In chest imaging it is important to only image the lungs without exposing the thyroid gland or the abdominal organs, so the width of the X-ray beam is restricted so that the projection area matches the size of the lungs of each individual patient. For 2D X-ray systems and traditional computed tomography systems there is only one X-ray emission point so it is easy to use a conventional collimator box. However, when using stationary multi-emitter arrays, using lots of conventional collimator boxes would get in the way of neighbouring X-ray beams. The present invention uses a pair of sliding plates 41, 43 with matching holes 45 therein, such that apertures 47 of variable size are formed for each X-ray emitter.
G21K 1/04 - Dispositions pour manipuler des particules ou des rayonnements ionisants, p. ex. pour focaliser ou pour modérer utilisant des diaphragmes, des collimateurs utilisant des diaphragmes à ouverture variable, des obturateurs, des hacheurs
09 - Appareils et instruments scientifiques et électriques
10 - Appareils et instruments médicaux
Produits et services
Image scanners for scientific use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for scientific purposes; video imaging systems for scientific use; imaging devices for scientific purposes; tomography apparatus for scientific use; X-ray apparatus, instruments, and associated software, all for scientific use; software for X-ray tomography, for veterinary or scientific use; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus for scientific use; X-ray photographic apparatus for scientific use; X-ray analysers for scientific use; X-ray scanners for scientific use; X-ray apparatus for scientific purposes; diagnostic apparatus for research laboratory use. Veterinary apparatus and instruments; imaging apparatus for veterinary use; electronic imaging devices for veterinary use; X-ray CT scanners for veterinary use; X-ray diagnostic apparatus for veterinary use; dental X-ray apparatus; X-ray scanners for veterinary use; X-ray structure analysis instruments for veterinary use; X-ray apparatus for dental imaging; X-ray apparatus for veterinary purposes; X-ray apparatus for veterinary use; X-ray photographs for veterinary purposes; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus for veterinary use; computerised tomography apparatus for veterinary use; X-ray analysers for veterinary use; X-ray tomography apparatus for veterinary use; scanners for veterinary use; image scanners for veterinary use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for veterinary purposes; video imaging systems for veterinary use; imaging devices for veterinary purposes; tomography apparatus for veterinary use; X-ray apparatus, instruments, all for veterinary use; X-ray photographic apparatus for veterinary use.
41 - Éducation, divertissements, activités sportives et culturelles
42 - Services scientifiques, technologiques et industriels, recherche et conception
Produits et services
Check processing services, namely, check imaging services; Photographic imaging services; Developing training systems and learning methodologies for others Digital tomosynthesis and X-ray imaging services; non-medical, 3-D tomosynthesis and X-ray imaging services; X-ray imaging, other than for medical purposes; non-destructive material testing services; consultancy services in the field of non-destructive material testing; materials testing and evaluation; product testing and quality evaluation services, namely, identifying and measuring deformities and damage to materials, aerospace parts, and electronics; product design and development of diagnostic apparatus; computer aided diagnostic testing services in the field of aerospace, defence, airports, automotive, transport, construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, electronics, and engineering; Research and development of advanced learning technologies and teaching methods
09 - Appareils et instruments scientifiques et électriques
10 - Appareils et instruments médicaux
42 - Services scientifiques, technologiques et industriels, recherche et conception
Produits et services
Image scanners for veterinary or scientific use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for scientific purposes; video imaging systems for scientific use comprised of X-ray, CT, and tomosynthesis imaging apparatus; imaging devices for scientific purposes for anatomical structures; Industrial computed tomography (CT) scanning apparatus for scientific use; X-ray apparatus, instruments, and downloadable software for operating such equipment, all for scientific use; downloadable software for operating X-ray tomography apparatus, for veterinary and scientific use; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus for scientific use; X-ray photographic apparatus for scientific use; X-ray analysers for scientific use; X-ray scanners for scientific use; X-ray apparatus for scientific purposes; diagnostic apparatus for research laboratory use for examining anatomical structures Veterinary apparatus and instruments, namely, X-ray apparatus, CT apparatus, and tomosynthesis apparatus; imaging apparatus for veterinary use for imaging bones, organs, soft tissue, and dental structures, for imaging the anatomical structure of animals, for obstetrics use, and for foreign object detection; electronic imaging devices for veterinary use for imaging bones, organs, soft tissue, and dental structures, for imaging the anatomical structure of animals, for obstetrics use, and for foreign object detection; X-ray CT scanners for veterinary use; X-ray diagnostic apparatus for veterinary use; dental X-ray apparatus; X-ray scanners for veterinary use; X-ray structure analysis instruments for veterinary use; X-ray apparatus for dental imaging; X-ray apparatus for veterinary purposes; X-ray apparatus for veterinary use; X-ray photographs for veterinary purposes; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus for veterinary use; computerised tomography apparatus for veterinary use; X-ray analysers for veterinary use; X-ray tomography apparatus for veterinary use; X-ray, CT, and tomosynthesis scanners for veterinary use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for veterinary purposes; video imaging systems for veterinary use comprised of X-ray, CT, and tomosynthesis imaging apparatus; imaging devices for veterinary use for imaging bones, organs, soft tissue, and dental structures, for imaging the anatomical structure of animals, for obstetrics use, and for foreign object detection; X-ray apparatus and instruments for veterinary use Providing online non-downloadable software for operating X-ray apparatus and instruments for scientific and veterinary use; providing online non- downloadable software for operating X-ray tomography apparatus, for veterinary and scientific use
42 - Services scientifiques, technologiques et industriels, recherche et conception
Produits et services
Digital tomosynthesis and 3-D X-ray imaging services; 3-D scanning services; X-ray imaging, other than for medical purposes; non-destructive testing services; services relating to non-destructive testing; materials testing and evaluation; technical services relating to identifying and/or measuring deformities or damage to materials, aerospace parts, and electronics; design and development of diagnostic apparatus; computer aided diagnostic testing services; services for the development of methods of testing.
