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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Deterministic Simulation of First-Order Scattering in a Clinical X-ray Computed Tomography Scanner - Paper 81

In nondestructive testing (NDT) and medical diagnostic x-ray imaging (photon energy<140 keV), scattered x-ray caused by Compton and Rayleigh scattering should be eliminated. Scattered x-ray photons reduce image contrast, increase image noise, and introduce artifact into the reconstructed computed tomography (CT) images. In cone-beam CT, where the coverage of the x-ray beam and the area of the detector are significantly larger than those in fan-beam CT, x-ray photon scatter is one of the major sources of image degradation. The artifacts caused by scattered x-ray photon can be divided into two categories: 1) low spatial frequency scatter profile adds a positive bias to the detected radiation signal, thus reducing the effective attenuation of the imaged object, resulting in a negative bias in the measured linear attenuation coefficient in the image; 2) a high spatial frequency scatter profile causes a differential artifact, such as shading in uniform regions. A real x-ray scan is composed of both low and high frequency scatter profiles. Thus, the key to a successful scatter correction is the ability to accurately capture the scatter profile of a real x-ray imaging scan. The most accurate method for estimating a scatter profile is the Monte Carlo simulation. However, the computation cost of the Monte Carlo method makes it unfeasible for simulating real and complex scan geometries in clinical settings. A practical yet accurate scatter profile estimation method is through ray tracing techniques, where the scatter profiles are computed by tracking rays through the object's volume. The x-ray from the source is tracked when it interacts with the material in the volume. The interaction creates scattered x-rays, in all possible directions. These rays are again either attenuated or scattered, creating cascaded scatter events. In x-ray CT, the first-order scattering (where only one scatter interaction is encountered) accounts for the most severe image artifacts since this first-order scatter contains a high frequency component of the scatter profile. Previous studies have shown that ray tracing techniques are quite effective in simulating the contribution of first-order scattering in radiological images. In this study, a similar ray tracing technique is applied to simulate the scatter profile of a real x-ray computed tomography (CT) scan in clinical settings. A good agreement has been found between the simulated scatter profile and the experimental measurement result. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2015

TU-EF-204-10: A Preliminary Study Evaluating Calculation Variations of Local Noise Power Spectra for CT Simulation in Radiation Therapy

Purpose: Local noise power spectrum (NPS) properties are significantly affected by calculation variables and CT acquisition and reconstruction parameters, but a thoughtful analysis of these effects is absent. In this study, we performed a complete analysis of the effects of calculation and imaging parameters on the NPS. Methods: The uniformity module of a Catphan phantom was scanned with a Philips Brilliance 64-slice CT simulator using various scanning protocols. Images were reconstructed using both FBP and iDose4 reconstruction algorithms. From these images, local NPS were calculated for regions of interest (ROI) of varying locations and sizes, using four image background removal methods. Additionally, using a predetermined ground truth, NPS calculation accuracy for various calculation parameters was compared for computer simulated ROIs. A complete analysis of the effects of calculation, acquisition, and reconstruction parameters on the NPS was conducted. Results: The local NPS varied with ROI size and image background removal method, particularly at low spatial frequencies. The image subtraction method was the most accurate according to the computer simulation study, and was also the most effective at removing low frequency background components in the acquired data. However, first-order polynomial fitting using residual sum of squares and principle component analysis provided comparable accuracy under certain situations. Similar general trends were observed when comparing the NPS for FBP to that of iDose4 while varying other calculation and scanning parameters. However, while iDose4 reduces the noise magnitude compared to FBP, this reduction is spatial-frequency dependent, further affecting NPS variations at low spatial frequencies. Conclusion: The local NPS varies significantly depending on calculation parameters, image acquisition parameters, and reconstruction techniques. Appropriate local NPS calculation should be performed to capture spatial variations of noise; calculation methodology should be selected with consideration of image reconstruction effects and the desired purpose of CT simulation for radiotherapy tasks.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Accelerated fast iterative shrinkage thresholding algorithms for sparsity-regularized cone-beam CT image reconstruction

