4460 results about "Soft x ray" patented technology

Systems and methods for obtaining two-dimensional images of an object, such as a patient, in multiple projection planes. In one aspect, the invention advantageously permits quasi-simultaneous image acquisition from multiple projection planes using a single radiation source.

An imaging apparatus comprises a gantry having a central opening for positioning an object to be imaged, a source of radiation that is rotatable around the interior of the gantry ring and which is adapted to project radiation onto said object from a plurality of different projection angles; and a detector system adapted to detect the radiation at each projection angle to acquire object images from multiple projection planes in a quasi-simultaneous manner. The gantry can be a substantially “O-shaped” ring, with the source rotatable 360 degrees around the interior of the ring. The source can be an x-ray source, and the imaging apparatus can be used for medical x-ray imaging. The detector array can be a two-dimensional detector, preferably a digital detector.

The invention relates to a method of position detection in X-ray imaging, and to a device for carrying out such a method by means of an X-ray apparatus, a detector device, including at least two detector elements, and an indicator device. The exact association of the X-ray image with the object imaged is very important notably for intraoperative imaging. Exact knowledge of the position and orientation of the components of the X-ray apparatus associated with the imaging system is required for this purpose. However, it is often problematic that the lines of sight of the position measuring system are obscured by attending staff or other apparatus. Therefore, in the device according to the invention the detector device is mounted on the X-ray apparatus and the indicator device is provided so as to be stationary on the object to be examined or stationary relative to the object to be examined. Also described is a method of position detection in X-ray imaging by means of such a device.

An X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes a first X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays with which a subject to be examined is irradiated, a first X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays transmitted through the subject, a second X-ray tube which generates X-rays with which a treatment target of the subject is irradiated, a rotating mechanism which rotates the first X-ray tube, the first X-ray detector, and the second X-ray tube around the subject, a reconstructing unit configured to reconstruct an image on the basis of data detected by the first X-ray detector, and a support mechanism which supports the second X-ray tube. The central axis of X-rays from the second X-ray tube tilts with respect to a body axis of the subject. This makes it possible to reduce the dose on a portion other than a treatment target.

Disclosed is a uniquely identifiable identification system incorporated into an X-ray testing apparatus or into this system, so that each operator (6) can log onto the operating system only with his or her own individual identification (4, 4.1). The identification (4, 4.1) is read and optionally rewritten by a counterpart device (3, 3.1) of the identification system. Upon leaving the operating system, the operator (6) is automatically logged off by way of removing the identification device (4, 4.1), or by way of exiting from a defined local area (N) around the X-ray testing apparatus, and the operating system is then ready for access by another operator (6).

A method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging.

An apparatus for use in a radiation procedure includes a radiation filter having a first portion and a second portion, the first and the second portions forming a layer for filtering radiation impinging thereon, wherein the first portion is made from a first material having a first x-ray filtering characteristic, and the second portion is made from a second material having a second x-ray filtering characteristic. An apparatus for use in a radiation procedure includes a first target material, a second target material, and an accelerator for accelerating particles towards the first target material and the second target material to generate x-rays at a first energy level and a second energy level, respectively.

The invention comprises an X-ray system that is orientated to provide X-ray images of a patient in the same orientation as viewed by a proton therapy beam, is synchronized with patient respiration, is operable on a patient positioned for proton therapy, and does not interfere with a proton beam treatment path. Preferably, the synchronized system is used in conjunction with a negative ion beam source, synchrotron, and/or targeting method apparatus to provide an X-ray timed with patient respiration and performed immediately prior to and/or concurrently with particle beam therapy irradiation to ensure targeted and controlled delivery of energy relative to a patient position resulting in efficient, precise, and/or accurate noninvasive, in-vivo treatment of a solid cancerous tumor with minimization of damage to surrounding healthy tissue in a patient using the proton beam position verification system.

A structure to generate x-rays has a plurality of stationary and individually electrically addressable field emissive electron sources with a substrate composed of a field emissive material, such as carbon nanotubes. Electrically switching the field emissive electron sources at a predetermined frequency field emits electrons in a programmable sequence toward an incidence point on a target. The generated x-rays correspond in frequency and in position to that of the field emissive electron source. The large-area target and array or matrix of emitters can image objects from different positions and/or angles without moving the object or the structure and can produce a three dimensional image. The x-ray system is suitable for a variety of applications including industrial inspection/quality control, analytical instrumentation, security systems such as airport security inspection systems, and medical imaging, such as computed tomography.

The system uses an X-ray imaging system having an elongated lifetime. Further, the system uses an X-ray beam that lies in substantially the same path as a charged particle beam path of a particle beam cancer therapy system. The system creates an electron beam that strikes an X-ray generation source located proximate to the charged particle beam path. By generating the X-rays near the charged particle beam path, an X-ray path running collinear, in parallel with, and/or substantially in contact with the charged particle beam path is created. The system then collects X-ray images of localized body tissue region about a cancerous tumor. Since, the X-ray path is essentially the charged particle beam path, the generated image is usable for precisely target the tumor with a charged particle beam.

A marking tape for transferring information written thereon to a film when the film is exposed to x-rays. The tape is a laminate of an upper film, a radiopaque emulsion, and a lower film. The top surface of the upper film is partially coated with a writable ink, and the ink coating positioned directly over the radiopaque emulsion. Pressure exerted by the user while writing on the ink surface causes the underlying emulsion to part. When the marking tape is affixed to a film cassette, x-rays penetrate the marking tape in those areas where the emulsion has been parted, the underlying film is exposed, and the information entered on the marking tape is thereby transferred to the film. The marking tape can be made in different sizes and radiopacities that can be distinguished by color-coding the writable surface.

The present invention relates to radiographic imaging apparatus for taking X-ray images of an object. In various two-panel radiographic imaging apparatus configurations, a front panel and back panel have substrates, arrays of signal sensing elements and readout devices, and passivation layers. The front and back panels have scintillating phosphor layers responsive to X-rays passing through an object produce light which illuminates the signal sensing elements to provide signals representing X-ray images. The X-ray apparatus has means for combining the signals of the X-ray images to produce a composite X-ray image. Furthermore, the composition and thickness of the scintillating phosphor layers are selected, relative to each other, to improve the diagnostic efficacy of the composite X-ray image. Alternatively, a radiographic imaging apparatus has a single panel having arrays of signal sensing elements and readout devices and scintillating phosphor layers that are disposed on both sides of a single substrate. The present invention further relates to various embodiments of indirect dual-screen DR flat-panel imager apparatus that provide single-exposure dual energy imaging.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy systems and methods are provided. One system includes a source of x-ray radiation and an excitation optic disposed between the x-ray radiation source and the sample for collecting x-ray radiation from the source and focusing the x-ray radiation to a focal point on the sample to incite at least one analyte in the sample to fluoresce. The system further includes an x-ray fluorescence detector and a collection optic comprising a doubly curved diffracting optic disposed between the sample and the x-ray fluorescence detector for collecting x-ray fluorescence from the focal point on the sample and focusing the fluorescent x-rays towards the x-ray fluorescence detector.