General Electric Company

Ge Precision Healthcare LLC

Adam Budde

Mark Adamak

Gopal Biligeri Avinash

Bruno Kristiaan Bernard De Man

Sergio Lemaitre

Antonio Caiafa

Jed Douglas Pack

Jiahua Fan

Uwe Wiedmann

Mark Alan Frontera

Michael John Utschig

Kai Zeng

Grant Morey Stevens

Patrick Michael Virtue

Rinki Singh

A collimator is provided for reducing aliasing artifacts in images generated in an X-ray imaging system, such as a computed tomography (CT) imaging system. In one embodiment, a collimator comprises a plurality of high attenuating regions interleaved with a plurality of low attenuating regions, with each high attenuating region having a non-uniform transition profile and configured to be aligned with a respective inactive region of a respective channel of an X-ray detector of an X-ray imaging system. In another embodiment, a CT imaging system, comprising an X-ray source configured to project X-rays towards a patient; an X-ray detector configured to receive attenuated X-rays passing through the patient; and a collimator positioned between the patient and the X-ray detector and configured to non-uniformly attenuate the X-rays, the collimator having bell shaped plates, each of the plates separated by a gap.

Collimator structure for an imaging system

Methods and systems are provided for reducing aliasing artifacts in images generated in an imaging system, such as a computed tomography (CT) imaging systems. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a filtered signal generated by passing a primary signal through a collimator having a non-rectangular transition profile, the collimator positioned between an object and a detector of an imaging system, and generating an image based on the filtered signal received at the detector, the primary signal including radiation from a source of the imaging system attenuated by the object placed between the source and the detector. In this way, by filtering the signals at the collimator before reaching the detector, aliasing artifacts in the images may be reduced.

Techniques for imaging protocol translation are described herein. The techniques may include data indicating a protocol for image capture of a first imaging device. The protocol includes parameters. The techniques may include translating the protocol of the first imaging device for use at a second imaging device by determining adjustments to be made to one or more of the parameters.

Imaging protocol translation

An X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube includes an electron beam source including a cathode configured to emit an electron beam. The X-ray tube also includes an anode assembly including an anode configured to receive the electron beam and to emit X-rays when impacted by the electron beam. The X-ray tube further includes a gridding electrode disposed about a path of the electron beam between the electron beam source and the anode assembly. The gridding electrode, when powered at a specific level, is configured to grid the electron beam in synchronization with planned transitions during a dynamic focal spot mode.

X-ray tube with gridding electrode

Approaches for performing computed tomographic image reconstruction are described. In one embodiment, a full or almost full scan of scan data is acquired and a plurality of image reconstructions are performed based on the scan data, wherein the plurality of image reconstructions result in a corresponding plurality of image volumes wherein the image reconstructions use different view weighting functions. Further, the present approaches provide for combining the plurality of image volumes together to produce a final image volume.

Computed tomography image reconstruction

A method is provided for segmenting three-dimensional (3D) image volumes. The method includes obtaining a 3D volume data set corresponding to an imaged volume, rendering at least a portion of the 3D volume data set based on 3D rendering settings, and creating a two-dimensional (2D) segmentation of the rendered 3D volume data set. The method further includes segmenting the 3D volume data set using the 2D segmentation and the 3D rendering settings to define a 3D region of interest within the 3D volume data set.

Growing community of inventors

Waukesha, WI, United States of America

Adam Budde