Methods and apparatus for obtaining low-dose imaging

A method of imaging an object of interest positioned in an exposure area, the method comprising:

• obtaining projection data by providing radiation to the exposure area and detecting at least some of the radiation exiting the object to form the projection data;
• arranging at least one density fiducial in the exposure area, prior to obtaining projection data, such that at least some of the radiation provided encounters the at least one density fiducial;
• obtaining first data based on information provided by the at least one density fiducial;
• modifying the projection data based, at least in part, on the first data;
• and
• reconstructing the modified projection data to form at least one image,
• wherein arranging the at least one fiducial includes arranging at least one proximal density fiducial, between the object and a radiation source, that is substantially opaque to the radiation, and wherein obtaining the first data includes obtaining an estimate of scattered radiation from a radiation intensity detected in a shadow of the at least one proximal density fiducial.

At least one computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, perform a method of imaging an object of interest positioned in an exposure area, the method comprising:

• obtaining projection data by providing radiation to the exposure area and detecting at least some of the radiation exiting the object to form the projection data;
• arranging at least one density fiducial in the exposure area, prior to obtaining projection data, such that at least some of the radiation provided encounters the at least one density fiducial;
• obtaining first data based on information provided by the at least one density fiducial;
• modifying the projection data based, at least in part, on the first data;
• and
• reconstructing the modified projection data to form at least one image,
• wherein arranging the at least one fiducial includes arranging at least one proximal density fiducial between a radiation source and the object and at least one distal density fiducial between the object and the detector, wherein the at least one proximal density fiducial and the at least one distal density fiducial are partially transmissive.

At least one computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, perform a method of imaging an object of interest positioned in an exposure area, the method comprising:

• obtaining projection data by providing radiation to the exposure area and detecting at least some of the radiation exiting the object to form the projection data;
• arranging at least one density fiducial in the exposure area, prior to obtaining projection data, such that at least some of the radiation provided encounters the at least one density fiducial;
• obtaining first data based on information provided by the at least one density fiducial;
• modifying the projection data based, at least in part, on the first data;
• and
• reconstructing the modified projection data to form at least one image,
• wherein arranging the at least one fiducial includes arranging at least one proximal density fiducial, between the object and a radiation source, that is substantially opaque to the radiation, and wherein obtaining the first data includes obtaining an estimate of scattered radiation from a radiation intensity detected in a shadow of the at least one proximal density fiducial.

A system for imaging an object of interest positioned in an exposure area, the method comprising:

• a radiation source for providing radiation to the exposure area.,
• at least one detector for detecting at least some of the radiation exiting the object to form projection data;
• at least one density fiducial positioned in the exposure area such that at least some of the radiation provided encounters the at least one density fiducial;
• at least one computer to obtain first data based on information provided by the at least one density fiducial, modify the projection data based, at least in part, on the first data, and reconstruct the modified projection data to form at least one image,
• wherein the at least one fiducial includes at least one proximal density fiducial between the radiation source and the object and at least one distal density fiducial between the object and the detector, wherein the at least one proximal density fiducial and the at least one distal density fiducial are partially transmissive.

A system for imaging an object of interest positioned in an exposure area, the method comprising:

• a radiation source for providing radiation to the exposure area;
• at least one detector for detecting at least some of the radiation exiting the object to form projection data;
• at least one density fiducial positioned in the exposure area such that at least some of the radiation provided encounters the at least one density fiducial;
• at least one computer to obtain first data based on information provided by the at least one density fiducial, modify the projection data based, at least in part, on the first data, and reconstruct the modified projection data to form at least one image,
• wherein the at least one fiducial includes at least one proximal density fiducial, between the object and the radiation source, that is substantially opaque to the radiation, and wherein obtaining the first data includes obtaining an estimate of scattered radiation from a radiation intensity detected in a shadow of the at least one proximal density fiducial.