A method to identify and/or assess structural integrity of a composite material, by distributing fiducial markers within the composite material during manufacture, and subsequently creating x-ray 3D tomosynthesis images of the composite material using an array of x-ray emitters and a digital x-ray detector, the 3D tomosynthesis images being used to determine the relative location of at least some of the fiducial markers. This enables detection of counterfeit products by comparison with recorded data at manufacture and detection of an internal degradation of the material indicated by movement of the fiducial markers. Relative locations of fiducial markers in a first set of images are compared with relative locations of fiducial markers in a second set of images, to identify common fiducial markers and thereby determine an offset therebetween. Both sets of images may be used to reconstruct a combined three-dimensional density function.
It is desirable to be able to determine the presence of metal oxidation on a pipe (10), wherein the pipe includes insulation (20) around its outer surface (15), without removing the insulation. An apparatus is provided comprising an x-ray emitter (30), and an x-ray detector (40), the apparatus arranged to identify the presence of metal oxidation by virtue of the diffraction characteristics of the detected x-rays.
G01N 23/20008 - Détails de construction des appareils d’analyse, p. ex. caractérisés par la source de rayons X, le détecteur ou le système optique à rayons XLeurs accessoiresPréparation d’échantillons à cet effet
G01N 23/2055 - Analyse des diagrammes de diffraction
An X-ray imaging apparatus (110) for imaging helicopter rotor blades (20) attached to helicopters, the apparatus comprising an upper arm (140), a lower arm (150), and a connecting member (145) for maintaining the upper and lower arms stationary relative to one another, wherein one of the upper and lower arms includes at least one X-ray source (141), and wherein the other of the upper and lower arms includes a digital X-ray detector, the apparatus including movement means (160, 170) for moving the apparatus relative to the blade, in use, and a controller configured to control the X-ray source and X-ray detector, such that in use multiple 3-dimensional X-ray images of the blade are creatable.
G01N 23/044 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux en utilisant la laminographie ou la tomosynthèse
G01N 23/083 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et mesurant l'absorption le rayonnement consistant en rayons X
G01N 23/18 - Recherche de la présence de défauts ou de matériaux étrangers
A geological sample is provided to analysis equipment including a first X-ray emitter and a digital X-ray detector. The actions of activating the first X-ray emitter, located in a first position; activating a second X-ray emitter, located in a different position to the first X-ray emitter, or moving the first X-ray emitter to a different position and activating it; repeating the imaging step as required to analyse the core, each time using a different X-ray emitter, or the first X-ray emitter located in a different position; wherein the location of the digital detector, relative to the sample, remains stationary during the imaging steps; processing the digital signals provided by the digital detector to create digital X-ray images; processing the digital signals to determine compounds within, and porosity of, the sample by means of relative absorption at different X-ray energy levels; and processing the digital X-ray images are performed.
G01N 23/04 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux
G01N 23/083 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et mesurant l'absorption le rayonnement consistant en rayons X
09 - Appareils et instruments scientifiques et électriques
10 - Appareils et instruments médicaux
Produits et services
Imaging apparatus, namely, digital tomosynthesis imaging apparatus, not for medical purposes; image scanners; electronic imaging devices, namely, non-medical imaging devices for industrial and scientific purposes, and for non-destructive testing; video imaging systems, namely, non-medical video imaging systems for industrial and scientific purposes, and for non-destructive testing; non-medical imaging devices for scientific purposes; tomography apparatus for scientific use; X-ray apparatus and instruments not for medical purposes; recorded software for analyzing, processing, reviewing, displaying and reporting x-rays ; recorded software for operating X-ray tomography; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus not for medical purposes; X-ray photographic apparatus not for medical purposes; X-ray fluorescence analysers; X-ray scanners not for medical purposes; measuring and monitoring apparatus and instruments, namely, industrial digital tomosynthesis imaging apparatus and instruments for use in non-destructive testing; apparatus and instruments, namely, industrial digital tomosynthesis imaging apparatus and instruments for identifying and/or measuring deformities or damage to materials, aerospace parts, and electronics; recorded imaging software, embedded imaging software, and downloadable imaging software for analyzing, processing, reviewing, displaying and reporting digital images and digital scans; recorded software, embedded software, and downloadable software for digital tomosynthesis imaging and X-ray imaging, not for medical purposes; X-ray apparatus for industrial purposes; X-ray producing apparatus, other than for medical use; X-ray apparatus not for medical purposes X- ray apparatus for veterinary use; X-ray photographs for medical purposes; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus for medical use; computerised tomography apparatus for medical purposes; X-ray analysers for medical use; X-ray tomography apparatus for medical use; scanners for medical use, namely, X- ray imaging for medical, dental, and veterinary diagnostics; medical X-ray apparatus; X-ray CT scanners; X-ray diagnostic apparatus; dental X-ray apparatus; X-ray scanners for medical use; X-ray structure analysis instruments for medical use; X-ray apparatus for dental imaging; X-ray apparatus for medical purposes
09 - Appareils et instruments scientifiques et électriques
10 - Appareils et instruments médicaux
Produits et services
Image scanners; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical purposes; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for medical purposes; video imaging systems; imaging devices for scientific purposes; tomography apparatus for scientific use; X-ray apparatus, instruments, and software; software for X-ray tomography; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus; X-ray photographic apparatus; X-ray analysers; X-ray scanners; X-ray apparatus for industrial purposes; X-ray producing apparatus [other than for medical use]; X-ray apparatus not for medical purposes; measuring and monitoring apparatus and instruments for use in non-destructive testing; apparatus and instruments for identifying and/or measuring deformities or damage to materials, aerospace parts, and electronics; imaging software; software relating to imaging. Imaging apparatus; medical imaging apparatus; electronic imaging devices; medical X-ray apparatus; X-ray CT scanners; X-ray diagnostic apparatus; dental X-ray apparatus; X-ray scanners for medical use; X-ray structure analysis instruments for medical use; X-ray apparatus for dental imaging; X-ray apparatus for medical purposes; X-ray apparatus for veterinary use; X-ray photographs for medical purposes; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus for medical use; computerised tomography apparatus; X-ray analysers for medical use; X-ray tomography apparatus for medical use; scanners; scanners for medical use; X-ray scanners.
