基于旋转准直器的锥形束CT散射矫正方法

针对锥形束CT（CBCT）图像质量受散射影响比较严重的情况,提出一种基于旋转准直器的CBCT散射矫正方法。该方法在射线源和模体之间放置一个圆形的旋转准直器,并通过准直器的旋转使透过准直器的射线不断沿轴向来回扫描,以获取整个容积图像的投影图像信息,然后利用投影图像的遮挡区域估计整幅图像的散射信息并将其从投影图像中去除,最后利用改进FDK算法重建图像。结果表明,与CBCT图像相比,散射矫正后的重建图像CBCT值的均方根误差从16.00%下降为1.18%,杯状伪影从14.005%下降为0.660%,峰值信噪比从16.959 4提高到31.450 0。CBCT图像质量得到明显提高。     

基于感兴趣区约束的并行磁共振成像重建算法

目的：并行磁共振成像利用敏感度编码降低成像所需的梯度编码步数，从而缩短数据扫描时间，本文旨在提出一种磁共振并行成像重建新算法，提高加速因子较大时的图像重建质量。材料与方法：获得精确的空间敏感度分布是提高其图像重建质量的关键之一。但是由于可用于估计的数据较少，敏感度分布中总是存在一定的噪声与伪影干扰，根据理想的敏感度分布应该在成像区域外取值为零这一特点，本文提出带感兴趣区约束的并行成像算法，首先基于区域生长和形态学方法提取出成像物体的外部轮廓构造感兴趣区，然后将该区域外的敏感度置零后引人并行重建算法，以避免成像区域外的伪影与噪声对重建的影响。结果：通过8通道线圈并行采集的体模数据重建实验表明，在加速因子取4时，本文算法可以更有效地抑制重建图像中的噪声及伪影，实现高质量的图像重建。结论：通过在并行成像算法中引人带感兴趣区的约束。可使加速因子较大时并行磁共振成像的图像重建质量获得一定的提升。     

基于K空间的MR截断伪影去除算法

目的根据MR截断伪影产生的原理,设计了一种基于K空间的截断伪影去除算法。方法对伪影图像进行处理后提取K空间高频数据,将高频数据与原伪影图像的K空间融合得出最终完整的K空间,再经过重建达到去除伪影的目的。结果在模拟数据试验和临床图片实验中,MR截断伪影都得到改善。结论本文提出的基于K空间的算法对截断伪影有一定的去除效果,但图像域效果比较微弱,算法有待改进。     

剂量率和准直器角度对二维电离室矩阵调强验证Gamma通过率的影响

目的：研究剂量率和准直器角度对二维电离室矩阵调强验证Gamma通过率的影响。方法：使用PTw二维电离室矩阵对2组36例测试病例进行验证。两组病例分别对应不同剂量率组和不同准直器角度组,比较不同的剂量率（100cGy／min-600Gy／min的整百剂量率）和准直器角度对3％、3mm标准Gamma分析的影响。结果：本研究中6档剂量率两两配对共计15对,配对t检验结果中,除了200和500这一对t=-3．68,P〈0．05,有统计学差异,其余14对配对t检验结果均为P〉0．05,无统计学差异;不同的准直器角度Gamma通过率配对t检验结果t=-15．582,P〈0．05,有统计学差异。结论：不同的剂量率对二维电离室矩阵调强验证Gamma通过率无明显影响,不同的准直器角度对二维电离室矩阵调强验证Gamma通过率有明显的影响．制订治疗计划时适当的调整准直器角度,使不同射野的准直器角度互不相同能够明显提高调强验证的通过率。     

MR图像Ghost伪影的校正

原始K空间奇偶回波单独重建图像数据时，根据二维多项式拟合参考扫描各点相位漂移估计值对图像进行相位校证，可减轻伪影的影响。但在噪声较严重的情况下，校正后的图像仍含有较严重的残余伪影。按相位编码方向对图像数据采用基于最小二乘法多项式拟合的方法可减轻噪声对图像的干扰，再利用二维抑制Ghost伪影算法能更有效地消除EPI成像过程中由于涡流引起的伪影。该算法的缺点是会引起图像信息强度的变化及造成图像高频信息的衰减。但由于MRI图像主要集中为低频信息，且Ghost伪影信息强度不超过图像信息最大强度20％时，该方法对图像信息的损失不会影响对病灶的识别。     