Purpose: The development of iterative image reconstruction algorithms for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) remains an active and important research area. Even with hardware acceleration, the overwhelming majority of the available 3D iterative algorithms that implement nonsmooth regularizers remain computationally burdensome and have not been translated for routine use in time-sensitive applications such as image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). In this work, two variants of the fast iterative shrinkage thresholding algorithm (FISTA) are proposed and investigated for accelerated iterative image reconstruction in CBCT. Methods: Algorithm acceleration was achieved by replacing the original gradient-descent step in the FISTAs by a subproblem that is solved by use of the ordered subset simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (OS-SART). Due to the preconditioning matrix adopted in the OS-SART method, two new weighted proximal problems were introduced and corresponding fast gradient projection-type algorithms were developed for solving them. We also provided efficient numerical implementations of the proposed algorithms that exploit the massive data parallelism of multiple graphics processing units. Results: The improved rates of convergence of the proposed algorithms were quantified in computer-simulation studies and by use of clinical projection data corresponding to an IGRT study. The accelerated FISTAs were shown to possess dramatically improved convergence properties as compared to the standard FISTAs. For example, the number of iterations to achieve a specified reconstruction error could be reduced by an order of magnitude. Volumetric images reconstructed from clinical data were produced in under 4 min. Conclusions: The FISTA achieves a quadratic convergence rate and can therefore potentially reduce the number of iterations required to produce an image of a specified image quality as compared to first-order methods. We have proposed and investigated accelerated FISTAs for use with two nonsmooth penalty functions that will lead to further reductions in image reconstruction times while preserving image quality. Moreover, with the help of a mixed sparsity-regularization, better preservation of soft-tissue structures can be potentially obtained. The algorithms were systematically evaluated by use of computer-simulated and clinical data sets.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-F-207-05: Excess Heat Corrections in a Prototype Calorimeter for Direct Realization of CT Absorbed Dose to Phantom

Purpose: To reconcile air kerma and calorimetry measurements in a prototype calorimeter for obtaining absorbed dose in diagnostic CT beams. While corrections for thermal artifacts are routine and generally small in calorimetry of radiotherapy beams, large differences in relative stopping powers of calorimeter materials at the lower energies typical of CT beams greatly magnify their effects. Work-to-date on the problem attempts to reconcile laboratory measurements with modeling output from Monte Carlo and finite-element analysis of heat transfer. Methods: Small thermistor beads were embedded in a polystyrene (PS) core element of 1 cm diameter, which was inserted into a cylindrical HDPE phantom of 30 cm diameter and subjected to radiation in a diagnostic CT x-ray imaging system. Resistance changes in the thermistors due to radiation heating were monitored via lock-in amplifier. Multiple 3-second exposures were recorded at 8 different dose-rates from the CT system, and least-squares fits to experimental data were compared to an expected thermal response obtained by finite-element analysis incorporating source terms based on semi-empirical modeling and Monte Carlo simulation. Results: Experimental waveforms exhibited large thermal artifacts with fast time constants, associated with excess heat in wires and glass, and smaller steps attributable to radiation heating of the core material. Preliminary finite-element analysis follows the transient component of the signal qualitatively, but predicts a slower decay of temperature spikes. This was supplemented by non-linear least-squares fits incorporating semi-empirical formulae for heat transfer, which were used to obtain dose-to-PS in reasonable agreement with the output of Monte Carlo calculations that converts air kerma to absorbed dose. Conclusion: Discrepancies between the finite-element analysis and our experimental data testify to the very significant heat transfer correction required for absorbed dose calorimetry of diagnostic CT beams. The results obtained here are being used to refine both simulations and design of calorimeter core components.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Degradation of ILW Drums Due to Internal Metallic Corrosion - 18036

Within the British nuclear inventory, metallic Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) is encapsulated in grout and stored in stainless steel drums. Based on recent inspections held in the relevant storage facilities (Sellafield, Cumbria), a proportion of these drums have exhibited considerable distortion, raising concerns about the long-term safety of the packages. Distortion may be caused by the generation of voluminous and potentially flammable substances resulting from metallic corrosion occurring within the drums' core. Potential oxygen influx in the event of steel fracture and consequently drum's failure could potentially cause release or even ignition of the encapsulated radioactive material. The mechanical degradation of the encapsulants (stainless steel and grout) induced from the progressive corrosion of the encapsulated metallic components (and the associated volume expansion) was investigated using both Finite Element Modelling (FEM) techniques as well as experimental trials. A parametric study using simplified 3D FE models was performed to determine their structural integrity under different scenarios. Synchrotron X-Ray tomography (XRT) was used to monitor the behaviour of miniaturized ILW drum-simulants, whilst the latter were subjected to controlled accelerated corrosion in situ. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-53: Treatment Planning with Inhomogeneity Correction for Intraoperative Radiotherapy Using KV X-Ray Beams

