sharing model for the adjusted incident X-ray photon energy spectrum based on a percentage charge sharing parameter of the pixelated detector, applying the charge sharing model to energy bins of the pixelated detector to estimate counts in each of the energy bins, and determining the correspondence factor by comparing the estimated counts in each of the energy bins to counts in the energy bins that would be expected for the adjusting the incident X-ray photon energy spectrum.

The invention relates to a system (31) for generating spectral computed tomography projection data. A spectral projection data generation device (6) comprising an energy-resolving detector generates spectral computed tomography projection databased on polychromatic radiation (4), which has been provided by a radiation device (2), after having traversed an examination zone (5), and a reference values generation device generates energy-dependent reference values based on radiation, which has not traversed the examination zone. A spectral parameter providing unit (12) provides a spectral parameter being indicative of a spectral property of the radiation device based on the energy-dependent reference values. In particular, spectral properties of the radiation device can be monitored over time, wherein this information can be used for, for instance, correcting the spectral computed tomography projection data, and/or, if undesired spectral properties of the radiation device are indicated, triggering a replacement of the radiation device.

A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (“DXA”) system includes an x-ray source assembly comprising a source carriage to move the x-ray source assembly along a scan path, the scan path comprising an active scan portion and a reference measurement portion. A detector assembly including a detector carriage to move the detector assembly with the source assembly and to collect scan data at active scan portions. A support structure supporting the source and detector assemblies. A calibration controller coupled a calibration element having a known x-ray attenuation value and configured position the calibration element between the source and detector assemblies during the reference measurement portion and to remove the calibration element from between the source and detector assemblies during the active scan portion. A processing unit operable to compare the reference measurement against an expected reference value to identify a variance and to selectively trigger an action in response to the variance.

According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnosis apparatus includes an X-ray generator, an X-ray diaphragm, an X-ray detector, an image capturing unit, a blood vessel running information acquiring unit, a device position specifying unit, and a diaphragm controller. The X-ray generator emits X-rays. The X-ray diaphragm restricts a region to be irradiated with X-rays emitted from the X-ray generator. The X-ray detector detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray generator. The image capturing unit acquires an X-ray image based on a detection result obtained by the X-ray detector. The blood vessel running information acquiring unit acquires blood vessel running information. The device position specifying unit specifies the position of a device in the X-ray image. The diaphragm controller controls the X-ray diaphragm based on the blood vessel running information and the position of the device.