Method for manipulating radiation and radiation system

Abstract

a primary detector (16; 16a); irradiating the object with primary radiation (20; 20a) by the primary radiation source; detecting the primary radiation by the primary detector during each of a plurality of primary active periods (76; 76a), the primary radiation having interacted with the object; and irradiating the object with secondary radiation (24; 24b) by the secondary radiation source in secondary pulses (80; 80b) irradiated during a plurality of primary inactive periods (78; 78a), each primary inactive period being interleaved with a primary active period; no secondary pulses are irradiated during the primary active periods; and during each primary inactive period, the primary detector is inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation during the primary inactive period.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to Swedish Application No. 2251588-6, filed December 29, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0002] In a radiation system, a radiation source may transmit radiation through an object, such as a patient, and a detector may measure the attenuated radiation. The radiation may be converted into electrical signals, and a control system may process these signals to provide a desired image.

[0003] In some radiation systems, a primary radiation source and a secondary radiation source are used on the same object. The primary radiation from the primary radiation source may then be detected by a primary detector. The secondary radiation from the secondary radiation source may or may not be detected by a secondary detector. One example of such a radiation system uses the primary radiation to image a patient and the secondary radiation to treat the patient (such as in radiation therapy or radiotherapy). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0004] Further details, advantages, and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

[0005] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a radiation system, according to an example, including a primary detector. [Figure 2] 1 schematically represents a top view of a primary detector. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic representation of a partial cross-sectional side view of a primary detector taken along the line AA in FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an example readout circuit for a primary detector. [Figure 5] 1 shows a schematic representation of a timing diagram for a radiation system; [Figure 6]10 schematically illustrates a further example radiation system including a primary detector and a secondary detector; [Figure 7] 7 shows a schematic timing diagram of the radiation system in FIG. 6; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating the general steps of the method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In the following, a method for manipulating radiation relative to an object and a radiation system for manipulating radiation relative to an object are described, wherein the same or similar reference numbers are used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0007] In a radiation system comprising a primary radiation source that irradiates an object with primary radiation, a secondary radiation source that irradiates the object with pulsed secondary radiation, and a primary detector for detecting the primary radiation that has interacted with the object, there may be a risk that scatter from the interaction between the pulsed secondary radiation and the object will be recorded by the primary detector. This risk may be reduced by providing an anti-scatter grid on the primary detector. However, the anti-scatter grid may provide poor performance in that only a portion of the scatter is blocked, especially when the secondary radiation has high energy. Furthermore, the anti-scatter grid adds cost and may adversely affect the detection of the primary radiation.

[0008] The primary radiation may be projected onto the object during each of the multiple primary active periods and detected by the primary detector. The secondary radiation may be projected onto the object in pulses during multiple primary inactive periods and not projected during the primary active periods. In conjunction with capturing incident radiation during the primary inactive periods, deactivating the primary detector during each primary inactive period reduces or eliminates the risk of scatter from the secondary radiation being recorded by the primary detector without the use of an anti-scatter grid. The imaging performance of the radiation system may thereby be improved in a cost-effective manner.

[0009] 1 is a schematic representation of an example radiation system 10a, which includes a primary radiation source 12, a secondary radiation source 14, a primary detector 16, and a control system 18. The primary radiation source 12, the primary detector 16, and the control system 18 may be used for computed tomography (CT) scanning.

[0010] The primary radiation source 12 is configured to emit primary radiation 20 through an object, illustrated here as a human patient 22. The primary radiation source 12 may be, for example, an X-ray tube, and the primary radiation 20 may be, for example, X-rays. Furthermore, the primary radiation 20 may have, for example, an energy of at least 10 keV (kiloelectron volts) and / or less than 450 keV. Thus, the primary radiation 20 may be referred to as a keV imaging beam. The primary radiation 20 may be emitted as a cone beam. In some examples, the control system 18 controls the primary radiation source 12 to emit the primary radiation 20 in a pulsed manner.

[0011] After passing through the patient 22, the primary radiation 20 reaches the primary detector 16, where it is detected and directly converted into signals that represent a spatially resolved projection image of the patient 22. Thus, by detecting the primary radiation 20 that has passed through the patient 22 with the primary detector 16, the patient 22 can be imaged.

[0012] The secondary radiation source 14 is configured to deliver secondary radiation 24 through the patient 22. The secondary radiation source 14 may be, for example, a linear accelerator for generating the secondary radiation 24. The secondary radiation 24 may include x-rays or electrons. Furthermore, the secondary radiation 24 may have an energy of at least 0.5 MeV (megaelectron volts), such as 1 MeV to 10 MeV, such as 2 MeV to 9 MeV. Thus, the secondary radiation 24 may be referred to as an MeV treatment beam. The secondary radiation 24 may be used to treat the patient 22, for example, for cancer. The secondary radiation 24 may be focused on a treatment area of ​​the patient 22, such as a small area containing the cancer. In this example, the primary radiation 20 and the secondary radiation 24 are delivered onto the patient 22 in a common plane, which is here parallel to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 1 .

[0013] In an example, the primary radiation source 12 and the secondary radiation source 14 may be commonly arranged to rotate around the patient 22. The primary radiation source 12 and the secondary radiation source 14 may therefore be fixed relative to each other. The primary radiation source 12 and the secondary radiation source 14 may, for example, be angularly spaced 90° apart about an axis of rotation about the patient 22.

[0014] A control system 18 is operatively connected to the primary radiation source 12, the secondary radiation source 14, and the primary detector 16. In Figure 1, the control system 18 controls the primary radiation source 12 to continuously emit primary radiation 20. In addition, the control system 18 controls the secondary radiation source 14 to emit pulsed secondary radiation 24, as indicated by the dotted line for the secondary radiation 24.

[0015] The control system 18 is configured to receive imaging data from the primary detector 16, e.g., in the form of serial data, from each readout circuit associated with each pixel of the primary detector 16. The control system 18 may be configured to generate two-dimensional (2D) projection images based on the imaging data. The 2D images may be used by the control system 18 to reconstruct, e.g., three-dimensional (3D) images of the patient 22, using, among other things, known principles of computed tomography.

[0016] The control system 18 of this example includes a data processing device 26 and a memory 28. The memory 28 stores a computer program that includes program code that, when executed by the data processing device 26, causes or directs the data processing device 26 to perform the various steps described herein.

[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , scatter 30 is generated by interactions between the primary radiation 20 and the patient 22 and between the secondary radiation 24 and the patient 22. Scattering can occur due to absorption within the patient 22, and the scatter 30 can be emitted from the patient 22 at any angle. A large portion of the scatter 30 can be Compton scatter. When the secondary radiation 24 has an energy of at least 0.5 MeV, the amount of scatter 30 induced by the secondary radiation 24 can be significant. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a portion of the scatter 30 from the secondary radiation 24 is incident on the primary detector 16. If the scatter 30 from the secondary radiation 24 is not managed and / or attenuated, the scatter 30 can cause noise in the imaging data of the patient 22 when imaging the primary radiation 20. This noise can result in reduced quality imaging.

[0018] As an alternative to using an anti-scatter grid as described above, the effects of scatter 30 on imaging can be avoided by first performing and completing a treatment sequence using secondary radiation 24 and then performing an imaging sequence using primary radiation 20 (or vice versa). However, this may be undesirable. For example, it may be desirable to provide an image as close in time as possible to the pulse of secondary radiation 24. Furthermore, there is a risk of organ movement in patient 22 during such a sequence.