09 - Appareils et instruments scientifiques et électriques
10 - Appareils et instruments médicaux
Produits et services
Imaging apparatus; scanners; image scanners; electronic imaging devices; video imaging systems; imaging devices for scientific purposes; tomography apparatus for scientific use; X-ray apparatus, instruments, and software; software for X-ray tomography; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus; X-ray photographic apparatus; X-ray analysers; X-ray scanners; X-ray apparatus for industrial purposes; X-ray producing apparatus [other than for medical use]; X-ray apparatus not for medical purposes; measuring and monitoring apparatus and instruments for use in non-destructive testing; apparatus and instruments for identifying and/or measuring deformities or damage to materials, aerospace parts, and electronics; imaging software; software relating to imaging. Medical imaging apparatus; medical X-ray apparatus; X-ray CT scanners; X-ray diagnostic apparatus; dental X-ray apparatus; X-ray scanners for medical use; X-ray structure analysis instruments for medical use; X-ray apparatus for dental imaging; X-ray apparatus for medical purposes; X-ray apparatus for veterinary use; X-ray photographs for medical purposes; X-ray spectroscopy apparatus for medical use; computerised tomography apparatus; X-ray analysers for medical use; X-ray tomography apparatus for medical use; scanners for medical use.
Methods for analysis of silicon chips and other electrical components are presently slow, often requiring much human intervention. An electronic component authentication system is provided comprising apparatus to obtain images, of an electronic component to be authenticated, in the visible spectrum, and the infrared spectrum, the system further comprising apparatus to obtain X-ray images of the electronic component and to process at least some of those X-ray images to provide a 3D tomosynthesis image of the electronic component, the system further comprising a processor configured to analyse the obtained images to ascertain criteria relating to the electronic component and authenticate the ascertained criteria against a set of known criteria.
It is known to embed fiduciary markers in a composite component, and to image said component with x-rays to determine the spatial location of the fiduciary markers. However, comparing two such “point cloud patterns” to determine whether they correspond is not a simple exercise; in particular, due to the nature of image reconstruction with limited angle acquisition in digital tomosynthesis, depths of fiduciary markers are resolved only approximately, while lateral resolution is usually significantly higher. The present invention provides a device and method of authenticating a component against reference data by choosing a starting point rotation centre and comparing the distances to its nearest neighbours with those from a reference dataset, and then calculating a rotation matrix based on this comparison. In this way, composite components can be tracked by their unique ‘fingerprint’ such that they can be validated prior to use.
A method has been recently developed to identify and/or assess structural integrity of a composite material, by distributing fiducial markers (which attenuate x-rays to an extent greater than the rest of the material) withing the composite material during manufacture, and subsequently creating x-ray 3D tomosynthesis images of the composite material using an array of x-ray emitters and a digital x-ray detector, the 3D tomosynthesis images being used to determine the relative location of at least some of the fiducial markers with respect to one another. This enables detection of counterfeit products by comparison with recorded data at manufacture, and also enables detection of an internal degradation of the material indicated by movement of the fiducial markers. However, large structures cannot be imaged in a single set of exposures and so individual parts of the structures must be assessed separately. The present invention compares relative locations of fiducial markers in a first set of images with relative locations of fiducial markers in a second set of images, to identify common fiducial markers and thereby determine an offset therebetween. In this way, both sets of images may be used to reconstruct a combined three-dimensional density function.
G01N 23/046 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux en utilisant la tomographie, p. ex. la tomographie informatisée
An x-ray imaging apparatus 10 comprising a support 30 having two arms, wherein on one arm an x-ray emitter 50 is arranged, and on the other arm a flat panel digital detector 60 is arranged, the emitter and detector arranged opposite each other providing a space therebetween for the positioning of an object for x-ray imaging by the apparatus, the x-ray emitter comprising an array of emitters, the apparatus arranged such that in use different emitters are energisable independently from one another such that 3-dimensional tomosynthesis images are obtainable of the object, with the object, emitter and detector maintained stationary relative to one another.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/04 - Mise en position des patientsLits inclinables ou similaires
A61B 6/40 - Agencements pour générer des radiations spécialement adaptés au diagnostic par radiations
To provide clear 3-dimensional images of complex shapes, an X-ray imaging apparatus (200) for imaging a relatively linear shaped object (210) comprising portions of its outer surface having curved profiles, is provided, the apparatus comprising an X-ray array of at least two X-ray emitters (220), a digital detector (230), and at least one support (270) for holding the object to be imaged, wherein the emitters are arranged on one side the object, in use, and the detector is arranged opposite the emitters, on the other side of the object, in use, wherein the apparatus further comprises rotational movement means for rotating the object around its longitudinal axis so as to present portions of the outer surface which have curved profiles in an orientation such that the tangent to the surface of the relevant portion is substantially perpendicular to a direction of X-rays emitted by at least one of the X-ray emitters.
G01N 23/04 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux
G01N 23/046 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux en utilisant la tomographie, p. ex. la tomographie informatisée
An X-ray imaging apparatus (110) for imaging helicopter rotor blades (20) attached to helicopters, the apparatus comprising an upper arm (140), a lower arm(150), and a connecting member (145) for maintaining the upper and lower arms stationary relative to one another, wherein one of the upper and lower arms includes at least one X-ray source (141), and wherein the other of the upper and lower arms includes a digital X-ray detector, the apparatus including movement means (160, 170) for moving the apparatus relative to the blade, in use, and a controller configured to control the X-ray source and X-ray detector, such that in use multiple 3-dimensional X-ray images of the blade are creatable.
G01N 23/04 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux
G01N 23/046 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux en utilisant la tomographie, p. ex. la tomographie informatisée
It is desirable to be able to determine the presence of metal oxidation on a pipe (10), wherein the pipe includes insulation (20) around its outer surface (15), without removing the insulation. An apparatus is provided comprising an x-ray emitter (30), and an x-ray detector (40), the apparatus arranged to identify the presence of metal oxidation by virtue of the diffraction characteristics of the detected x-rays.