Purpose: The current standard in dose calculation for intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) using the ZEISS Intrabeam 50 kV x-ray system is based on depth dose measurements in water and no heterogeneous tissue effect has been taken into account. We propose an algorithm for pre-treatment planning including inhomogeneity correction based on data of depth dose measurements in various tissue phantoms for kV x-rays. Methods: Direct depth dose measurements were made in air, water, inner bone and cortical bone phantoms for the Intrabeam 50 kV x-rays with a needle applicator. The data were modelled by a function of power law combining exponential with different parameters. Those phantom slabs used in the measurements were scanned to obtain CT numbers. The x-ray beam initiated from the source isocenter is ray-traced through tissues. The corresponding doses will be deposited/assigned at different depths. On the boundary of tissue/organ changes, the x-ray beam will be re-traced in new tissue/organ starting at an equivalent depth with the same dose. In principle, a volumetric dose distribution can be generated if enough directional beams are traced. In practice, a several typical rays traced may be adequate in providing estimates of maximum dose to the organ at risk and minimum dose in the target volume. Results: Depth dose measurements and modeling are shown in Figure 1. The dose versus CT number is shown in Figure 2. A computer program has been written for Kypho-IORT planning using those data. A direct measurement through 2 mm solid water, 2 mm inner bone, and 1 mm solid water yields a dose rate of 7.7 Gy/min. Our calculation shows 8.1±0.4 Gy/min, consistent with the measurement within 5%. Conclusion: The proposed method can be used to more accurately calculate the dose by taking into account the heterogeneous effect. The further validation includes comparison with Monte Carlo simulation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-658: Out-Of-Field Dose Comparison for TrueBeam Low Energy Beams for Extended Distances: Measurement Vs Monte Carlo Simulation

Purpose: Patient dose far from the treatment field is comprised of scatter from within the patient, and treatment head leakage. We quantify the treatment head leakage for TrueBeam linear accelerator for 6X and 6X-FFF beams by comparing measurements to Monte Carlo simulations for a variety of jaw sizes and collimator rotations. This work is conceptually similar to that of Kry et al. (Medical Physics 2006; 33: 4405), who considered a Clinac linear accelerator. Methods: Measurements were made using an EXRADIN A101 ion chamber positioned in the patient plane, at distances up to 100 cm from isocenter. Simulations were done using VirtuaLinac, the GEANT4-based Monte Carlo model of the TrueBeam treatment head, and an in-house (U. Virginia) GEANT4-based code. In-house code modelled an ion chamber with build-up, based on a CT scan of the chamber. VirtuaLinac included a detailed model of the treatment head shielding, and was run on the Amazon Web Services cloud to generate spherical phase space files surrounding the treatment head. These phase space files were imported into the in-house code. Results: Initial comparisons between measurements and simulation showed an excess of dose in the in-plane direction, away from the gantry, in the simulations. This was traced to an incomplete model of the shielding—specifically, the component holding the primary collimator was smaller in the model than in the TrueBeam. Modifications were made to VirtuaLinac to more closely match the engineering drawings. In the in-plane direction, the lowest out of field dose was away from gantry (negative abscissa values) at around 60 cm from isocenter, for fields smaller than 10×10 cm2. Out of field dose decreased with decreasing jaw size. Flattening-filter free beam produced out-of-field doses as low as 65% of those with flattened beam. Conclusion: Doses determined from simulation and measurement were in close agreement. Funding support from the Jefferson Trust Foundation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Axion dark matter: strings and their cores

Axions constitute a well-motivated dark matter candidate, and if PQ symmetry breaking occurred after inflation, it should be possible to make a clean prediction for the relation between the axion mass and the axion dark matter density. We show that axion (or other global) string networks in 3D have a network density that depends logarithmically on the string separation-to-core ratio. This logarithm would be about 10 times larger in axion cosmology than what we can achieve in numerical simulations. We simulate axion production in the early Universe, finding that, for the separation-to-core ratios we can achieve, the changing density of the network has little impact on the axion production efficiency.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-C-BRB-06: Utilizing 3D Scanner and Printer for Dummy Eye-Shield: Artifact-Free CT Images of Tungsten Eye-Shield for Accurate Dose Calculation