[0019] The primary detector 16 can be a direct conversion detector or an indirect conversion detector. Direct conversion detectors may have advantages over indirect conversion detectors that involve scintillators, which may be subject to residual afterglow from the secondary radiation 24 even after the secondary radiation 24 pulse has turned off, particularly with higher energies. Thus, in contrast to indirect conversion detectors, such as scintillator detectors, which have afterglow at the detector, the direct conversion primary detector 16 can be gated to record radiation only during a defined, longer period closer to the secondary radiation 24 pulse, as described below. Due to these and other advantages of direct conversion detectors, references to the primary detector 16 refer to features of a direct conversion detector, although the operations may also apply to indirect conversion detectors.

[0020] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a top view of the primary detector 16. The primary detector 16 includes a plurality of pixels 32-11-32 nm. The primary detector 16 may include, for example, at least 1000 pixels 32-11-32 nm. Each pixel 32-11-32 nm may also be referred to by the reference numeral "32." The pixels 32 may be distributed across at least a majority of the primary detector 16, such as across the entire primary detector 16. In this example, the pixels 32 form a two-dimensional array. The primary detector 16 includes n rows of pixels 32 and m columns of pixels 32, where each of n and m is a positive integer.

[0021] In this example, each pixel 32 has a square shape. Examples of alternative shapes for the pixels 32 include non-square rectangular shapes and hexagonal shapes.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of the primary detector 16 taken along the line AA in Figure 2. The primary detector 16 in this example includes a conversion element 34 and a readout substrate 36, e.g., a readout application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) substrate. The primary detector 16 in this example further includes a support substrate 38. The pixels 32 are provided in the conversion element 34.

[0023] The conversion element 34 may be constituted by at least one semiconductor substrate, such as a cadmium telluride (CdTe) or cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe or CZT) substrate, and may include a continuous conversion substrate or multiple separate conversion sections.

[0024] The conversion element 34 in this example further includes a plurality of charge collection electrodes 40, here implemented as contact pads. Each pixel 32 may be defined by a charge collection electrode 40.

[0025] When X-rays (or other types of ionizing radiation) strike the conversion element 34, electron-hole pairs are generated within the conversion element 34 in response to the absorbed energy (hence the term "direct conversion"). Under the influence of an electric field applied across the conversion element 34, these electrons (holes) are transported to an associated charge collection electrode 40. The conversion element 34 is thus configured to generate one or more charge carriers in response to the incident radiation. For example, the conversion element 34 may receive and directly convert incident X-ray photons into charges. According to one example, the primary detector 16 may be deactivated in connection with the capture of the incident radiation by deactivating this electric field applied across the conversion element 34.

[0026] The readout substrate 36 may include multiple readout circuits 42-21, 42-22, and 42-23 through 42-2m. Each readout circuit 42-21, 42-22, and 42-23 through 42-2m may also be referred to by the reference numeral "42." Each readout circuit 42 includes a readout electrode 44, here implemented as a contact pad. The primary detector 16 of this example includes one readout circuit 42 associated with each pixel 32.

[0027] The primary detector 16 further includes a plurality of interconnects 46. Each pair of one pixel 32 and one readout circuit 42 is connected by an interconnect 46. In Figure 2, the interconnects 46 are illustrated as solder bumps between the charge collection electrodes 40 and the associated readout electrodes 44. Each readout electrode 44 thereby serves as an input to the associated readout circuit 42. However, other types of interconnects 46 are contemplated.

[0028] Each readout circuit 42 includes electronic components with a function specific to the associated pixel 32. The readout circuits 42 are arranged to process signals generated by radiation incident on the conversion elements 34.

[0029] 4 schematically illustrates an example of a readout circuit 42 of a primary detector 16. As illustrated, readout electrodes 44 receive electrical input signals 48 from associated pixels 32. The primary detector 16 may include, for example, at least 1000 pixels 32 and a readout circuit 42 according to FIG. 4 associated with each pixel 32. The readout circuit 42 is configured to operate on the input signals 48 from the associated pixels 32.

[0030] The readout circuit 42 of this example includes a charge-sensitive amplifier 50. The charge-sensitive amplifier 50 is configured to receive and amplify an input signal 48 from a pixel 32 associated with the readout circuit 42, and to output an electrical amplified signal 52.

[0031] The readout circuit 42 of this example further includes at least one comparator 54. The readout circuit 42 may include multiple comparators, such as p comparators 54-1 and 54-2 through 54-p, where p is a positive integer. Each comparator 54-1 and 54-2 through 54-p may be referred to by the reference numeral "54." For example, the output of the charge-sensitive amplifier 50 may be coupled to the input of each comparator 54.

[0032] Each comparator 54 includes a unique threshold value 56-1 and 56-2 through 56-p. Figure 4 shows p threshold values ​​56-1 and 56-2 through 56-p. For example, the first comparator 54-1 includes a first threshold value 56-1, and the second comparator 54-2 includes a second threshold value 56-2 that is different from the first threshold value 56-1. Each threshold value 56-1 and 56-2 through 56-p may also be referred to by the reference numeral "56."

[0033] Each comparator 54 is configured to compare the amplified signal 52 with an associated threshold 56 and output a respective detection signal including a respective detection data 58-1, 58-2, 58-3, 58-4, 58-5, 58-6, 58-7, 58-8, 58-9, 58-10, 58-11, 58-12, 58-13, 58-14, 58-15, 58-16, 58-17, 58-18, 58-19, 58-20, 58-21, 58-22, 58-23, 58-24, 58-25, 58-26, 58-27, 58-28, 58-29, 58-21, 58-22, 58-23, 58-24, 58-25, 58-26, 58-27, 58-28, 58-29, 58-29, 58-21, 58-22, 58-23, 58-24, 58-25, 58-25, 58-26, 58-27, 58-28, 58-29 ... Each of the detection data 58-1 and 58-2 through 58-p may also be referred to by the reference numeral "58." Each of the detection data 58 may be composed of a pulse of a respective detection signal. Thus, the detection data 58 indicates radiation incident on each pixel 32 of the primary detector 16.

[0034] The readout circuit 42 of this example further includes one counter 60 associated with each comparator 54. FIG. 4 shows p counters 60-1 and 60-2 through 60-p associated with a common pixel 32. Each counter 60-1 and 60-2 through 60-p may also be referred to by the reference numeral "60." For example, the first counter 60-1 may be associated with the first comparator 54-1, and the second counter 60-2 may be associated with the second comparator 54-2. The output of each comparator 54 may be directly or indirectly coupled to an input of the counter 60.

[0035] Each counter 60 is configured to aggregate respective detection data 58, such as pulses of a respective detection signal, to provide respective aggregate detection data 62. FIG. 4 illustrates p aggregate detection data 62-1, 62-2, . . . 62-p. Each aggregate detection data 62-1, 62-2, . . . 62-p may also be referred to by the reference numeral "62." For example, the first counter 60-1 may aggregate first detection data 58-1, which is constituted by one or more pulses of the first detection signal, as first aggregate detection data 62-1, and the second counter 60-2 may aggregate second detection data 58-2, which is constituted by one or more pulses of the second detection signal, as second aggregate detection data 62-2. Each counter 60 may store the respective aggregate detection data 62 as an aggregate detection value that is incremented by one for each pulse of the associated detection signal.