G01N 23/20 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en utilisant la diffraction de la radiation par les matériaux, p. ex. pour rechercher la structure cristallineRecherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en utilisant la diffusion de la radiation par les matériaux, p. ex. pour rechercher les matériaux non cristallinsRecherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en utilisant la réflexion de la radiation par les matériaux
G01N 17/00 - Recherche de la résistance des matériaux aux intempéries, à la corrosion ou à la lumière
To more easily analyse geological samples a method comprising the following steps is provided: providing a geological sample and analysis equipment (10), said equipment including a first X-ray emitter (30) and a digital X-ray detector (40); activating the first X-ray emitter, located in a first position, and receiving the emitted X-rays at the digital X-ray detector; activating a second X-ray emitter, located in a different position to the first X-ray emitter, or moving the first X-ray emitter to a different position and activating it, and receiving the emitted X-rays at the digital X-ray detector; repeating the imaging step as required to analyse the core, each time using a different X-ray emitter, or the first X-ray emitter located in a different position; wherein the location of the digital detector, relative to the sample, remains stationary during the imaging steps; processing (60) the digital signals provided by the digital detector to create digital X-ray images of the sample; processing the digital signals provided by the digital detector to determine compounds within, and porosity of, the sample by means of relative absorption at different X-ray energy levels; processing the digital X-ray images of the sample to create a digital tomosynthesis 3D X-ray image model of the sample, said model including a means of indicating the different compounds, and porosity of the sample, and their locations in the sample.
G01N 23/044 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux en utilisant la laminographie ou la tomosynthèse
It is known to embed fiduciary markers in a composite component, and to image said component with x-rays to determine the spatial location of the fiduciary markers. However, comparing two such "point cloud patterns" to determine whether they correspond is not a simple exercise; in particular, due to the nature of image reconstruction with limited angle acquisition in digital tomosynthesis, depths of fiduciary markers are resolved only approximately, while lateral resolution is usually significantly higher. The present invention provides a device and method of authenticating a component against reference data by choosing a starting point rotation centre and comparing the distances to its nearest neighbours with those from a reference dataset, and then calculating a rotation matrix based on this comparison. In this way, composite components can be tracked by their unique 'fingerprint' such that they can be validated prior to use.
Methods for analysis of silicon chips and other electrical components are presently slow, often requiring much human intervention. An electronic component authentication system is provided comprising apparatus to obtain images, of an electronic component to be authenticated, in the visible spectrum, and the infrared spectrum, the system further comprising apparatus to obtain X-ray images of the electronic component and to process at least some of those X-ray images to provide a 3D tomosynthesis image of the electronic component, the system further comprising a processor configured to analyse the obtained images to ascertain criteria relating to the electronic component and authenticate the ascertained criteria against a set of known criteria.
Digital tomosynthesis (DT) gives better diagnostic information than 2D X-ray, rivalling CT. However, tomosynthesis reconstruction requires sophisticated algorithms and a powerful computer, and can take several minutes to complete. The present invention takes a single x-ray image of a body 50 using multiple sources. In normal tomography and tomosynthesis imaging, such overlapping cones would lead to un-reconstructable data as significant overlap, in general, can’t be deconvolved and is not soluble. However, here, for the detection and localization of dense, compact objects 40, a location of an object 40 may be determined in three spatial dimensions from a single two-dimensional image. That is, processor-intensive reconstruction of a three-dimensional volume may be avoided.
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
To produce 3D x-ray images, it is necessary to compensate for patient movement during the emission and detection of x-rays; this may be achieved by providing an x-ray sensor 20 comprising a digital x-ray detector 40, and an inertial sensor 50, 60 for providing positional information relating to changes in the relative position of the x-ray sensor during detection of x-rays.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/42 - Agencements pour détecter des radiations spécialement adaptés au diagnostic par radiations
A61B 6/51 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations spécialement adaptés à des parties du corps spécifiquesAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations spécialement adaptés à des applications cliniques spécifiques à la technique dentaire
28.
METHOD OF PRODUCING 3D TOMOSYNTHESIS IMAGES OF A COMPOSITE MATERIAL
To identify and/or assess structural integrity of a composite material comprising fiduciary markers which attenuate x-rays to an extent greater than the rest of the material, a method is provided wherein x-ray 3D tomosynthesis images of the composite material are created using an array of x-ray emitters and a digital x-ray detector wherein the array of x-ray emitters and the digital x-ray detector are maintained in fixed relation to one another and to the composite material, the 3D tomosynthesis images being used to determine the relative location of at least some of the fiduciary markers with respect to one another; a database is provided for storing the relative location of at least some of the fiduciary markers with respect to one another, further x-ray 3D tomosynthesis images of the same, or a different, composite material may be checked against the data in the database to ascertain structural integrity and/or identity of the material.
G06T 7/70 - Détermination de la position ou de l'orientation des objets ou des caméras
G01N 23/044 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux en utilisant la laminographie ou la tomosynthèse
G06F 16/51 - IndexationStructures de données à cet effetStructures de stockage
The present invention seeks to reduce the burden of producing high-resolution tomograms by using an initial scan on a predetermined grid 10 to obtain a minimal set of images, and then regions of interest 20 are identified for further scanning. The further scanning locations 40 are determined by image entropy or gradient found in the previous iteration; such regions are indicative of edges, cracks or complex structure within the region. After each iteration, the level of information (e.g. image entropy or gradient) will decrease relative to the pixel/voxel size. In this way, a more efficient way to scan is achieved.
G01N 23/046 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux en utilisant la tomographie, p. ex. la tomographie informatisée
An x-ray imaging apparatus 10 comprising a support 30 having two arms, wherein on one arm an x-ray emitter 50 is arranged, and on the other arm a flat panel digital detector 60 is arranged, the emitter and detector arranged opposite each other providing a space therebetween for the positioning of an object for x-ray imaging by the apparatus, the x-ray emitter comprising an array of emitters, the apparatus arranged such that in use different emitters are energisable independently from one another such that 3-dimensional tomosynthesis images are obtainable of the object, with the object, emitter and detector maintained stationary relative to one another.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
H05G 1/06 - Tube à rayons X et au moins une partie de l'appareil d'alimentation de puissance montés à l'intérieur de la même gaine
An x-ray imaging apparatus comprises a panel including individually energisable x-ray emitters, a detector and a processor, wherein the emitters and detector remain relatively stationary. The first set of x-ray emitters of the panel is energised to direct x-rays at the first object and surrounding area. The detector detects x-rays passing through the first object and surrounding area. Detected x-rays are processed to create a first x-ray image of the first object and surrounding area. A region of interest is selected from the first image which is smaller than the image of the first object and surrounding area. A second set of x-ray emitters of the panel is energised to direct x-rays at the region of interest. The detector detects x-rays passing through the region of interest. Detected x-rays are processed to create images of the region of interest to obtain tomosynthesis data showing structure of the region of interest.