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a tungsten eye-shield on the dose distribution of a patient. Methods: A 3D scanner was used to extract the dimension and shape of a tungsten eye-shield in the STL format. Scanned data was transferred into a 3D printer. A dummy eye shield was then produced using bio-resin (3D systems, VisiJet M3 Proplast). For a patient with mucinous carcinoma, the planning CT was obtained with the dummy eye-shield placed on the patient’s right eye. Field shaping of 6 MeV was performed using a patient-specific cerrobend block on the 15 x 15 cm{sup 2} applicator. The gantry angle was 330° to cover the planning target volume near by the lens. EGS4/BEAMnrc was commissioned from our measurement data from a Varian 21EX. For the CT-based dose calculation using EGS4/DOSXYZnrc, the CT images were converted to a phantom file through the ctcreate program. The phantom file had the same resolution as the planning CT images. By assigning the CT numbers of the dummy eye-shield region to 17000, the real dose distributions below the tungsten eye-shield were calculated in EGS4/DOSXYZnrc. In the TPS, the CT number of the dummy eye-shield region was assigned to the maximum allowable CT number (3000). Results: As compared to the maximum dose, the MC dose on the right lens or below the eye shield area was less than 2%, while the corresponding RTP calculated dose was an unrealistic value of approximately 50%. Conclusion: Utilizing a 3D scanner and a 3D printer, a dummy eye-shield for electron treatment can be easily produced. The artifact-free CT images were successfully incorporated into the CT-based Monte Carlo simulations. The developed method was useful in predicting the realistic dose distributions around the lens blocked with the tungsten shield.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1993

Computerized atmospheric trace contaminant control simulation for manned spacecraft

Buildup of atmospheric trace contaminants in enclosed volumes such as a spacecraft may lead to potentially serious health problems for the crew members. For this reason, active control methods must be implemented to minimize the concentration of atmospheric contaminants to levels that are considered safe for prolonged, continuous exposure. Designing hardware to accomplish this has traditionally required extensive testing to characterize and select appropriate control technologies. Data collected since the Apollo project can now be used in a computerized performance simulation to predict the performance and life of contamination control hardware to allow for initial technology screening, performance prediction, and operations and contingency studies to determine the most suitable hardware approach before specific design and testing activities begin. The program, written in FORTRAN 77, provides contaminant removal rate, total mass removed, and per pass efficiency for each control device for discrete time intervals. In addition, projected cabin concentration is provided. Input and output data are manipulated using commercial spreadsheet and data graphing software. These results can then be used in analyzing hardware design parameters such as sizing and flow rate, overall process performance and program economics. Test performance may also be predicted to aid test design.

Perry, J. L.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Customized multi-group cross section generation with NJOY for discrete ordinates X-ray computed tomography and radiography simulation - 25589

The purpose of this work was to explore the creation of photo-atomic multi-group cross section libraries to be used with a software package DOCTORS (Discrete Ordinates Computed Tomography and Radiography Simulator). This software solves the linear Boltzmann equation using the discrete ordinates method. To create these libraries, NJOY2016 was used, creating both fine and broad energy multi-group cross section files. The cross section's accuracy was tested against an equivalent Monte Carlo simulation using MCNP6. Two simulation geometries were used. The first, a cylindrical water phantom with a single source projection placed in front, simulating an X-ray radiography. The second used the same water phantom with 16 cone beam sources placed evenly around the phantom to simulate a computed tomography (CT) scan. The accuracy of the fine energy multi-group cross sections when used in DOCTORS has been verified. The accuracy of the broad energy multigroup cross sections when used in DOCTORS shows that more work must be done before they can be used reliably. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Accuracy of Monte Carlo simulations compared to in-vivo MDCT dosimetry

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of a Monte Carlo simulation-based method for estimating radiation dose from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) by comparing simulated doses in ten patients to in-vivo dose measurements. Methods: MD Anderson Cancer Center Institutional Review Board approved the acquisition of in-vivo rectal dose measurements in a pilot study of ten patients undergoing virtual colonoscopy. The dose measurements were obtained by affixing TLD capsules to the inner lumen of rectal catheters. Voxelized patient models were generated from the MDCT images of the ten patients, and the dose to the TLD for all exposures was estimated using Monte Carlo based simulations. The Monte Carlo simulation results were compared to the in-vivo dose measurements to determine accuracy. Results: The calculated mean percent difference between TLD measurements and Monte Carlo simulations was −4.9% with standard deviation of 8.7% and a range of −22.7% to 5.7%. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate very good agreement between simulated and measured doses in-vivo. Taken together with previous validation efforts, this work demonstrates that the Monte Carlo simulation methods can provide accurate estimates of radiation dose in patients undergoing CT examinations.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Monte Carlo simulations of photoneutron activation in a medical LINAC