定量磁化率重建方法探讨及其改进方法

为了评估定量磁化率成像(QSM)中常用背景场去除方法的优缺点,并分析磁化率反演过程中空间阈值截断法(TKD)产生严重伪影的原因,本文探讨了多种背景场去除方法,并提出了抑制磁化率反演伪影的改进方法。首先,本文利用梯度回波序列扫描磁共振相位图像,分别根据复杂调和伪影去除法(SHARP)、正则化复杂调和伪影去除法(RESHARP)以及拉普拉斯边界值法(LBV)的原理去除背景场,并对不同方法重建的图像质量和重建速度进行对比分析;其次,本文分析TKD方法造成数据的多次截断和不连续从而导致重建伪影的原因,通过增大阈值截断范围、提高数据连续性的方式,提出了改进的TKD方法;最后,根据改进方法完成磁化率反演并与原始TKD方法的反演结果进行对比和分析。结果表明,SHARP和RESHARP方法的重建速度快,但SHARP重建伪影严重且重建精度不高,而RESHARP的实现过程比较复杂;LBV方法重建速度缓慢,但重建图像的细节突出、重建精度很高。此外,在磁化率反演过程中,原始TKD方法重建图像的伪影严重,但改进的方法获得了良好的伪影抑制图像,并得到了伪影区域良好的磁化率反演结果。     

基于投影矩阵广义逆的CT重建迭代算法

目的在CT检查时,有限角度投影和稀疏矩阵投影能够减少X射线的剂量,然而这会导致投影数据不足,给图像重建带来一定的困难。为了克服这一难题得到较好的重建图像,本文提出一种基于计算投影矩阵广义逆的CT迭代重建算法。方法该算法在计算过程中,将重建图像表示为投影矩阵以及其广义逆的乘积。首先使用一阶迭代计算广义逆矩阵,但是由于投影矩阵和其广义逆矩阵都比较大,在迭代过程中以投影和滤波反投影代替。然后通过不同的算法分别对平行束投影、有限角度投影、稀疏矩阵投影的数据进行重建,并对重建结果的均方差、通用图像质量指标以及图像互信息进行比较。结果本文提出的方法重建出图像的均方差、通用图像质量指标和图像互信息更优,而且重建时间较短。结论该方法能够在没有未知图像先验结构信息和伪影猜想的情况下有效地提高重建图像的质量,而且该算法不需要计算投影过程,重建过程简单易行。     

结合各向异性扩散滤波Thin Plate先验正电子发射断层图像重建的算法

背景：在正电子发射断层成像中,MAP重建方法通过引入先验分布约束,可以明显提高重建图像的质量,但不合适的先验分布项可能会造成重建图像过度平滑或出现阶梯状边缘伪影。 目的：针对基于传统局部先验信息的MAP方法易于导致重建图像过平滑或产生阶梯状边缘伪影的问题,提出了一种结合各向异性扩散滤波的、基于Thin Plate先验的改进MAP重建算法。 方法：重建算法由两步组成：基于双向扩散系数的PDE各向异性扩散滤波和基于Thin Plate先验的MAP估计。重建图像通过这两步交替迭代得到。文中采用归一化均方根误差和信噪比定量评价重建图像质量。 结果与结论：结合了基于双向扩散系数的PDE各向异性扩散滤波,并将Thin Plate二次二阶先验模型引入到MAP重建算法中,所获得的重建结果图像在抑制噪声、边缘保持方面取得了良好的效果,SNR、RMSE以及视觉评价等方面均有较大程度的改善。     

基于一种改进的相位校正算法消除MRI运动伪影

背景：近年来,MRI由于具有高的空间分辨率和软组织对比度,在临床上的运用越来越广泛。但是其成像时间较长,所以容易受到患者身体运动的影响,产生运动伪影。 目的：去除MRI图像成像时产生的伪影,改善图像质量。 方法：使用改进的相位矫正算法,并结合水平集算法去除图像伪影。去除伪影后使用模糊增强改善处理后图像的质量。 结果与结论：实验证明使用改进的相位矫正算法得到的图像比使用原始的相位矫正算法得到的图像效果更加理想。     

CT图像锥形伪影的实验研究

目的：研究螺旋CT插值算法引起的图像伪影的规律。方法：采用自制的有机玻璃锥形体模在Siemens Plus4和GE Lightspeed16扫描仪上设置不同参数进行扫描。基于MATLAB7．0编程对图像进行分析，计算伪影的面积占原像面积的比重。结果：伪影的面积比随着螺距的增大而增大，随着体模半锥角的正切值和重建位置的半径的增大分别呈现增大和减小的趋势。临床照片中，锥形伪影突出表现在边界明显的部位。结论：锥形伪影与螺距和被扫描物属性存在确定关系。     