[0036] Here, each counter 60 is configured to be reset in response to a reset signal 64. For example, each of the first counter 60-1 and the second counter 60-2 may be reset in response to the reset signal 64. Each counter 60 may be configured to reset the associated aggregate detection data 62 in response to the reset signal 64, for example, by resetting the aggregate detection value to zero. The control system 18 may instruct the issuance of the reset signal 64. For example, an output of the control system 18 may be coupled to an input of each counter 60.

[0037] The read circuit 42 of this example further includes one register 66 associated with each counter 60. FIG. 4 shows p registers 66-1 and 66-2 to 66-p. Each register 66-1 and 66-2 to 66-p may also be referred to by the reference numeral "66." For example, the output of each counter 60 may be coupled to the input of the register 66.

[0038] Each register 66 is configured to collect respective aggregated detected data 62 from the associated counter 60 in response to a collection signal 68. For example, a first register 66-1 may collect first aggregated detected data 62-1 from a first counter 60-1 in response to the collection signal 68, and a second register 66-2 may collect second aggregated detected data 62-2 from a second counter 60-2 in response to the collection signal 68. The control system 18 may direct the issuance of the collection signal 68. For example, a collection output of the control system 18 may be coupled to a collection input of each register 66.

[0039] Each register 66 is configured to read out a respective aggregated detected data 62 in response to a read signal 70. For example, the first register 66-1 may read out the first aggregated detected data 62-1 in response to the read signal 70, and the second register 66-2 may read out the second aggregated detected data 62-1 in response to the read signal 70. The control system 18 may instruct the issuance of the read signal 70. For example, a read output of the control system 18 may be coupled to a read input of each register 66.

[0040] 4 also shows signal line 72. The readout circuit 42 of the present example is configured to receive serial data from one or more other readout circuits 42 of the primary detector 16 via signal line 72. In response to readout signal 70, each register 66 reads out its respective aggregated detected data 62, whereby the aggregated detected data 62 is added to the serial data and passed to the next readout circuit 42, and so on, until serial data 74 is read out from the last readout circuit 42. The serial data 74 may constitute imaging data for processing by the control system 18.

[0041] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a timing diagram for the radiation system 10a. More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates the primary radiation 20, the acquisition signal 68, the reset signal 64, the detected data 58, and the secondary radiation 24 as a function of time t. FIG. 5 illustrates several successive time points t1-t7. The timing diagram in FIG. 5 is described with reference to a single pixel 32, a single comparator 54, a single counter 60, and a single register 66 of the primary detector 16. However, the timing diagram in FIG. 5 correspondingly applies to each pixel 32 of the primary detector 16 and, when multiple comparators 54 are used, to the counter 60 and register 66 in each readout circuit 42 associated with each pixel 32.

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates multiple primary active periods 76 and multiple primary inactive periods 78. The primary active periods 76 and primary inactive periods 78 are alternately arranged. Each primary inactive period 78 is interleaved with a primary active period 76. In this example, each primary inactive period 78 is defined as the period from the end of the previous primary active period 76 to the start of the next primary active period 76, and each primary active period 76 is defined as the period from the end of the previous primary inactive period 78 to the start of the next primary inactive period 78. Here, the primary active periods 76 occur from the first time t1 to the second time t2, the third time t3 to the fourth time t4, and the fifth time t5 to the sixth time t6, etc. Here, the primary inactive periods 78 occur from the second time t2 to the third time t3, the fourth time t4 to the fifth time t5, and the sixth time t6 to the seventh time t7, etc.

[0043] In this example, primary radiation 20 is emitted continuously by primary radiation source 12, and secondary radiation 24 is emitted in secondary pulses 80. Each secondary pulse 80 is emitted during a primary inactive period 78. Each secondary pulse 80 has a secondary pulse time length 82. In this example, each secondary pulse time length 82 is shorter than the associated primary inactive period 78. Thus, in this example, each primary inactive period 78 includes a period when no secondary pulses 80 are emitted.

[0044] Each secondary pulse time length 82 may be a few microseconds (μs), such as at least 1 μs and / or less than 50 μs. The primary inactive period length of each primary inactive period 78 may be greater than the associated secondary pulse time length 82, for example, less than 100 μs. The secondary pulses 80 may be repeated every few milliseconds (ms). For example, the time between each two subsequent secondary pulses 80 may be 100 ms, such as at least 1 ms and / or less than 500 ms. Thus, the primary active period time length of each primary active period 76 may be at least 1 ms. In light of this, it should be apparent that the timing diagram of FIG. 5 may not be drawn to scale.

[0045] In this example, during the primary active periods 76, the collection signal 68 is not sent to the register 66 and the reset signal 64 is not sent to the counter 60. As a result, the detection data 58 of the counter 60 gradually increases due to the primary radiation 20 during each primary active period 76, and the counter 60 maintains the corresponding aggregate detection data 62 until it receives the reset signal 64 in the next primary inactive period 78. Thus, the primary detector 16 is configured to detect the primary radiation 20 during each of the multiple primary active periods 76.

[0046] In this example, a collection signal 68 is sent to the register 66 during each primary inactive period 78. The register 66 thereby collects aggregated sensor data 62 from the counter 60 during each primary inactive period 78. After the collection signal 68 is sent to the register 66, a reset signal 64 is sent to the counter 60. As shown in FIG. 5 , the reset signal 64 is now issued continuously during each remaining primary inactive period 78 to keep the counter 60 in a reset state. In this way, sensor data 58 is not collected during the primary inactive period 78. The counter 60 is therefore reset during each primary inactive period 78.

[0047] 5 , the detection data 58 also initially gradually increases during each primary inactive period 78. However, because the collection signal 68 is now transmitted immediately at the beginning of each primary inactive period 78, the aggregate detection data 62 corresponding to this additional detection data 58 is not collected by the register 66. Therefore, by transmitting the collection signal 68 immediately at the beginning of each primary inactive period 78 and issuing the reset signal 64 at the end of each primary inactive period 78, it is possible to ensure that the aggregate detection data 62 corresponds only to the detection data 58 from the respective previous primary active period 76. Furthermore, transmitting the collection signal 68 immediately at the beginning of each primary inactive period 78 and issuing the reset signal 64 at the end of each primary inactive period 78 constitutes an example of deactivating the primary detector 16 in relation to capturing incident radiation during the primary inactive period 78. Thus, during each primary active period 76, the primary detector 16 is in an active state in connection with capturing incident radiation during that primary active period 76, and during each primary inactive period 78, the primary detector 16 is in an inactive state in connection with capturing incident radiation during that primary inactive period 78.

[0048] Furthermore, because the reset signal 64 is issued at the end of each primary inactive period 78, detection data 58 from incident radiation during the primary inactive period 78 is not acquired and is not counted by the counter 60. Furthermore, by transmitting the acquisition signal 68 and irradiating the secondary pulse 80 during each primary inactive period 78, an image can be provided that is close in time to each secondary pulse 80.