The first step of the present study was to simulate the γ-radioactivity produced by photoneutrons in the treatment head of a decommissioned medical LINAC. These results, obtained with MCNPX and CINDER'90, are then compared with γ-ray spectrometric measurements of parts of the treatment head. Our ultimate objective is to simulate the associated production by photonuclear reactions of pure β-emitters, which are more difficult to access experimentally than the γ-ray emitters. (authors)

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electroweak baryogenesis in the exceptional supersymmetric standard model

We study electroweak baryogenesis in the E{sub 6} inspired exceptional supersymmetric standard model (E{sub 6}SSM). The relaxation coefficients driven by singlinos and the new gaugino as well as the transport equation of the Higgs supermultiplet number density in the E{sub 6}SSM are calculated. Our numerical simulation shows that both CP-violating source terms from singlinos and the new gaugino can solely give rise to a correct baryon asymmetry of the Universe via the electroweak baryogenesis mechanism.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Comparing Effective Doses During Image-Guided Core Needle Biopsies with Computed Tomography Versus C-Arm Cone Beam CT Using Adult and Pediatric Phantoms

PurposeTo compare the effective doses of needle biopsies based on dose measurements and simulations using adult and pediatric phantoms, between cone beam c-arm CT (CBCT) and CT.MethodEffective doses were calculated and compared based on measurements and Monte Carlo simulations of CT- and CBCT-guided biopsy procedures of the lungs, liver, and kidney using pediatric and adult phantoms.ResultsThe effective doses for pediatric and adult phantoms, using our standard protocols for upper, middle and lower lungs, liver, and kidney biopsies, were significantly lower under CBCT guidance than CT. The average effective dose for a 5-year old for these five biopsies was 0.36 ± 0.05 mSv with the standard CBCT exposure protocols and 2.13 ± 0.26 mSv with CT. The adult average effective dose for the five biopsies was 1.63 ± 0.22 mSv with the standard CBCT protocols and 8.22 ± 1.02 mSv using CT. The CT effective dose was higher than CBCT protocols for child and adult phantoms by 803 and 590 % for upper lung, 639 and 525 % for mid-lung, and 461 and 251 % for lower lung, respectively. Similarly, the effective dose was higher by 691 and 762 % for liver and 513 and 608 % for kidney biopsies.ConclusionsBased on measurements and simulations with pediatric and adult phantoms, radiation effective doses during image-guided needle biopsies of the lung, liver, and kidney are significantly lower with CBCT than with CT.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2016

TH-AB-209-11: Breast Microcalcification Classification Using Spectral X-Ray Coherent Scatter Computed Tomography

Purpose: To investigate the ability of Coherent Scatter Computed Tomography (CSCT) to distinguish non-invasively between type I calcifications, consisting of calcium oxalate dihydrate (CO) compounds which are more often associated with benign lesions, and type II calcifications containing hydroxyapatite (HA) which are predominantly associated with malignant tumors. Methods: The coherent scatter cross sections of HA and CO were measured using an energy dispersive x-ray diffractometer. The measured cross sections were introduced into MC-GPU Monte Carlo simulation code for studying the applicability of CSCT to discriminate between the two types of microcalcifications within the whole breast. Simulations were performed on a virtual phantom with inserted HA and CO spots of different sizes and placed in regions of interest having different background compositions. We considered a polychromatic x-ray source and an energy resolving photon counting detector. We applied an algorithm that estimates scatter components in projection space in order to obtain material-specific images of the breast. As material components adipose, glandular, HA and CO were used. The relative contrast of HA and CO components were used for type I and type II microcalcification discrimination. Results: The reconstructed CSCT images showed material-specific component-contrast values, with the highest CO or HA component contrast corresponding generally to the actual CO or HA feature, respectively. The discrimination performance varies with the x-ray intensity, calcification size, and background composition. The results were summarized using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with the area under the curve (AUC) taken as an overall indicator of discrimination performance and showing high AUC values up to unity. Conclusion: The simulation results obtained for a uniform breast imaging phantom indicate that CSCT has potential to be used as a non-invasive method for discrimination between type I and type II microcalcifications.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-374: Dosimetric Effects of Irradiation Through a Bilateral Hip Prosthesis in a MRI Linac