The cardiofocal collimator: a variable-focus collimator for cardiac SPECT

Investigators in nuclear medicine have long been in search of a practical method to increase the number of detected events in cardiac SPECT. A clinically practical method requires a simple data acquisition protocol, clinically acceptable reconstruction times, artifact levels near or below visual threshold, and the use of currently available cameras and computers. Towards this end, we have developed the Cardiofocal collimator, a variable-focus collimator for cardiac SPECT that increases the number of detected events from the heart by more than a factor of two compared to that of a parallel-hole collimator with equivalent resolution. In both the transverse and axial dimensions, the focusing is strongest at the centre of the collimator, and gradually relaxes to nearly parallel-hole collimation at the edge of the collimator. The variable-focus concept provides an increase in the number of counts from organs imaged near the centre of the collimator, where the heart will spend most of the time during a cardiac SPECT study, while adequately sampling enough of the background activity distribution to prevent truncation artifacts in the reconstructed images. Images are reconstructed in clinically acceptable times using a filtered backprojection reconstruction algorithm. The algorithm supports both full-scan (360 degrees) and short-scan (180 degrees plus the fan angle) acquisitions. The results of simulations and phantom studies are included to demonstrate the performance of the Cardiofocal collimator.     

3D RBI-EM reconstruction with spherically-symmetric basis function for SPECT rotating slat collimator

A single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) rotating slat collimator with strip detector acquires distance-weighted plane integral data, along with the attenuation factor and distance-dependent detector response. In order to image a 3D object, the slat collimator device has first to spin around its axis and then rotate around the object to produce 3D projection measurements. Compared to the slice-by-slice 2D reconstruction for the parallel-hole collimator and line integral data, a more complex 3D reconstruction is needed for the slat collimator and plane integral data. In this paper, we propose a 3D RBI-EM reconstruction algorithm with spherically-symmetric basis function, also called 'blobs', for the slat collimator. It has a closed and spherically symmetric analytical expression for the 3D Radon transform, which makes it easier to compute the plane integral than the voxel. It is completely localized in the spatial domain and nearly band-limited in the frequency domain. Its size and shape can be controlled by several parameters to have desired reconstructed image quality. A mathematical lesion phantom study has demonstrated that the blob reconstruction can achieve better contrast-noise trade-offs than the voxel reconstruction without greatly degrading the image resolution. A real lesion phantom study further confirmed this and showed that a slat collimator with CZT detector has better image quality than the conventional parallel-hole collimator with NaI detector. The improvement might be due to both the slat collimation and the better energy resolution of the CZT detector.     

Compensation of spatial system response in SPECT with conjugate gradient reconstruction technique

A procedure for the determination of the system matrix in single photon emission tomography (SPECT) is described which uses the conjugate gradient reconstruction technique in order to take into account the variable system resolution of a camera equipped with parallel-hole collimators. The procedure involves the acquisition of the system line spread functions (LSF) in the region occupied by the object to be studied. Those data are used to generate a set of weighting factors based on the assumption that the LSFs of the collimated camera are of Gaussian shape with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) linearly dependent on the source depth in the span of image space. The factors are stored on a disc file for subsequent use in the reconstruction process. Afterwards the reconstruction is performed using the conjugate gradient method with the system matrix modified by the incorporation of these precalculated factors in order to take into account the variable geometrical system response. The set of weighting factors is regenerated whenever the acquisition conditions are changed (collimator, radius of rotation). In the case of an ultra high resolution (UHR) collimator 2000 weighting factors need to be calculated. The modification of the system matrix for the geometrical response allows the number of iterations to increase, considerably improving image definition without the appearance of noise artifacts. Moreover, phantom studies show that the number of iterations is less critical because of improved stability in the convergence to the solution. For brain studies of patients 10-15 iterations are usually performed. Studies with a single line source give a value between 7 and 8 mm for the FWHM of the point spread function (PSF) when the conjugate gradient method with modified system matrix is used on data acquired with a UHR collimator, whereas without the modification of the system matrix the result is 9 mm FWHM, if filtered backprojection (FBP) is used with the same filter as in the clinical studies the result is 15 mm FWHM. The results of this work show that proper definition of the system matrix using conjugate gradients influences the quality of the reconstruction remarkably. Nevertheless, further work has to be done in order to assess to what extent the system matrix is ill-conditioned and, eventually, to define a suitable regularization technique.     