Image quality for flat-panel array tomosynthesis acquisition is not equivalent to CT because of the reduced number of image angles that are acquired in DT, and also image quality is not uniform throughout the volume and decreases near to the fixed detector array and the fixed flat-panel source. The present invention provides a system for obtaining an X-ray image of a subject 1 in which an emitter panel 3 and detector 7 are movable on a smart armature 9. In this way, image quality can be improved, for example by combining acquisitions taken from different orientations, thereby approaching the quality of conventional CT imaging, whilst still maintaining the lower cost and dose of conventional DT imaging.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
Alignment of tomosynthesis systems requires operator skill, particularly where regions of interest are internal structures with limited surface features. Reconstruction of an entire 3D tomosynthesis image may require seconds to minutes, and it can take this long before operators realize that subsequent scans are required. In this time, the patient may have moved and a second scan could also potentially miss the region of interest, requiring a third scan, etc. Multiple exposures are time-consuming and increase patient radiation dose. A digital x-ray tomosynthesis system comprises a static array of x-ray emitters and an x-ray detector and involves selecting a sub-set of x-ray emitters so no x-ray detector part is exposed to x-rays from more than nine of the sub-set and generating a composite image from non-overlapping portions of each respective image produced on the x-ray detector. A two-dimensional image of a subject may be produced using minimal radiation dose.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
The majority of image reconstruction algorithms are common to DT and CT, and require reconstruction volume allocation and are based on ray tracing techniques. Reconstructed three-dimensional images become available only after the entire volume is processed and the algorithm completes. The present invention performs reconstruction on a slice-by-slice basis, instead of waiting for completion of the algorithm by back-projecting each pixel in each attenuation image towards the emitter that generated that image, onto a selected reconstruction slice and determining a proportion of overlap with grid cells in the slice to obtain weighting factors in order to calculate an average back-projected intensity for each grid cell in the selected reconstruction slice.
Digital Tomosynthesis (DT) is a type of limited angle tomography providing the benefits of 3D imaging. Much like Computerized Tomography (CT), DT allows greater detection of 3D structures by viewing one slice at a time. In contrast to CT, the DT projection dataset is incomplete, which violates the tomographic sufficiency conditions and results in limited angle artefacts in the reconstructed images. The present invention provides a method of producing a tomogram in which reconstruction is performed along lines on the x-ray detector panel 20 defined by a point on the detector panel 20 closest to a point location of the x-ray emitter 10, to a location of a respective pixel on the perimeter of the x-ray detector panel 20. In this way, artefact reduction is achieved, particularly at higher cone beam angles, and at lower stand-off distances.
To obtain functional information 110 energising a first set of x-ray emitters of the panel over a first period of time and directing the x-rays at the first object; using the detector to detect the x-rays 35 after passing through the first object; processing the detected x-rays to create a first set of images to obtain tomosynthesis data 100; energising a second set of x-ray emitters of the panel over a second period of time and directing the x-rays at the first object; using the detector to detect the x-rays after passing through the first object; processing the detected x-rays to create a second set of images to obtain tomosynthesis data, wherein the number of emitters used in the second period of time is less than used in the first period of time; and comparing at least some images from each set of images to provide functional information.
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 5/08 - Dispositifs de mesure pour examiner les organes respiratoires
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A61B 6/40 - Agencements pour générer des radiations spécialement adaptés au diagnostic par radiations
An x-ray imaging apparatus 10 comprising a support structure 100, the support structure supporting two separate x-ray emitting apparatus, a first x-ray emitting apparatus 130 comprising an x-ray emitter arranged for producing 2D tomosynthesis images, and a second x-ray emitting apparatus 140 comprising an array of distributed x-ray emitters arranged for producing 3D tomosynthesis images, the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus moveable relative to the support structure and arranged such that, in use, one of the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus is moveable into an operative position whereby x-rays are emitted therefrom towards a target 200, and simultaneously the other of the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus is movable into an inoperative position whereby x-rays are not emitted therefrom.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/14 - Applications ou adaptations à l'art dentaire
38.
X-RAY DETERMINATION OF AN OBJECT'S LOCATION WITHIN A BODY
Foreign objects, usually small and dense, can be easy to see on an x-ray but difficult to precisely locate on 2D radiographs (due to lack of depth information). A CT scan is commonly performed before surgery to locate the shrapnel for removal as this type of scan provides a precise location. This can be very useful in a hospital setting, but (due to the bulky size of the CT equipment and the complex use and readout) is not practical for in-the-field use. Digital tomosynthesis (DT) gives better diagnostic information than 2D X-ray, rivalling CT. However, tomosynthesis reconstruction requires sophisticated algorithms and a powerful computer, and can take several minutes to complete. The present invention takes a single x-ray image of a body (50) using multiple sources. In normal tomography and tomosynthesis imaging, such overlapping cones would lead to un-reconstructable data as significant overlap, in general, can't be deconvolved and is not soluble. However, here, for the detection and localisation of dense, compact objects (40), a location of an object (40) may be determined in three spatial dimensions from a single two-dimensional image. That is, processor-intensive reconstruction of a three-dimensional volume may be avoided.
G01T 1/161 - Applications au domaine de la médecine nucléaire, p. ex. comptage in vivo
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
G01V 5/00 - Prospection ou détection au moyen de rayonnement ionisant, p. ex. de la radioactivité naturelle ou provoquée
To produce 3D x-ray images, it is necessary to compensate for patient movement during the emission and detection of x-rays; this may be achieved by providing an x-ray sensor 20 comprising a digital x-ray detector 40, and an inertial sensor 50, 60 for providing positional information relating to changes in the relative position of the x-ray sensor during detection of x-rays.
A61B 6/14 - Applications ou adaptations à l'art dentaire
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
The present invention seeks to reduce the burden of producing high-resolution tomograms by using an initial scan on a predetermined grid 10 to obtain a minimal set of images, and then regions of interest 20 are identified for further scanning. The further scanning locations 40 are determined by image entropy or gradient found in the previous iteration; such regions are indicative of edges, cracks or complex structure within the region. After each iteration, the level of information (e.g. image entropy or gradient) will decrease relative to the pixel/voxel size. In this way, a more efficient way to scan is achieved.