Purpose: To evaluate the interface effects when irradiating through a hip prosthesis in the presence of an orthogonal 1.5 T magnetic field using Monte Carlo simulations. Methods: A 20×20×38 cm virtual phantom with two 5×5×5 cm sections of bilateral titanium hip prosthesis was created in GPU-based Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm (GPUMCD, Elekta AB, Stockholm Sweden). The lateral prosthesis spacing was based on a representative patient CT scan. A treatment SAD of 143.5 cm was chosen, corresponding to the Elekta AB MRI Linac and the beam energy distribution was sampled from a histogram representing the true MRI Linac spectrum. A magnetic field of 1.5 T was applied perpendicular to the plane of irradiation. Dose was calculated, in voxels of side 1 mm, for 2×2, 5×5, and 10×10 cm treatment field sizes with normal beam incidence (gantry at 90° or 270°) and at 5° and 10° from normal, representing the range of incidence through the bilateral prosthesis. Results: With magnetic field ON (B-On) and normal beam incidence the backscatter dose at the interfaces of proximal and distal implants is reduced for all the field sizes compared to the magnetic field OFF (B-Off) case. The absolute reduction in doses at the interface was in the range of 12.93% to 13.16% for the proximal implant and 13.57% to 16.12% for the distal implant. Similarly for the oblique incidences of 5o and 10o the dose in the plane adjacent to the prosthetic implants is lower when the magnetic field is ON. Conclusion: The dosimetric effects of irradiating through a hip prosthesis in the presence of a transverse magnetic field have been determined using MC simulation. The backscatter dose reduction translates into significantly lower hot spots at the prosthetic interfaces, which are otherwise substantially high in the absence of the magnetic field. This project was supported through funding provided by ElektaTM.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

MO-DE-207A-06: ECG-Gated CT Reconstruction for a C-Arm Inverse Geometry X-Ray System

Purpose: To obtain ECG-gated CT images from truncated projection data acquired with a C-arm based inverse geometry fluoroscopy system, for the purpose of cardiac chamber mapping in interventional procedures. Methods: Scanning-beam digital x-ray (SBDX) is an inverse geometry fluoroscopy system with a scanned multisource x-ray tube and a photon-counting detector mounted to a C-arm. In the proposed method, SBDX short-scan rotational acquisition is performed followed by inverse geometry CT (IGCT) reconstruction and segmentation of contrast-enhanced objects. The prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS) framework was adapted for IGCT reconstruction to mitigate artifacts arising from data truncation and angular undersampling due to cardiac gating. The performance of the reconstruction algorithm was evaluated in numerical simulations of truncated and non-truncated thorax phantoms containing a dynamic ellipsoid to represent a moving cardiac chamber. The eccentricity of the ellipsoid was varied at frequencies from 1–1.5 Hz. Projection data were retrospectively sorted into 13 cardiac phases. Each phase was reconstructed using IGCT-PICCS, with a nongated gridded FBP (gFBP) prior image. Surface accuracy was determined using Dice similarity coefficient and a histogram of the point distances between the segmented surface and ground truth surface. Results: The gated IGCT-PICCS algorithm improved surface accuracy and reduced streaking and truncation artifacts when compared to nongated gFBP. For the non-truncated thorax with 1.25 Hz motion, 99% of segmented surface points were within 0.3 mm of the 15 mm diameter ground truth ellipse, versus 1.0 mm for gFBP. For the truncated thorax phantom with a 40 mm diameter ellipse, IGCT-PICCS surface accuracy measured 0.3 mm versus 7.8 mm for gFBP. Dice similarity coefficient was 0.99–1.00 (IGCT-PICCS) versus 0.63–0.75 (gFBP) for intensity-based segmentation thresholds ranging from 25–75% maximum contrast. Conclusions: The PICCS algorithm was successfully applied to reconstruct truncated IGCT projection data with angular undersampling resulting from simulated cardiac gating. Research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the NIH under award number R01HL084022. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