[0049] In this example, one secondary pulse 80 of secondary radiation 24 is emitted during each primary inactive period 78, and no secondary pulse 80 of secondary radiation 24 is emitted during the primary active period 76. Because no secondary pulse 80 is emitted during the primary active period 76, and because the primary detector 16 is inactive in each primary inactive period 78 relative to capturing incident radiation during this primary inactive period 78, the primary detector 16 performs a gated acquisition that excludes recording any scatter 30 from the secondary radiation 24. This gated acquisition is synchronized with the secondary pulse 80, thereby acquiring only radiation detected during the primary active period 76 when no secondary pulse 80 is emitted. This feature of the primary detector 16 allows photon collection to be set to record only photons from the synchronized primary detector 16 while the secondary radiation source 14 is not outputting a secondary pulse 80. This gated acquisition is cost-effective because it does not require the primary detector 16 to be provided with an anti-scatter grid. Furthermore, in some instances, signal loss can be very low, such as about 0.1% loss, because acquisition is turned off for a few μs every few ms.

[0050] The read signal 70 may be transmitted to the register 66 at any time, causing the register 66 to read the respective aggregated detection data 62. For example, the read signal 70 may be transmitted during each primary inactive period 78. Alternatively, the read signal 70 may be transmitted to the register 66 during only a portion of the primary inactive period 78, such as every nth primary inactive period 78, where n is a positive integer.

[0051] Although the radiation system 10a has been illustrated in connection with a particular medical application, the radiation system 10a can be used in any application in which detection of primary radiation 20 from the primary radiation source 12 is adversely affected by scattering 30 from the pulsed secondary radiation 24.

[0052] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a radiation system 10b according to a further example. Differences with respect to the radiation system 10a are primarily described. The radiation system 10b comprises a primary radiation source 12a configured to emit primary radiation 20a, a secondary radiation source 14b configured to emit secondary radiation 24b, a primary detector 16a, and a secondary detector 16b. A control system 18 is operatively connected to the primary radiation source 12a, the secondary radiation source 14b, the primary detector 16a, and the secondary detector 16b. Here, the primary radiation source 12a is identical to the primary radiation source 12, and here, the primary detector 16a is identical to the primary detector 16a. In this example, the secondary detector 16b is of the same type as the primary detector 16a, e.g., identical thereto. The secondary detector 16b may therefore be a direct conversion detector or an indirect conversion detector.

[0053] In this example, the secondary radiation source 14b is of the same type as the primary radiation source 12a, e.g., identical thereto. Alternatively, the secondary radiation source 14b can be of the same type as the secondary radiation source 14, e.g., identical thereto. If the secondary radiation source 14b is an MeV radiation source like the secondary radiation source 14, the secondary detector 16b can be an MeV detector. In this case, the secondary detector 16b can be a direct conversion detector or an indirect conversion detector.

[0054] In this example, the primary radiation 20a and the secondary radiation 24b are projected onto a unique plane of the patient 22. That is, the primary radiation 20a and the secondary radiation 24b are offset in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of FIG.

[0055] In this example, control system 18 controls primary radiation source 12a to deliver primary radiation 20a onto patient 22 in a primary pulse, and controls secondary radiation source 14b to deliver secondary radiation 24b onto patient 22 in a secondary pulse.

[0056] Figure 7 shows a schematic timing diagram of the radiation system 10b. Differences with respect to Figure 5 are primarily described. In Figure 7, a primary pulse 80a of the primary radiation 20a and a secondary pulse 80b of the secondary radiation 24b are shown as a function of time t. In addition to the acquisition signal 68, reset signal 64, and detection data 58 associated with the primary detector 16a, Figure 7 also shows the acquisition signal 68, reset signal 64, and detection data 58 associated with the secondary detector 16b, which is illustrated here as being of the same type as the primary detector 16a.

[0057] Figure 7 shows several successive time points t11-t22. The timing diagram in Figure 7 is described with reference to a single pixel 32, single comparator 54, single counter 60, and single register 66 of the primary detector 16a, and with reference to a single pixel 32, single comparator 54, single counter 60, and single register 66 of the secondary detector 16b. However, the timing diagram in Figure 7 also applies to the counter 60 and register 66 in each readout circuit 42 associated with each pixel 32 of the primary detector 16a when multiple comparators 54 are used, and to the counter 60 and register 66 in each readout circuit 42 associated with each pixel 32 of the secondary detector 16b when multiple comparators 54 are used.

[0058] FIG. 7 illustrates multiple primary active periods 76a, multiple primary inactive periods 78a, multiple secondary active periods 76b, and multiple secondary inactive periods 78b. The primary active periods 76a and primary inactive periods 78a may correspond to the primary active periods 76 and primary inactive periods 78, respectively. Similar to the primary active periods 76a and primary inactive periods 78a, the secondary active periods 76b and secondary inactive periods 78b are also interleaved. Each secondary inactive period 78b is interleaved with a secondary active period 76b. In this example, each secondary inactive period 78b is comprised of the period between two secondary active periods 76b. Here, the primary active periods 76a occur from the eleventh time point t11 ​​to the twelfth time point t12, from the fifteenth time point t15 to the sixteenth time point t16, and from the nineteenth time point t19 to the twentieth time point t20, etc. Here, the primary inactive period 78a occurs from the twelfth time t12 to the fifteenth time t15, and from the sixteenth time t16 to the nineteenth time t19, etc. Here, the secondary active period 76b occurs from the thirteenth time t13 to the fourteenth time t14, from the seventeenth time t17 to the eighteenth time t18, and from the twenty-first time t21 to the twenty-second time t22, etc. Here, the secondary inactive period 78b occurs from the fourteenth time t14 to the seventeenth time t17, and from the eighteenth time t18 to the twenty-first time t21, etc.

[0059] In this example, one primary pulse 80a is irradiated during each secondary inactive period 78b, and one secondary pulse 80b is irradiated during each primary inactive period 78a. Although not shown, a primary pulse 80a may be irradiated during the ramp-up at the end of the secondary active period 76b and extend until the start of the secondary active period 76b, but the secondary pulse 80b is not irradiated during the primary active period 76a. Furthermore, in this example, each primary pulse 80a is irradiated primarily during the primary active period 76a, and each secondary pulse 80b is irradiated during the secondary active period 76b. Here, the primary active period 76a occurs during the secondary inactive period 78b and is shorter than the secondary inactive period 78b. Correspondingly, here, the secondary active period 76b occurs during the primary inactive period 78a and is shorter than the primary inactive period 78a. Each primary pulse 80a has a primary pulse time length 82a, and each secondary pulse 80b has a secondary pulse time length 82b.

[0060] Each primary pulse time length 82a may or may not be longer than the associated secondary inactive period 78b. For example, for each primary active period 76a, the associated primary pulse 80a may be ramped up at the end of the previous primary inactive period 78a (e.g., a setup time) and ramped down at the beginning of the subsequent primary inactive period 78a (e.g., a sustain time). In any case, each secondary inactive period 78b may include a period when the primary pulse 80a is not applied. In this example, each primary pulse time length 82a may be equal to or greater than each primary active period 76a.

[0061] Here, each secondary pulse time length 82b occurs within and is shorter than the associated primary inactive period 78a. Thus, here each primary inactive period 78a includes a period when no secondary pulse 80b is delivered. In this example, each secondary pulse time length 82b is equal to each secondary active period 76b.