To identify and/or assess structural integrity of a composite material (400) comprising fiduciary markers (410) which attenuate x-rays to an extent greater than the rest of the material, a method is provided wherein x-ray 3D tomosynthesis images of the composite material are created using an array of x-ray emitters and a digital x-ray detector wherein the array of x-ray emitters and the digital x-ray detector are maintained in fixed relation to one another and to the composite material, the 3D tomosynthesis images being used to determine the relative location of at least some of the fiduciary markers with respect to one another; a database is provided for storing the relative location of at least some of the fiduciary markers with respect to one another, further x-ray 3D tomosynthesis images of the same, or a different, composite material may be checked against the data in the database to ascertain structural integrity and/or identity of the material.
G01N 23/046 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux en utilisant la tomographie, p. ex. la tomographie informatisée
G01N 23/044 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux en utilisant la laminographie ou la tomosynthèse
B22F 10/00 - Fabrication additive de pièces ou d’objets à partir de poudres métalliques
B29C 70/68 - Façonnage de matières composites, c.-à-d. de matières plastiques comprenant des renforcements, des matières de remplissage ou des parties préformées, p. ex. des inserts en incorporant ou en surmoulant des parties préformées, p. ex. des inserts ou des couches
The individual emitters are operated in multiple groups each illuminating a region of interest between the emitter array and the detector array such that the cone of radiation rays projected on the detector array from any single emitter in any one such group is substantially spatially separated from the corresponding projected cones from all other emitters in that same group. At least the ROI portion of the 3D space between the emitter panel and the detector panel is represented by 3D volume elements (voxels), wherein at least some of those voxels represent respective portions of that space that are traversed by corresponding portions of a plurality of radiation rays each extending from a respective emitter to a respective detector and are associated with respective absorption coefficients representative of the radiation absorption characteristic of a corresponding portion of the ROI. The image reconstruction process is an iterative process in which neighboring voxels having similar calculated coefficients are combined into larger voxels, neighboring voxels having dissimilar calculated coefficients are divided into smaller voxels, and new absorption coefficients are calculated.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
To reduce dose without a reduction of the quality of x-ray images a method of obtaining x-ray images of a first object obscured by a second object is described; the method comprising the steps of: providing an x-ray imaging apparatus (10) comprising a panel (30) including an array of individually energisable x-ray emitters, a detector (40) and a processor (50), wherein the array and the detector remain stationary relative to one another and the second object; energising a first set of x-ray emitters of the panel over a first period of time and directing the x-rays at the first object and surrounding area; using the detector to detect the x-rays after passing through the first object and surrounding area; processing the detected x-rays to create a first x-ray image of the first object and surrounding area; selecting a region of interest (74) from the first x-ray image which is smaller than the image of the first object and surrounding area; energising a second set of x-ray emitters of the panel over a second period of time and directing the x-rays at the region of interest; using the detector to detect the x-rays after passing through the region of interest (74); and processing the detected x-rays to create a set of images (100) of the region of interest to obtain tomosynthesis data showing the structure of the region of interest.
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
44.
A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING AN X-RAY IMAGE OF A SUBJECT
Image quality for flat-panel array tomosynthesis acquisition is not equivalent to CT because of the reduced number of image angles that are acquired in DT, and also image quality is not uniform throughout the volume and decreases near to the fixed detector array and the fixed flat-panel source. The present invention provides a system for obtaining an X-ray image of a subject (1) in which an emitter panel (3) and detector (7) are movable on a smart armature (9). In this way, image quality can be improved, for example by combining acquisitions taken from different orientations, thereby approaching the quality of conventional CT imaging, whilst still maintaining the lower cost and dose of conventional DT imaging.
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
Initial alignment of a tomosynthesis system, in order to correctly image a region of interest, requires skill on the part of the operator, particularly where the region of interest is an internal structure with only limited surface features. It can be tens of seconds, sometimes minutes, to reconstruct an entire 3D tomosynthesis image, and therefore it can take this long before an operator realises that a subsequent scan is required. In this time, the patient may have moved and a second scan could also potentially miss the region of interest, requiring a third scan, and so on. Multiple exposures are not only time-consuming, but also increase the dosage of radiation received by a patient. The present invention provides a digital x-ray tomosynthesis system comprising a static array of x-ray emitters and an x-ray detector and involves selecting a sub-set of x-ray emitters such that no part of the x-ray detector is exposed to x-rays from more than nine of the sub-set and generating a composite image (50) from non-overlapping portions of each of the respective images (52, 53) produced on the x-ray detector. In this way, a two-dimensional image of a subject may be produced using a minimal dosage of radiation.
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
The majority of image reconstruction algorithms are common to DT and CT, and require reconstruction volume allocation and are based on ray tracing techniques. Reconstructed three-dimensional images become available only after the entire volume is processed and the algorithm completes. The present invention performs reconstruction on a slice-by-slice basis, instead of waiting for completion of the algorithm by back-projecting each pixel in each attenuation image towards the emitter that generated that image, onto a selected reconstruction slice and determining a proportion of overlap with grid cells in the slice to obtain weighting factors in order to calculate an average back-projected intensity for each grid cell in the selected reconstruction slice.
Digital Tomosynthesis (DT) is a type of limited angle tomography providing the benefits of 3D imaging. Much like Computerized Tomography (CT), DT allows greater detection of 3D structures by viewing one slice at a time. A high in-plane resolution, three- dimensionality and a low radiation dose make DT an attractive alternative to CT in many medical imaging applications. In contrast to CT, the DT projection dataset is incomplete, which violates the tomographic sufficiency conditions and results in limited angle artefacts in the reconstructed images. Although DT is a volumetric imaging technique and provides information on an object's internal structure, the entire 3D information about the object cannot be reconstructed. Therefore, one of the important issues is the improvement of the tomosynthesis image quality. There is generally a desire to reduce the stand-off distance (SID or SOD). If one attempts to do this using existing known approaches, then a large distortion is introduced and hence a shift in the path length (and thus in the attenuation), which can lead to problems. The present invention provides a method of producing a tomogram in which reconstruction is performed along lines on the x-ray detector panel 20 defined by a point on the detector panel 20 closest to a point location of the x-ray emitter 10, to a location of a respective pixel on the perimeter of the x-ray detector panel 20. In this way, artefact reduction is achieved, particularly at higher cone beam angles, and at lower stand-off distances.
