Method for generating image data relating to a virtually prescribable x-ray tube voltage from first and second ct image data

Abstract

A method for generating image data relating to a virtually prescribable X-ray tube voltage Ufrom first and second dual energy CT image data is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing the first and second CT image data; prescribing the virtual X-ray tube voltage Uwith U≠Uand U≠U, on the basis of the first and second CT image data for two prescribable base materials A, B; determining in each case a spatial density distribution ρ(x), ρ(x), assigned to the base materials A, B, in the reconstructed object volume, ρ(x)=ρ(x)+ρ(x) holds true for a density ρ(x) of a voxel x in the reconstructed object volume; providing an effective mass attenuation coefficient <α>for the base material A, and an effective mass attenuation coefficient <α>for the base material B, the effective mass attenuation coefficients <α>and <α>respectively being valid for an X-ray spectrum S(E, U) assigned to the virtual X-ray tube voltage U; and determining the image data as a third distribution of linear attenuation coefficients μ(x) in the reconstructed object volume on the basis of the following relationship: μ(x)=<α>·ρ(x)+<α>·ρ(x).