[0062] One or both of the primary pulse time length 82a and the secondary pulse time length 82b may be a few microseconds, such as at least 1 microsecond and / or less than 100 microseconds. Alternatively, one of the primary pulse time length 82a and the secondary pulse time length 82b may be longer than the other of the primary pulse time length 82a and the secondary pulse time length 82b, such as at least 50% longer, at least 100% longer, or at least 1 ms and / or less than 10 ms. Alternatively, both the primary pulse time length 82a and the secondary pulse time length 82b may be a few milliseconds, such as at least 1 ms and / or less than 10 ms. In any case, each primary pulse time length 82a may be at least 90% of the associated secondary inactive period 78b, and / or each secondary pulse time length 82b may be at least 90% of the associated primary inactive period 78a.

[0063] In this example, during the primary active periods 76a, the collection signal 68 is not sent to the register 66 of the primary detector 16a, and the reset signal 64 is not sent to the counter 60 of the primary detector 16a. As a result, the detection data 58 of the counter 60 of the primary detector 16a gradually increases due to the primary radiation 20a during each primary active period 76a, and the counter 60 of the primary detector 16a maintains the corresponding aggregate detection data 62 until it receives the reset signal 64 during the next primary inactive period 78a. Thus, the primary detector 16a is configured to detect the primary radiation 20a during each of the multiple primary active periods 76a.

[0064] In this example, a collection signal 68 is transmitted to the register 66 of the primary detector 16a during each primary inactive period 78a. The register 66 thereby collects aggregate detection data 62 from the counter 60 during each primary inactive period 78a. After the collection signal 68 is transmitted to the register 66, a reset signal 64 is transmitted to the counter 60 of the primary detector 16a. As shown in FIG. 7 , the reset signal 64 is now issued continuously during each remaining primary inactive period 78a, keeping the counter 60 of the primary detector 16a in a reset state. The counter 60 of the primary detector 16a is thereby reset during each primary inactive period 78a. Each primary inactive period 78a may therefore be defined by an associated collection signal 68 and an associated reset signal 64.

[0065] By sending a collection signal 68 to the register 66 of the primary detector 16a immediately at the beginning of each primary inactive period 78a, and by issuing a reset signal 64 at the end of each primary inactive period 78a, it is possible to ensure that the aggregated detection data 62 in the primary detector 16a corresponds only to the detection data 58 from the respective previous primary active period 76a. Thus, during each primary active period 76a, the primary detector 16a is in an active state in connection with capturing incident radiation during that primary active period 76a, and during each primary inactive period 78a, the primary detector 16a is in an inactive state in connection with capturing incident radiation during that primary inactive period 78a.

[0066] Furthermore, a reset signal 64 is sent to the counter 60 of the primary detector 16a at the end of each primary inactive period 78a so that detected data 58 from incident radiation during the primary inactive period 78a is not acquired by the primary detector 16a. A readout signal 70 may, for example, be sent to the register 66 of the primary detector 16a during each primary inactive period 78a.

[0067] In this example, during the secondary active periods 76b, the acquisition signal 68 is not sent to the register 66 of the secondary detector 16b, and the reset signal 64 is not sent to the counter 60 of the secondary detector 16b. As a result, the detection data 58 of the counter 60 of the secondary detector 16b gradually increases due to the primary radiation 20a during each secondary active period 76b, and the counter 60 of the secondary detector 16b maintains the corresponding aggregate detection data 62 until it receives the reset signal 64 in the next secondary inactive period 78b. The secondary detector 16b is therefore configured to detect the secondary radiation 24b during each of the multiple secondary active periods 76b.

[0068] In this example, a collection signal 68 is sent to the register 66 of the secondary detector 16b during each secondary inactive period 78b. The register 66 thereby collects aggregated detection data 62 from the counter 60 during each secondary inactive period 78b. After the collection signal 68 is sent to the register 66, a reset signal 64 is sent to the counter 60 of the secondary detector 16b. As shown in FIG. 7 , the reset signal 64 is now issued continuously during each remaining secondary inactive period 78b to keep the counter 60 of the secondary detector 16b in a reset state. The counter 60 of the secondary detector 16b is therefore reset during each secondary inactive period 78b.

[0069] By sending a collection signal 68 to the register 66 of the secondary detector 16b immediately at the beginning of each secondary inactive period 78b and by issuing a reset signal 64 at the end of each secondary inactive period 78b, it is possible to ensure that the aggregated detection data 62 in the secondary detector 16b corresponds only to the detection data 58 from the respective previous secondary active period 76b. Thus, during each secondary active period 76b, the secondary detector 16b is in an active state in connection with capturing incident radiation during that secondary active period 76b, and during each secondary inactive period 78b, the secondary detector 16b is in an inactive state in connection with capturing incident radiation during that secondary inactive period 78b.

[0070] Furthermore, a reset signal 64 is sent to the counter 60 of the secondary detector 16b at the end of each secondary inactive period 78b so that detected data 58 from incident radiation during the secondary inactive period 78b is not acquired by the secondary detector 16b. A readout signal 70 may, for example, be sent to the register 66 of the secondary detector 16b during each secondary inactive period 78b.

[0071] The radiation system 10b enables primary images from a primary set of primary radiation sources 12a and primary detectors 16a to be acquired closely in time to secondary images acquired from a secondary set of secondary radiation sources 14b and secondary detectors 16b, without the primary images being corrupted or distorted by scatter 30 from the secondary radiation 24b and / or the secondary images being corrupted or distorted by scatter 30 from the primary radiation 20a.

[0072] 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the general steps of a method for manipulating radiation onto an object 22. The method comprises step S10 of providing a primary radiation source 12, 12a, a secondary radiation source 14, 14b, and a primary detector 16, 16a. The method further comprises step S12 of irradiating primary radiation 20, 20a onto the object 22 by the primary radiation source 12, 12a. The method further comprises step S14 of detecting, by the primary detector 16, 16a, the primary radiation 20, 20a during each of a plurality of primary activity periods 76, 76a, the primary radiation 20, 20a having interacted with the object 22. The method further includes a step S16 of irradiating the object 22 with secondary radiation 24, 24b by the secondary radiation source 14, 14b in secondary pulses 80, 80b irradiated during a plurality of primary inactive periods 78, 78a, each primary inactive period 78, 78a being interleaved with a primary active period 76, 76a, wherein no secondary pulses 80, 80b are irradiated during the primary active period 76, 76a, and during each primary inactive period 78, 78a the primary detector 16, 16a is inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation during that primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0073] The example method further includes step S18 of not detecting incident radiation by the primary detector 16, 16a during the primary inactive period 78, 78a. The example method further includes step S20 of not collecting detection data 58 indicative of incident radiation by the primary detector 16, 16a during the primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0074] The example method further includes step S22 of collecting detection data 58 indicative of primary radiation 20, 20a detected by the primary detectors 16, 16a during the primary active periods 76, 76a. The example method further includes step S24 of collecting, by each register 66, aggregate detection data 62 from an associated counter 60 during each primary inactive period 78, 78a. The example method further includes step S26 of resetting each counter 60 during each primary inactive period 78, 78a. The example method further includes step S28 of reading the aggregate detection data 62 from each register 66 during at least a portion of the primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0075] Some embodiments comprise a method for manipulating radiation onto an object 22, the method comprising the steps of: providing a primary radiation source 12, 12a, a secondary radiation source 14, 14b, and a primary detector 16, 16a in step S10; irradiating primary radiation 20, 20a onto the object 22 by the primary radiation source 12, 12a in step S12; detecting primary radiation 20, 20a by the primary detector 16, 16a during each of a plurality of primary activation periods 76, 76a in step S14, the primary radiation 20, 20a having interacted with the object 22; and 4, 14b, includes a step S16 of irradiating the object 22 with secondary radiation 24, 24b in secondary pulses 80, 80b irradiated during a plurality of primary inactive periods 78, 78a, each primary inactive period 78, 78a being interleaved with a primary active period 76, 76a; wherein the secondary pulses 80, 80b are not irradiated during the primary active period 76, 76a; and wherein during each primary inactive period 78, 78a, the primary detector 16, 16a is inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation during that primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0076] The secondary pulses 80, 80b are synchronized with and applied during the primary inactive periods 78, 78a. For example, one secondary pulse 80, 80b can be applied during each primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0077] The primary radiation 20, 20a may or may not be emitted in a primary pulse 80a. If the primary radiation 20, 20a is emitted in a primary pulse 80a, the primary pulse 80a may occur primarily during the primary active period 76, 76a.