To obtain functional information (110) of a first object (20) obscured by a second object, with relatively low radiation dosage, a method is described of providing an x-ray imaging apparatus (10) comprising a panel (30) including an array of individually energisable x-ray emitters, a detector (40) and a processor (50), wherein the array and the detector remain stationary relative to one another and at least a portion of the second object; energising a first set of x-ray emitters of the panel over a first period of time and directing the x-rays at the first object; using the detector to detect the x-rays (35) after passing through the first object; processing the detected x-rays to create a first set of images to obtain tomosynthesis data (100) showing the structure of the first object; energising a second set of x-ray emitters of the panel over a second period of time and directing the x-rays at the first object; using the detector to detect the x-rays after passing through the first object; processing the detected x-rays to create a second set of images to obtain tomosynthesis data showing the structure of the first object, wherein the number of emitters used in the second period of time is less than the number of emitters used in the first period of time; and comparing at least some images from each set of images to provide functional information relating to the density of the first object.
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
An x-ray imaging device (10) comprising at least two substantially planar panels (20, 21), each panel comprising a plurality of x-ray emitters housed in a vacuum enclosure, wherein the at least two panels each have a central panel axis (28) and are arranged such that their central panel axes are non-parallel to one another, the device further comprising a panel retaining means and arranged such that the panel retaining means retains the at least two panels stationary in relation to an object during x-raying of the object.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
G21K 1/02 - Dispositions pour manipuler des particules ou des rayonnements ionisants, p. ex. pour focaliser ou pour modérer utilisant des diaphragmes, des collimateurs
An x-ray imaging apparatus (10) comprising a support structure (100), the support structure supporting two separate x-ray emitting apparatus, a first x-ray emitting apparatus (130) comprising an x-ray emitter arranged for producing 2D tomosynthesis images, and a second x-ray emitting apparatus (140) comprising an array of distributed x-ray emitters arranged for producing 3D tomosynthesis images, the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus moveable relative to the support structure and arranged such that, in use, one of the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus is moveable into an operative position whereby x-rays are emitted therefrom towards a target (200), and simultaneously the other of the first and second x-ray emitting apparatus is movable into an inoperative position whereby x-rays are not emitted therefrom.
A61B 6/14 - Applications ou adaptations à l'art dentaire
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
To achieve high quality x-ray imaging, it is important to be able to control the production of x-rays in an x-ray generator. This is achieved by an x-ray generator comprising an array of electron field emitters for producing paths of electrons, target material comprising x-ray photon producing material configured to emit x-ray photons in response to the incidence of produced electrons upon it, an array of magnetic-field generators for affecting the paths of the produced electrons from the array of electron field emitters such that one or more paths are divertable away from the x-ray photon producing material so as to reduce the production of x-ray photons by the said one or more paths of electrons, the generator further comprising a sensing circuit arranged to measure the amount of electrical charge emitted by one or more electron emitter, and a controller for controlling the array of magnetic-field generators in response to the amount of electrical charge measured.
H05G 1/52 - Commande de la dimension de la cible ou de sa formeCommande de la direction du faisceau d'électrons, p. ex. dans des tubes avec une anode et plus d'une cathode
H01J 35/14 - Dispositifs de concentration, de focalisation ou d'orientation du rayon cathodique
H01J 35/30 - Tubes, dans lesquels le point d'impact du rayon cathodique sur l'anode ou l'anticathode est déplaçable par rapport à la surface de celles-ci par déviation du rayon cathodique
An x-ray imaging system and method for reconstructing three-dimensional images of a region of interest from spatially and temporally overlapping x-rays using novel reconstruction techniques are provided. The x-ray imaging system may include a detector to generate a signal in response to x-rays incident upon the detector, wherein the signal indicates the intensity of the x-rays incident upon a pixel of the detector, a plurality of x-ray sources arranged to emit x-rays such that said x-rays pass through a region of interest (ROI) and spatially and temporally overlap at the pixel of the detector, and a processing unit to receive the signal indicating the intensity of x-rays incident upon the pixel of the detector and generate an estimate of the intensity attributable to each of the two or more x-rays overlapping at the pixel of the detector.
G01N 23/04 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux
G01N 23/10 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et mesurant l'absorption le matériau étant confiné dans un récipient, p. ex. scanners de bagage à rayons X
A portable x-ray imaging source (100) capable of motion-free x-ray tomosynthesis, wherein said source is suitable for dental and small body-part/small area imaging.
H01J 35/30 - Tubes, dans lesquels le point d'impact du rayon cathodique sur l'anode ou l'anticathode est déplaçable par rapport à la surface de celles-ci par déviation du rayon cathodique
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/14 - Applications ou adaptations à l'art dentaire
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
H01J 35/14 - Dispositifs de concentration, de focalisation ou d'orientation du rayon cathodique
An x-ray imaging device (10) comprising at least two substantially planar panels (20, 21), each panel comprising a plurality of x-ray emitters housed in a vacuum enclosure, wherein the at least two panels each have a central panel axis (28) and are arranged such that their central panel axes are non-parallel to one another, the device further comprising a panel retaining means and arranged such that the panel retaining means retains the at least two panels stationary in relation to an object during x-raying of the object.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
G21K 1/02 - Dispositions pour manipuler des particules ou des rayonnements ionisants, p. ex. pour focaliser ou pour modérer utilisant des diaphragmes, des collimateurs
G21K 5/02 - Dispositifs d'irradiation n'ayant aucun moyen pour former le faisceau
To achieve high quality x-ray imaging, it is important to be able to control the production of x-rays in an x-ray generator. This is achieved by an x-ray generator comprising an array of electron field emitters for producing paths of electrons, target material comprising x-ray photon producing material configured to emit x-ray photons in response to the incidence of produced electrons upon it, an array of magnetic-field generators for affecting the paths of the produced electrons from the array of electron field emitters such that one or more paths are divertable away from the x-ray photon producing material so as to reduce the production of x-ray photons by the said one or more paths of electrons, the generator further comprising a sensing circuit arranged to measure the amount of electrical charge emitted by one or more electron emitter, and a controller for controlling the array of magnetic-field generators in response to the amount of electrical charge measured.
