Method for receiving energy -selective image data, x-ray detector and x-ray system
AssigneeSiemens Healthcare GmbH
InventorMartin Spahn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for receiving energy selective image data relating to an examination object using a counting, digital X-ray detector, together with a counting, digital X-ray detector and an X-ray system are provided. The X-ray detector includes an X-ray converter for direct or indirect conversion of X-rays into an electrical signal, and a matrix including a plurality of counting pixel elements. For each pixel element of the plurality of counting pixel elements, at least one modifiable threshold value, above which an incoming signal is counted using a memory unit, is applicable.
Claims20
A method for receiving energy selective image data relating to an examination object by a counting, digital X-ray detector of an X-ray system, wherein the counting, digital X-ray detector comprises an X-ray converter for direct or indirect conversion of X-rays into an electrical signal and a matrix comprising a plurality of pixel elements, wherein for each pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements, at least one threshold value, above which an incoming signal is counted in each case by a memory unit, is applicable, the method comprising:
- applying X-rays during at least one time interval that includes a plurality of sub-time intervals;
- setting a first threshold value of the at least one threshold value in the counting, digital X-ray detector for a first sub-time interval of the plurality of sub-time intervals;
- converting X-ray quanta of the applied X-rays into first count signals while the first threshold value is applied, and storing the first count signals in the counting, digital X-ray detector;
- setting a second threshold value of the at least one threshold value in the counting, digital X-ray detector for each of at least one second sub-time interval of the plurality of sub-time intervals;
- converting X-ray quanta of the applied X-rays into second count signals while the second threshold value is applied and storing the second count signals in the counting, digital X-ray detector;
- reading the energy selective image data from the counting, digital X-ray detector;
- and
- displaying or storing the energy selective image data.
A counting, digital X-ray detector of an X-ray system for receiving energy selective image data relating to an examination object, the counting, digital X-ray detector comprising:
- an X-ray converter configured for direct or indirect conversion of X-rays into an electrical signal;
- and
- a matrix comprising a plurality of counting pixel elements,
- wherein for each counting pixel element of the plurality of counting pixel elements, at least one modifiable threshold value, above which an incoming signal is counted by a memory unit, is applicable,
- wherein the counting, digital X-ray detector is configured to set a first threshold value for a first sub-time interval and set a second threshold value for each of at least one second sub-time interval,
- wherein the X-ray converter is configured to convert X-ray quanta into first count signals while the first threshold value is applied, the first count signals being stored in the counting, digital X-ray detector, and is configured to convert the X-ray quanta into second count signals while the second threshold value is applied, the second count signals being stored in the counting, digital X-ray detector, and
- wherein the counting, digital X-ray detector is further configured to read energy selective image data related to the first count signals and the second count signals.
An X-ray system for X-ray imaging, the X-ray system comprising:
- an X-ray tube configured to emit X-rays that irradiate an examination object during at least one time interval that includes a plurality of sub-time intervals,
- a counting, digital X-ray detector comprising:
- an X-ray converter for direct or indirect conversion of X-rays into an electrical signal;
- and
- a matrix comprising a plurality of counting pixel elements, wherein for each pixel element of the plurality of counting pixel elements, at least one modifiable threshold value, above which each incoming signal is counted by a memory unit, is applicable;
- a system controller configured to control the X-ray system;
- a computer configured to determine lengths of the plurality of sub-time intervals;
- and
- an imaging system configured to process and display image data,
- wherein the counting, digital X-ray detector is configured to set a first threshold value for a first sub-time interval of the plurality of sub-time intervals and set a second threshold value for each of at least one second sub-time interval of the plurality of sub-time intervals,
- wherein the X-ray converter is configured to convert X-ray quanta into first count signals while the first threshold value is applied, the first count signals being stored in the counting, digital X-ray detector, and is configured to convert the X-ray quanta into second count signals while the second threshold value is applied, the second count signals being stored in the counting, digital X-ray detector, and
- wherein the counting, digital X-ray detector is further configured to read energy selective image data related to the first count signals and the second count signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.