[0078] The secondary radiation sources 14, 14b may be spaced apart from the primary radiation sources 12, 12a. For example, the secondary radiation sources 14, 14b may be at an angle of 5 to 170 degrees, such as 90 degrees, relative to the primary radiation sources 12, 12a with respect to the axis of rotation about the object 22.

[0079] In some embodiments, the primary detector 16, 16a does not detect incident radiation S18 during the primary inactive period 78, 78a and / or does not collect detection data 58 indicative of incident radiation S20 during the primary inactive period 78, 78a. In these manners, the primary detector 16, 16a is inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation. When the primary detector 16, 16a does not detect incident radiation or does not collect detection data 58 indicative of incident radiation, incident radiation is not captured by the primary detector 16, 16a.

[0080] In some embodiments, the method further comprises collecting S22 detection data 58 indicative of the primary radiation 20, 20a detected during a primary active period 76, 76a by the primary detector 16, 16a. The collection by the primary detector 16, 16a of detection data 58 indicative of the primary radiation 20, 20a detected during the primary active period 76, 76a may occur during this primary active period 76, 76a or during a subsequent primary inactive period 78, 78a, for example, before the secondary pulse 80, 80b is emitted in that primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0081] In some embodiments, the primary detector 16, 16a includes a plurality of pixels 32, one or more counters 60 associated with each pixel 32, each configured to aggregate detection data 58 indicative of the primary radiation 20, 20a detected during a primary activity period 76, 76a to provide aggregate detection data 62, and a register 66 associated with each counter 60, each register 66 configured to collect the aggregate detection data 62 from the associated counter 60.

[0082] In some embodiments, the method further comprises step S24 of collecting, by each register 66, aggregated detection data 62 from the associated counter 60 during each primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0083] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step S26 of resetting each counter 60 during each primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0084] In some embodiments, the method further comprises reading S28, during at least a portion of the primary inactive periods 78, 78a, the aggregated sensed data 62 from each register 66. According to one example, the method comprises reading S28, during each primary inactive period 78, 78a, the aggregated sensed data 62 from each register 66.

[0085] In some embodiments, the secondary radiation source 14, 14b is a linear accelerator.

[0086] In some embodiments, the secondary pulse duration 82, 82b of each secondary pulse 80, 80b is less than 100 μs. The secondary pulse duration 82, 82b can be shorter than the primary inactive period 78, 78a that includes the secondary pulse 80, 80b. In this case, the primary inactive period 78, 78a can include a period when the secondary radiation source 14, 14b does not generate a secondary pulse 80, 80b.

[0087] In some embodiments, the primary active period length of each primary active period 76, 76a is at least 1 ms.

[0088] In some embodiments, the secondary radiation 24, 24b has an energy of at least 0.5 MeV.

[0089] In some embodiments, the application of primary radiation 20, 20a onto object 22 occurs in primary pulses 80a by primary radiation source 12, 12a. Primary pulses 80a may be applied primarily during multiple primary active periods 76, 76a. A primary pulse time length 82a of each primary pulse 80a may be less than 100 μs.

[0090] In some embodiments, the primary radiation 20, 20 a is detected by the primary detector 16, 16 a by direct conversion during each of the multiple primary active periods 76, 76 a. In this case, the primary detector 16, 16 a may be a direct conversion detector. Alternatively, the primary radiation 20, 20 a may be detected by the primary detector 16, 16 a by indirect conversion during each of the multiple primary active periods 76, 76 a. In this case, the primary detector 16, 16 a may be an indirect conversion detector.

[0091] In some embodiments, the method further includes detecting, by the secondary detector 16b, the secondary radiation 24b that has interacted with the object 22 during each of the plurality of secondary active periods 76b. The secondary detector 16b may be a direct conversion detector or an indirect conversion detector. In the former case, detection by the secondary detector 16b may occur during the plurality of secondary active periods 76b. A secondary pulse 80b may be emitted during the secondary active period 76b. During each of the plurality of secondary inactive periods 78b, the secondary detector 16b may be inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation during that secondary inactive period 78b. Each secondary inactive period 78b may follow a unique secondary active period 76b.

[0092] The primary inactive period 78a may include the secondary active period 76b, which may include the secondary pulse 80b. Correspondingly, the secondary inactive period 78b may include the primary active period 76a, which may include the primary pulse 80a.

[0093] Some embodiments include a radiation system 10a, 10b for manipulating radiation onto an object 22, the radiation system 10a, 10b comprising: a primary radiation source 12, 12a configured to emit primary radiation 20, 20a; a secondary radiation source 14, 14b configured to emit secondary radiation 24, 24b; a primary detector 16, 16a configured to detect the primary radiation 20, 20a during each of a plurality of primary activation periods 76, 76a, the primary radiation 20, 20a having interacted with the object 22; and a control system 18 including at least one data processing device 26 and at least one memory 28 having at least one computer program stored therein, the at least one computer program being executed by the at least one data processing device 26. the at least one data processing device (26) includes program code for controlling the primary radiation source (12, 12a) to irradiate the object (22) with primary radiation (20, 20a); controlling the secondary radiation source (14, 14b) to irradiate the object (22) with secondary radiation (24, 24b) in secondary pulses (80, 80b) irradiated during a plurality of primary inactive periods (78, 78a), each primary inactive period (78, 78a) being interleaved with a primary active period (76, 76a); controlling the secondary radiation source (14, 14b) not to irradiate any secondary pulses (80, 80b) during the primary active period (76, 76a); and controlling the primary detector (16, 16a) to adopt an inactive state during each primary inactive period (78, 78a), wherein the primary detector (16, 16a) is inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation during the primary inactive period (78, 78a).

[0094] In some embodiments, the at least one computer program includes program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device 26, causes the at least one data processing device 26 to control the primary detector 16, 16a not to detect incident radiation during the primary inactive period 78, 78a; and / or to control the primary detector 16, 16a not to collect detection data 58 indicative of incident radiation during the primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0095] In some embodiments, the at least one computer program includes program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device 26, causes the at least one data processing device 26 to control the primary detector 16, 16a to collect detection data 58 indicative of the primary radiation 20, 20a detected during the primary activity period 76, 76a.

