Methods and devices are disclosed for the tomographic imaging of a biological sample from almost all rotational perspectives in three-dimensional space and with multiple imaging modalities. A biological sample is positioned on an imaging stage that is capable of nearly full 360-degree rotation in at least one of two substantially orthogonal axes. Positioned about the stage is an X-ray imaging module enabling the recording of a series of images. A reflected light imaging module can also be positioned about the stage to enable recording of black and white or color white light images. A computer can use the images to construct three-dimensional models of the sample and to render images of the sample conveying information from one or more imaging channels.

The invention relates to an X-ray pre-exposure control device (10), an X-ray imaging system (1), an X-ray imaging method, and a computer program element for controlling such device and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The X-ray pre-exposure control device (10) comprises a subject detection unit (11), a subject model unit (12), an interface unit (13), a processing unit (14), and a display unit (15). The subject detection unit (11) is configured to detect subject data of the subject (111) to be exposed. The subject model unit (12) is configured to provide a subject model and to refine the subject model based on the subject data into a refined subject model. The interface unit (13) is configured to provide setting data of an X-ray unit (131) to be used for exposing the subject. The processing unit (14) is configured to calculate a virtual X-ray projection (151) based on the refined subject model and the provided setting data. The display unit (15) is configured to display the virtual X-ray projection (151).

A method of X-ray digital image correlation is provided. The method comprises aligning cameras of an X-ray imaging system, wherein the X-ray imaging system comprises two X-ray sources pointed at a target area at a stereo angle and two corresponding X-ray detectors behind the target area. The X-ray imaging system is tuned to determine power levels of the X-ray sources that maximize image contrast and signal-to-noise ratio. The system is calibrated to determine intrinsic and extrinsic stereoscopic imaging parameters. A specimen with a random contrast pattern comprising an X-ray attenuating material is placed in the target area. Stereoscopic X-ray images are taken of the specimen and processed according to the power levels of the X-ray sources to maximize image contrast and signal-to-noise ratio and remove background objects. Kinematic quantities are determined according to changes in the contrast pattern over a number of successive images.

An X-ray CT scanner generates CT imaging information on an imaging region, and has a revolution arm positioning an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector to face one another with a subject therebetween, directing the revolution arm to move so X-ray beam radiation is offset from the center of the imaging region. An axial direction changing mechanism changes an imaging target from a first imaging region to a second imaging region in an axial direction of the imaging central axis, and a controller controls offset CT imaging, and an X-ray imaging information generator to generate first and second CT imaging information based on projection data of the first and second imaging region and to generate a stitch imaging information comprising the first and second CT imaging information.

A method for guiding the position of a dental drill for implant treatment of a patient, the method acquiring a volume image of patient anatomy; superimposing an image of a planned drill hole on a display of the acquired volume image according to observer instructions to form an implant plan; displaying at least a portion of the implant plan in stereoscopic form on a head-mounted device worn by an observer and tracking patient position so that the displayed portion of the implant plan is registered to the patient anatomy that lies in the observer's field of view; and highlighting the location of the planned drill hole on the head-mounted device display.

A medical image processing apparatus comprising: a first input interface configured to acquire a three-dimensional volume image of an object which is provided with at least one marker, the three-dimensional volume image being generated by imaging the object using a medical examination apparatus; a second input interface configured to acquire geometry information of an imaging apparatus which is used for imaging the object to generate a fluoroscopic image of the object; and a specific-setting-information generator configured to generate specific setting information based on the three-dimensional volume image and the geometry information, the specific setting information being used for setting of imaging for generating an image depicting the at least one marker or setting of image processing of the image depicting the at least one marker.

A method for positioning a body region of a patient for a radiography acquisition by a radiography system includes providing an examination requirement for the body region, pre-positioning the body region in the radiography system for the radiography acquisition, pre-positioning an acquisition unit of the radiography system for the radiography acquisition, producing a three-dimensional positioning acquisition of the body region using a 3D camera system, and producing a preview image from the three-dimensional positioning acquisition. A patient model is generated from the three-dimensional positioning acquisition and the preview image is produced from the patient model, and the preview image depicts a representation as if made using the acquisition unit of the radiography system. The method further includes outputting at least one of the preview image and positioning information based on the preview image. Another embodiment may use an apparatus and computer readable medium to execute the method above.

A medical image processing apparatus comprising: a first input interface configured to acquire a three-dimensional volume image of an object which is provided with at least one marker, the three-dimensional volume image being generated by imaging the object using a medical examination apparatus; a second input interface configured to acquire geometry information of an imaging apparatus which is used for imaging the object to generate a fluoroscopic image of the object; and a specific-setting-information generator configured to generate specific setting information based on the three-dimensional volume image and the geometry information, the specific setting information being used for setting of imaging for generating an image depicting the at least one marker or setting of image processing of the image depicting the at least one marker.

An X-ray CT scanner generates CT imaging information I on an imaging region CA. The X-ray CT scanner 1 includes a revolution arm 30 locating an X-ray generator 10 and an X-ray detector 20 such that the X-ray generator 10 and the X-ray detector 20 face each other while having a subject M1 therebetween;

an XY table 35 moving the revolution arm 30 such that an irradiation direction of an X-ray cone beam Bx is offset from the center of the imaging region CA; an axial direction changing mechanism 43 changing the imaging target from a first imaging region R1 to be processed by the imaging first to a second imaging region R2 in a Z-axis direction; a main body controller 60 controlling the X-ray CT imaging; and a stitch image information generator 861b generating stitch imaging information Is. The main body controller 60 is configured to be capable of executing control on the XY table 35 and the offset CT imaging, and control on the axial direction changing mechanism 43 to generate first CT imaging information I1 and second CT imaging information I2. The stitch image information generator 861b generates the stitch imaging information Is from offset CT imaging information Io based on the first CT imaging information I1 or the like acquired by offset CT imaging.

A medical image processing apparatus comprising: a first input interface configured to acquire a three-dimensional volume image of an object which is provided with at least one marker, the three-dimensional volume image being generated by imaging the object using a medical examination apparatus; a second input interface configured to acquire geometry information of an imaging apparatus which is used for imaging the object to generate a fluoroscopic image of the object; and a specific-setting-information generator configured to generate specific setting information based on the three-dimensional volume image and the geometry information, the specific setting information being used for setting of imaging for generating an image depicting the at least one marker or setting of image processing of the image depicting the at least one marker.