A simple, direct method for x-ray scatter estimation and correction in digital radiography and cone-beam CT

X-ray scatter poses a significant limitation to image quality in cone-beam CT (CBCT), resulting in contrast reduction, image artifacts, and lack of CT number accuracy. We report the performance of a simple scatter correction method in which scatter fluence is estimated directly in each projection from pixel values near the edge of the detector behind the collimator leaves. The algorithm operates on the simple assumption that signal in the collimator shadow is attributable to x-ray scatter, and the 2D scatter fluence is estimated by interpolating between pixel values measured along the top and bottom edges of the detector behind the collimator leaves. The resulting scatter fluence estimate is subtracted from each projection to yield an estimate of the primary-only images for CBCT reconstruction. Performance was investigated in phantom experiments on an experimental CBCT bench-top, and the effect on image quality was demonstrated in patient images (head, abdomen, and pelvis sites) obtained on a preclinical system for CBCT-guided radiation therapy. The algorithm provides significant reduction in scatter artifacts without compromise in contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). For example, in a head phantom, cupping artifact was essentially eliminated, CT number accuracy was restored to within 3%, and CNR (breast-to-water) was improved by up to 50%. Similarly in a body phantom, cupping artifact was reduced by at least a factor of 2 without loss in CNR. Patient images demonstrate significantly increased uniformity, accuracy, and contrast, with an overall improvement in image quality in all sites investigated. Qualitative evaluation illustrates that soft-tissue structures that are otherwise undetectable are clearly delineated in scatter-corrected reconstructions. Since scatter is estimated directly in each projection, the algorithm is robust with respect to system geometry, patient size and heterogeneity, patient motion, etc. Operating without prior information, analytical modeling, or Monte Carlo, the technique is easily incorporated as a preprocessing step in CBCT reconstruction to provide significant scatter reduction.     

光子射野剂量计算参数研究

目的：介绍医用加速器常规光子射线的机器数据测量方法及剂量计算模型中基本参数的计算过程。以百分深度剂量与散射因子为基础数据,根据原散射线模型通过测量数据推导出原射线组织最大剂量比、散射最大剂量比、原射线在水中线性衰减系数、能量注量等,为进一步还原射野在水模体中的剂量分布提供方法与理论。方法：用Blue Phantom三维水箱在医科达Synergy加速器上测量6MV光子线的百分深度剂量、离轴比剂量、总散射因子、准直器散射因子,先从测量的百分深度剂量曲线中按照原散射模型剥离出原射线百分深度剂量,然后在Matlab软件中拟合处理测量的散射因子数据,外推出零野的模体散射因子,从而按照给定公式计算出组织最大剂量比、散射最大剂量比。按照离轴比剂量,利用平方反比规律推出最大开野在模体表面的能量注量。结果：计算出准直器散射因子、总散射因子的拟合公式,外推零野模体散射因子（s。）、根据原射线的百分深度剂量曲线计算出原射线在水中线性衰减系数,组织最大剂量比（TMR）、散射最大剂量比（SMR）、以及射野能量注量分布（Fluence Matrix）。结论：这些基本参数是剂量计算建模的关键,也是进一步研究各种剂量计算模型的基础。     

Study of noise propagation and the effects of insufficient numbers of projection angles and detector samplings for iterative reconstruction using planar-integral data

A rotating slat collimator can be used to acquire planar-integral data. It achieves higher geometric efficiency than a parallel-hole collimator by accepting more photons, but the planar-integral data contain less tomographic information that may result in larger noise amplification in the reconstruction. Lodge evaluated the rotating slat system and the parallel-hole system based on noise behavior for an FBP reconstruction. Here, we evaluate the noise propagation properties of the two collimation systems for iterative reconstruction. We extend Huesman's noise propagation analysis of the line-integral system to the planar-integral case, and show that approximately 2.0(D/dp) SPECT angles, 2.5(D/dp) self-spinning angles at each detector position, and a 0.5dp detector sampling interval are required in order for the planar-integral data to be efficiently utilized. Here, D is the diameter of the object and dp is the linear dimension of the voxels that subdivide the object. The noise propagation behaviors of the two systems are then compared based on a least-square reconstruction using the ratio of the SNR in the image reconstructed using a planar-integral system to that reconstructed using a line-integral system. The ratio is found to be proportional to the square root of F/D, where F is a geometric efficiency factor. This result has been verified by computer simulations. It confirms that for an iterative reconstruction, the noise tradeoff of the two systems is not only dependent on the increase of the geometric efficiency afforded by the planar projection method, but also dependent on the size of the object. The planar-integral system works better for small objects, while the line-integral system performs better for large ones. This result is consistent with Lodge's results based on the FBP method.     