[0096] In some embodiments, the primary detector 16, 16a includes a plurality of pixels 32, one or more counters 60 associated with each pixel 32, each configured to aggregate detection data 58 indicative of the primary radiation 20, 20a detected during a primary activity period 76, 76a to provide aggregate detection data 62, and a register 66 associated with each counter 60, each register 66 configured to collect the aggregate detection data 62 from the associated counter 60.

[0097] In some embodiments, each register 66 is configured to collect aggregated detection data 62 from an associated counter 60 in response to a collection signal 68. In this case, the at least one computer program may include program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device 26, causes the at least one data processing device 26 to instruct the at least one data processing device 26 to transmit the collection signal 68 to each register 66 during each primary inactivity period 78, 78a.

[0098] In some embodiments, each counter 60 is configured to be reset in response to a reset signal 64. In this case, the at least one computer program may include program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device 26, causes the at least one data processing device 26 to instruct the at least one data processing device 26 to send a reset signal 64 to each counter 60 during each primary inactivity period 78, 78a.

[0099] In some embodiments, each register 66 is configured to read the aggregate detection data 62 in response to a read signal 70. In this case, the at least one computer program may include program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device 26, causes the at least one data processing device 26 to instruct the at least one data processing device 26 to send the read signal 70 to each register 66 during at least a portion of the primary inactive period 78, 78a.

[0100] In some embodiments, the secondary radiation source 14, 14b is a linear accelerator.

[0101] In some embodiments, the secondary pulse duration 82, 82b of each secondary pulse 80, 80b is less than 100 μs.

[0102] In some embodiments, the primary active period length of each primary active period 76, 76a is at least 1 ms.

[0103] In some embodiments, the secondary radiation 24, 24b has an energy of at least 0.5 MeV.

[0104] In some embodiments, the at least one computer program includes program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device 26, causes the at least one data processing device 26 to control the primary radiation source 12, 12a to irradiate primary radiation 20, 20a onto the object 22 in a primary pulse 80a. The primary pulse 80a may be irradiated primarily during multiple primary activation periods 76, 76a.

[0105] In some embodiments, the primary detector is a direct conversion detector.

[0106] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it is understood that the dimensions of parts may vary as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto. [Item 1] 1. A method of manipulating radiation on an object (22), comprising: providing (S10) a primary radiation source (12, 12a), a secondary radiation source (14; 14b) and a primary detector (16; 16a); a step (S12) of irradiating the object (22) with primary radiation (20, 20a) by the primary radiation source (12, 12a); detecting (S14) the primary radiation (20, 20a) by the primary detector (16; 16a) during each of a plurality of primary activation periods (76; 76a), the primary radiation (20, 20a) having interacted with the object (22); and a step (S16) of irradiating the object (22) with secondary radiation (24; 24b) by the secondary radiation source (14; 14b) in secondary pulses (80; 80b) irradiated during a plurality of primary inactive periods (78; 78a), each primary inactive period (78; 78a) being interleaved with a primary active period (76; 76a); Equipped with wherein the secondary pulse (80; 80b) is not applied during the primary activation period (76; 76a); and wherein during each primary inactive period (78; 78a), the primary detector (16; 16a) is inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation during this primary inactive period (78; 78a). method. [Item 2] 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the primary detector (16; 16a) does not detect incident radiation (S18) during the primary inactive period (78; 78a) and / or does not collect detection data (58) indicative of incident radiation (S20) during the primary inactive period (78; 78a). [Item 3] 10. The method according to any of the preceding items, further comprising a step (S22) of collecting detection data (58) indicative of the primary radiation (20, 20a) detected by the primary detector (16; 16a) during the primary active period (76; 76a). [Item 4] 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the primary detector (16; 16a) comprises a plurality of pixels (32), one or more counters (60) associated with each pixel (32), each configured to aggregate the detection data (58) indicative of the primary radiation (20, 20a) detected during the primary active period (76; 76a) to provide aggregate detection data (62), and a register (66) associated with each counter (60), each register (66) configured to collect the aggregate detection data (62) from its associated counter (60). [Item 5] 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising a step (S24) of collecting, by each register (66), the aggregate detection data (62) from the associated counter (60) during each primary inactive period (78; 78a). [Item 6] 6. The method according to item 4 or 5, further comprising a step (S26) of resetting each counter (60) during each primary inactive period (78; 78a). [Item 7] 7. The method according to any one of items 4 to 6, further comprising a step (S28) of reading the aggregated detection data (62) from each register (66) during at least a portion of the primary inactive period (78; 78a). [Item 8] 10. The method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the secondary radiation source (14; 14b) is a linear accelerator. [Item 9] Item 10. The method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the secondary pulse time length (82, 82b) of each secondary pulse (80; 80b) is less than 100 μs. [Item 10] Item 10. The method of any of the preceding items, wherein the primary activity period duration of each primary activity period (76; 76a) is at least 1 ms. [Item 11] 2. The method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the secondary radiation (24; 24b) has an energy of at least 0.5 MeV. [Item 12] 10. The method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the irradiation of the primary radiation (20, 20a) onto the object (22) occurs primarily in primary pulses (80a) by the primary radiation source (12, 12a) during the plurality of primary active periods (76; 76a). [Item 13] 10. The method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the primary radiation (20, 20a) is detected by the primary detector (16; 16a) by direct conversion during each of the plurality of primary active periods (76; 76a). [Item 14] A radiation system (10a; 10b) for manipulating radiation on an object (22), comprising: a primary radiation source (12, 12a) configured to emit primary radiation (20, 20a); a secondary radiation source (14;14b) configured to emit secondary radiation (24;24b); a primary detector (16; 16a) configured to detect the primary radiation (20, 20a) during each of a plurality of primary activation periods (76; 76a), the primary radiation (20, 20a) having interacted with the object (22); A control system (18) including at least one data processing device (26) and at least one memory (28) having stored therein at least one computer program, the at least one computer program, when executed by the at least one data processing device (26), causing the at least one data processing device (26) to: controlling the primary radiation source (12, 12a) to irradiate the primary radiation (20, 20a) onto the object (22); controlling the secondary radiation source (14; 14b) to irradiate the object (22) with the secondary radiation (24; 24b) in secondary pulses (80; 80b) irradiated during a plurality of primary inactive periods (78; 78a), each primary inactive period (78; 78a) being interleaved with a primary active period (76; 76a); controlling said secondary radiation source (14; 14b) not to emit any secondary pulses (80; 80b) during said primary activation period (76; 76a); and controlling the primary detector (16; 16a) to adopt an inactive state during each primary inactive period (78; 78a), wherein said primary detector (16; 16a) is inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation during said primary inactive period (78; 78a); including program code, A radiation system (10a; 10b) comprising: [Item 15] The at least one computer program, when executed by the at least one data processing device (26), causes the at least one data processing device (26) to: controlling the primary detector (16; 16a) so as not to detect incident radiation during the primary inactive period (78; 78a); and / or controlling the primary detector (16; 16a) not to collect detection data (58) indicative of incident radiation during the primary inactive period (78; 78a); Item 15. A radiology system (10a; 10b) according to item 14, comprising program code. [Item 16] The at least one computer program, when executed by the at least one data processing device (26), causes the at least one data processing device (26) to: controlling the primary detector (16; 16a) to collect detection data (58) indicative of the primary radiation (20, 20a) detected during the primary active period (76; 76a); 16. A radiology system (10a; 10b) according to item 14 or 15, comprising a program code. [Item 17] Item 17. The radiation system (10a; 10b) of item 16, wherein the primary detector (16; 16a) comprises a plurality of pixels (32), one or more counters (60) associated with each pixel (32), each configured to aggregate the detection data (58) indicative of the primary radiation (20, 20a) detected during the primary active period (76; 76a) to provide aggregate detection data (62), and a register (66) associated with each counter (60), each register (66) configured to collect the aggregate detection data (62) from its associated counter (60). [Item 18] 18. The radiation system (10a; 10b) of item 17, wherein each register (66) is configured to collect the aggregated detection data (62) from the associated counter (60) in response to a collection signal (68), and wherein the at least one computer program includes program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device (26), causes the at least one data processing device (26) to send the collection signal (68) to each register (66) during each primary inactive period (78; 78a). [Item 19] 19. The radiation system (10a; 10b) according to item 17 or 18, wherein each counter (60) is configured to be reset in response to a reset signal (64), and wherein the at least one computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device (26), causes the at least one data processing device (26) to send the reset signal (64) to each counter (60) during each primary inactive period (78; 78a). [Item 20] 21. The radiation system (10a; 10b) according to any of items 17 to 20, wherein each register (66) is configured to read out the aggregated detection data (62) in response to a readout signal (70), and wherein the at least one computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device (26), causes the at least one data processing device (26) to send the readout signal (70) to each register (66) during at least a portion of the primary inactive period (78; 78a). [Item 21] 21. The radiation system (10a; 10b) according to any of items 14 to 20, wherein the secondary radiation source (14; 14b) is a linear accelerator. [Item 22] 22. The radiation system (10a; 10b) according to any of items 14 to 21, wherein the secondary pulse time length (82, 82b) of each secondary pulse (80; 80b) is less than 100 μs. [Item 23] 23. The radiation system (10a; 10b) according to any of items 14 to 22, wherein the primary active period time length of each primary active period (76; 76a) is at least 1 ms. [Item 24] 24. The radiation system (10a; 10b) according to any of items 14 to 23, wherein the secondary radiation (24; 24b) has an energy of at least 0.5 MeV. [Item 25] 25. The radiation system (10a; 10b) according to any of items 14 to 24, wherein the at least one computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device (26), causes the at least one data processing device (26) to control the primary radiation source (12, 12a) to irradiate the primary radiation (20, 20a) onto the object (22) mainly in primary pulses (80a) during the plurality of primary activation periods (76; 76a). [Item 26] 26. The radiation system (10a; 10b) according to any of items 14 to 25, wherein the primary detector (16; 16a) is a direct conversion detector.

