Method for X-Ray Imaging Using Scattered Radiation

• US 20120027176A1
• Filed: 11/06/2009
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Heid, Oliver
• Application Number:
  US13/144,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20120027176A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/87
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/419 computed tomograph
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/046 using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 2207/005 Methods and devices obtaining contrast from non-absorbing interaction of the radiation with matter, e.g. phase contrast

Abstract

An object (8) is x-rayed using one or more x-ray pulses in successive timed intervals. On volume elements of the object (8), in a direction different from the x-ray direction, the scattered x-ray radiation is recorded in a time and spatially resolved manner by way of an x-ray detector (9) using a two-dimensional arrangement of detector elements. By way of the known geometry and propagation of the wave front of the x-ray pulses, an image data record of a three-dimensional scatter distribution of the object (8) is reconstructed from the spatially and time-resolved measurement data. The method enables the creation of an image data record of the three-dimensional scattered radiation distribution using only one x-ray pulse and can thus be carried out very easily.

Claims

1. A method for X-ray imaging, in which an object is X-rayed by an X-ray beam bundle emanating from an X-ray source, the method comprising:

using one or more successive X-ray pulses, spaced apart in time, for the X-raying,

recording X-ray radiation, scattered at volume elements of the object, in a direction deviating from an X-raying direction by an X-ray detector with a two-dimensional arrangement of detector elements with a temporal and spatial resolution, and

reconstructing an image data record of a three-dimensional scatter distribution of the object via a known geometry and a known temporal propagation of wave fronts of the X-ray pulses from spatially and temporally resolved measurement data of the X-ray detector.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray pulses have a pulse duration of ≦

30 ps.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein use is made of an X-ray tube with an RF linear accelerator for accelerating electrons from the X-ray tube in order to generate the X-ray pulses.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein use is made of a plurality of successive X-ray pulses, spaced apart in time, and the measurement data therefrom is averaged in each case in order to obtain an image data record with a reduced signal-to-noise ratio.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein use is made of a plurality of successive X-ray pulses, spaced apart in time, in order to obtain a plurality of image data records for visualizing temporal changes within the object.

6. A device for X-ray imaging with

an X-ray source designed for emitting X-ray pulses in an X-raying direction,

an examination region formed in the X-raying direction of the X-ray source for holding an object to be X-rayed, and

a directionally selective, spatially and temporally resolving X-ray detector with a two-dimensional arrangement of detector elements, which X-ray detector is arranged and formed laterally on the examination region such that it can detect X-ray radiation, scatted at volume elements of the object, in a direction deviating from the X-raying direction in a temporally and spatially resolved fashion.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the X-ray detector is connected to an evaluation apparatus, which reconstructs an image data record of a three-dimensional scatter distribution of the object via known geometry and known temporal propagation of wave fronts of the X-ray pulses from spatially and temporally resolved measurement data of the X-ray detector.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the X-ray source comprises an RF linear accelerator for accelerating electrons in order to generate the X-ray pulses.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the X-ray detector is provided with a collimator for achieving the directional selectivity.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the X-ray source has an electron source, a Wehnelt cylinder, an RF accelerator and an X-ray target.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein electrons emitted by the electron source are accelerated packet-by-packet by the radiofrequency of the RF accelerator, wherein electron beam packets are incident on the X-ray target and generate the X-ray pulses there.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the pulses propagate in the form of the X-ray beam spherical shells, which X-ray beam spherical shells penetrate an object to be examined.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the X-ray beam spherical shells have a thickness of approximately 3 mm and a mutual spacing of approximately 30 cm.

14. A system for X-ray imaging, in which an object is X-rayed by an X-ray beam bundle emanating from an X-ray source, comprising:

means for providing one or more successive X-ray pulses, spaced apart in time,

means for recording X-ray radiation, scattered at volume elements of the object, in a direction deviating from an X-raying direction by an X-ray detector with a two-dimensional arrangement of detector elements with a temporal and spatial resolution, and

means for reconstructing an image data record of a three-dimensional scatter distribution of the object via a known geometry and a known temporal propagation of wave fronts of the X-ray pulses from spatially and temporally resolved measurement data of the X-ray detector.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the X-ray pulses have a pulse duration of ≦

30 ps.

16. The system according to claim 14, comprising an X-ray tube with an RF linear accelerator for accelerating electrons from the X-ray tube in order to generate the X-ray pulses.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of successive X-ray pulses, spaced apart in time, is provided and the measurement data therefrom is averaged in each case in order to obtain an image data record with a reduced signal-to-noise ratio.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of successive X-ray pulses, spaced apart in time, is provided in order to obtain a plurality of image data records for visualizing temporal changes within the object.