A portable x-ray imaging source (100) capable of motion-free x-ray tomosynthesis, wherein said source is suitable for dental and small body-part/small area imaging.
An x-ray imaging system and method for reconstructing three-dimensional images of a region of interest from spatially and temporally overlapping x-rays using novel reconstruction techniques.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A method of designing an x-ray emitter panel 100 including the step of determining a pitch scale, r, to be used in placing x-ray emitter elements 110 on the panel 100, thereby arriving at a specific design of x-ray emitter panel 100 suitable for a specific use.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
The disclosed system includes an emitter array for generating x-rays, a detector array for sensing a flux of x-rays transmitted through a region of interest; apparatus for holding, moving and aligning the emitter array relative to the region of interest and the detector array; electronic means for controlling the emitters and for reading and analyzing the output from the detectors and converting it to image data, and a display for displaying and manipulating the image data. The individual emitters are operated in multiple groups each illuminating a region of interest between the emitter array and the detector array such that the cone of radiation rays projected on the detector array from any single emitter in any one such group is substantially spatially separated from the corresponding projected cones from all other emitters in that same group.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
The individual emitters are operated in multiple groups each illuminating a region of interest between the emitter array and the detector array such that the cone of radiation rays projected on the detector array from any single emitter in any one such group is substantially spatially separated from the corresponding projected cones from all other emitters in that same group. At least the ROI portion of the 3D space between the emitter panel and the detector panel is represented by 3D volume elements (voxels), wherein at least some of those voxels represent respective portions of that space that are traversed by corresponding portions of a plurality of radiation rays each extending from a respective emitter to a respective detector and are associated with respective absorption coefficients representative of the radiation absorption characteristic of a corresponding portion of the ROI. The image reconstruction process is an iterative process in which neighboring voxels having similar calculated coefficients are combined into larger voxels, neighboring voxels having dissimilar calculated coefficients are divided into smaller voxels, and new absorption coefficients are calculated.
A61B 6/02 - Agencements pour établir un diagnostic dans des plans différents successifsDiagnostic stéréoscopique utilisant des radiations
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
The disclosed system includes an emitter array for generating x-rays, a detector array for sensing a flux of x-rays transmitted through a region of interest; apparatus for holding, moving and aligning the emitter array relative to the region of interest and the detector array; electronic means for controlling the emitters and for reading and analyzing the output from the detectors and converting it to image data, and a display for displaying and manipulating the
image data. The individual emitters are operated in multiple groups each illuminating a region of interest between the emitter array and the detector array such that the cone of radiation rays projected on the detector array from any single emitter in anyone such group is substantially spatially separated from the corresponding projected cones from all other emitters in that same group.
An x-ray collimator that may include a substrate containing a plurality of holes, each hole being frustoconical at one end and tubular at the other end for use in an x-ray imaging system, whereby the x-ray collimator may be aligned with a two-dimensional array of x-ray sources and a two-dimensional x-ray sensor, and whereby x-ray photons from the x-ray sources may pass through the collimator holes and emerge as a beam of x-ray photons in a narrow angle cone which may pass through a subject being imaged, positioned between the output holes of the collimator and the x-ray sensor.
G21K 1/02 - Dispositions pour manipuler des particules ou des rayonnements ionisants, p. ex. pour focaliser ou pour modérer utilisant des diaphragmes, des collimateurs
G21K 1/10 - Dispositifs de diffusionDispositifs d'absorption
G01N 23/04 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par l'utilisation de rayonnement [ondes ou particules], p. ex. rayons X ou neutrons, non couvertes par les groupes , ou en transmettant la radiation à travers le matériau et formant des images des matériaux
An x-ray generator may include a plurality of electron field emitters; a target material; a plurality of energizable solenoid coils; and an electronic power and timing circuit. The generator may provide electrical current to at least one individual solenoid coil to create a magnetic field to cause the path of electrons emitted from the emitter closest to the energized solenoid coil to be defocused and/or deflected before the electrons reach the target material. The target material may comprise a low atomic number material and a high atomic number material, the high atomic number material being arranged in a regular pattern, such that, in use, the electrons may be aimed at either the high or the low atomic number material.
H01J 35/30 - Tubes, dans lesquels le point d'impact du rayon cathodique sur l'anode ou l'anticathode est déplaçable par rapport à la surface de celles-ci par déviation du rayon cathodique
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
A method of designing an x-ray emitter panel 100 including the step of determining a pitch scale, r, to be used in placing x-ray emitter elements 110 on the panel 100, thereby arriving at a specific design of x-ray emitter panel 100 suitable for a specific use.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
An x-ray collimator comprising: a substrate (10) containing a plurality of holes (30), each hole being frustoconical (40) at one end and tubular (50) at the other end for use in an x-ray imaging system, whereby the x-ray collimator is aligned with a two-dimensional array of x-ray sources (70) and a two-dimensional x-ray sensor (130), whereby x-ray photons from the x-ray sources pass through the collimator holes and emerge as a beam of x-ray photons in a narrow angle cone which pass through the subject (110) being imaged, positioned between the output holes of the collimator and the x-ray sensor.
G21K 1/02 - Dispositions pour manipuler des particules ou des rayonnements ionisants, p. ex. pour focaliser ou pour modérer utilisant des diaphragmes, des collimateurs
An x-ray generator is provided, comprising a plurality of electron field emitters (10); a target material (20); a plurality of energisable solenoid coils (40); and an electronic power and timing circuit. The generator is able to provide electrical current to at least one individual solenoid coil to create a magnetic field to cause the path (100) of electrons emitted from the emitter closest to the energised solenoid coil to be defocused and/or deflected before the electrons reach the target material; and wherein the target material comprises a low atomic number material and a high atomic number material, the high atomic number material being arranged in a regular pattern, such that, in use, the electrons may be aimed at either the high or the low atomic number material.
A61B 6/00 - Appareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiationsAppareils ou dispositifs pour le diagnostic par radiations combinés avec un équipement de thérapie par radiations
H01J 35/30 - Tubes, dans lesquels le point d'impact du rayon cathodique sur l'anode ou l'anticathode est déplaçable par rapport à la surface de celles-ci par déviation du rayon cathodique