Claims

1. 1. A method of manipulating radiation on an object, comprising: providing a primary radiation source, a secondary radiation source, and a primary detector; irradiating primary radiation onto the object by the primary radiation source; detecting, by the primary detector, the primary radiation during each of a plurality of primary activation periods, the primary radiation having interacted with the object; and irradiating the object with secondary radiation by the secondary radiation source in secondary pulses irradiated during a plurality of primary inactive periods, each primary inactive period being interleaved with a primary active period; Equipped with wherein no secondary pulse is applied during said primary activation period; and wherein during each primary inactive period, the primary detector is inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation during that primary inactive period. method.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the primary detector does not detect incident radiation during the primary inactive period and / or does not collect detection data indicative of incident radiation during the primary inactive period.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising collecting detection data indicative of the primary radiation detected by the primary detector during the primary active period.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the primary detector comprises a plurality of pixels, one or more counters associated with each pixel each configured to aggregate the detection data indicative of the primary radiation detected during the primary activity period to provide aggregate detection data, and a register associated with each counter, each register configured to collect the aggregate detection data from its associated counter.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising collecting, by each register, the aggregate detection data from the associated counter during each primary inactivity period.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising resetting each counter during each primary inactivity period.

7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising reading the aggregated detection data from each register during at least a portion of the primary inactive period.

8. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary radiation source is a linear accelerator.

9. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary pulse duration of each secondary pulse is less than 100 μs.

10. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each primary active period has a primary active period duration of at least 1 ms.

11. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary radiation has an energy of at least 0.5 MeV.

12. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the irradiating of the primary radiation onto the object occurs primarily in primary pulses by the primary radiation source during the plurality of primary active periods.

13. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the primary radiation is detected by the primary detector by direct conversion during each of the plurality of primary active periods.

14. 1. A radiation system for manipulating radiation on an object, comprising: a primary radiation source configured to emit primary radiation; a secondary radiation source configured to emit secondary radiation; a primary detector configured to detect the primary radiation during each of a plurality of primary activation periods, the primary radiation having interacted with the object; A control system including at least one data processing device and at least one memory having stored therein at least one computer program, the at least one computer program, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causing the at least one data processing device to: controlling the primary radiation source to project the primary radiation onto the object; controlling the secondary radiation source to irradiate the secondary radiation onto the object in secondary pulses irradiated during a plurality of primary inactive periods, each primary inactive period being interleaved with a primary active period; controlling the secondary radiation source so as not to emit any secondary pulses during the primary activation period; and controlling the primary detector to adopt an inactive state during each primary inactive period, wherein said primary detector is inactive with respect to capturing incident radiation during said primary inactive period; including program code, A radiation system comprising:

15. The at least one computer program, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to: controlling the primary detector so as not to detect incident radiation during the primary inactive period; and / or controlling the primary detector not to collect detection data indicative of incident radiation during the primary inactive period; 15. The radiation system of claim 14, including program code.

16. The at least one computer program, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to: controlling the primary detector to collect detection data indicative of the primary radiation detected during the primary active period; 16. A radiation system according to claim 14 or 15, comprising program code.

17. 17. The radiation system of claim 16, wherein the primary detector comprises a plurality of pixels, one or more counters associated with each pixel each configured to aggregate the detection data indicative of the primary radiation detected during the primary activity period to provide aggregate detection data, and a register associated with each counter, each register configured to collect the aggregate detection data from its associated counter.

18. 20. The radiation system of claim 17, wherein each register is configured to collect the aggregate detection data from the associated counter in response to a collection signal, and wherein the at least one computer program comprises program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to send the collection signal to each register during each primary inactivity period.

19. 20. The radiation system of claim 17, wherein each counter is configured to be reset in response to a reset signal, and wherein said at least one computer program comprises program code that, when executed by said at least one data processing device, causes said at least one data processing device to instruct said at least one data processing device to send said reset signal to each counter during each primary inactivity period.

20. 20. The radiation system of claim 17, wherein each register is configured to read out the aggregate detection data in response to a readout signal, and wherein the at least one computer program comprises program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to send the readout signal to each register during at least a portion of the primary inactive period.

21. 16. A radiation system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the secondary radiation source is a linear accelerator.

22. 16. A radiation system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein each secondary pulse has a secondary pulse time length of less than 100 [mu]s.

23. 16. A radiation system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein each primary active period has a primary active period duration of at least 1 ms.

24. 16. A radiation system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the secondary radiation has an energy of at least 0.5 MeV.

25. 16. The radiation system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said at least one computer program comprises program code which, when executed by said at least one data processing device, causes said at least one data processing device to control said primary radiation source to irradiate said primary radiation onto said object mainly in primary pulses during said plurality of primary active periods.

26. 16. A radiation system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the primary detector is a direct conversion detector.

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