Monte Carlo modelling of the performance of a rotating slit-collimator for improved planar gamma-camera imaging.

Planar imaging with a gamma camera is currently limited by the performance of the collimator. Spatial resolution and sensitivity trade off against each other; it is not possible with conventional parallel-hole collimation to have high geometric sensitivity and at the same time excellent spatial resolution unless field-of-view is sacrificed by using fan- or cone-beam collimators. We propose a rotating slit-collimator which collects one-dimensional projections from which the planar image may be reconstructed by the theory of computed tomography. The performance of such a collimator is modelled by Monte Carlo methods and images are reconstructed by a convolution and backprojection technique. The performance is compared with that of a conventional parallel-hole collimator and it is shown that higher spatial resolution with increased sensitivity is possible with the slit-collimator. For a point source a spatial resolution of some 6 mm at a distance of 100 mm from the collimator with a x7 sensitivity compared with a parallel-hole collimator was achieved. Applications to bone scintigraphy are modelled and an improved performance in hot-spot imaging is demonstrated. The expected performance in cold-spot imaging is analytically investigated. The slit-collimator is not expected to improve cold-spot imaging. Practical design considerations are discussed.     

前列腺癌调强计划改变多叶准直器角度对直肠和膀胱剂量的影响

目的:常规放疗的前列腺癌,由于直肠和膀胱的剂量限制,治疗结束后活检阳性率较多。剂量递增实验证明,高剂量照射能提高前列腺癌的局部控制率和生存率。本文以前列腺癌为例,在保证肿瘤区域剂量的前提下,探讨调强计划中改变多叶准直器角度对减少直肠和膀胱剂量的影响。材料方法:选取10例已放疗患者的CT作为研究对象,用调强技术比较改变多叶准直器角度对直肠和膀胱的剂量影响。结果:直肠的D25、D50、V60和膀胱的D30、D50、V60在改变多叶准直器角度后都有明显减少。结论:在前列腺癌靶区复杂,且计划因肿瘤剂量和正常组织剂量不能同时满足时,应用此方法可以一定程度上减少正常组织的受照剂量。     

Modeling of beam customization devices in the pencil-beam splitting algorithm for heavy charged particle radiotherapy

A broad-beam-delivery system for radiotherapy with protons or ions often employs multiple collimators and a range-compensating filter, which offer complex and potentially useful beam customization. It is however difficult for conventional pencil-beam algorithms to deal with fine structures of these devices due to beam-size growth during transport. This study aims to avoid the difficulty with a novel computational model. The pencil beams are initially defined at the range-compensating filter with angular-acceptance correction for upstream collimation followed by stopping and scattering. They are individually transported with possible splitting near the aperture edge of a downstream collimator to form a sharp field edge. The dose distribution for a carbon-ion beam was calculated and compared with existing experimental data. The penumbra sizes of various collimator edges agreed between them to a submillimeter level. This beam-customization model will be used in the greater framework of the pencil-beam splitting algorithm for accurate and efficient patient dose calculation.     

Joint optimization of collimator and reconstruction parameters in SPECT imaging for lesion quantification

Obtaining the best possible task performance using reconstructed SPECT images requires optimization of both the collimator and reconstruction parameters. The goal of this study is to determine how to perform this optimization, namely whether the collimator parameters can be optimized solely from projection data, or whether reconstruction parameters should also be considered. In order to answer this question, and to determine the optimal collimation, a digital phantom representing a human torso with 16 mm diameter hot lesions (activity ratio 8:1) was generated and used to simulate clinical SPECT studies with parallel-hole collimation. Two approaches to optimizing the SPECT system were then compared in a lesion quantification task: sequential optimization, where collimation was optimized on projection data using the Cramer–Rao bound, and joint optimization, which simultaneously optimized collimator and reconstruction parameters. For every condition, quantification performance in reconstructed images was evaluated using the root-mean-squared-error of 400 estimates of lesion activity. Compared to the joint-optimization approach, the sequential-optimization approach favoured a poorer resolution collimator, which, under some conditions, resulted in sub-optimal estimation performance. This implies that inclusion of the reconstruction parameters in the optimization procedure is important in obtaining the best possible task performance; in this study, this was achieved with a collimator resolution similar to that of a general-purpose (LEGP) collimator. This collimator was found to outperform the more commonly used high-resolution (LEHR) collimator, in agreement with other task-based studies, using both quantification and detection tasks.