In the project, we propose to develop, optimize, and translate advanced, exact algorithms for image reconstruction in helical cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Approximate reconstruction algorithms have been used for clinical helical CBCT, and they have been optimized, and work well, for many clinical cases. However, on a daily basis, radiologists also encounter CBCT images containing clinically significant artifacts, attaining levels that interfere with accurate diagnosis. The recently developed exact algorithms have the potential to eliminate or mitigate the artifacts while also reducing radiation dose. In order to translate these algorithms into clinic applications, many technical hurdles must be overcome. At this point, we believe that tackling these technical issues is actually more important than pursuing further purely theoretical algorithm development. Working through these technical problems of clinical significance will also provide a paradigm and roadmap that can be followed by research effort in the future if and when major new hardware developments are introduced. The proposed research is intended to fill in important gaps toward translating the theoretically exact algorithms to improving image quality, reducing imaging dose, and enabling new imaging capabilities in helical CBCT by tackling the issues. To achieve the overall objective of translating the newly developed exact algorithms to practical helical CBCT, we have designed four specific aims: (1) to develop and implement reconstruction algorithms tailored to practical helical CBCT;(2) to develop and optimize exact reconstruction algorithms for quantitative CT;(3) to test and evaluate the algorithms by using numerical and physical phantom data;and (4) to test and evaluate the algorithms in model- and human-observer studies. The first two aims focus on (a) the development, optimization, and translation of the exact algorithms that can significantly reduce the image artifacts in current clinical application of helical CBCT and (b) the investigation and exploitation of data redundancy for reducing the imaging dose and image artifacts in helical CBCT. The last two aims are designed for thorough evaluation of the algorithm performance in practical applications. A key motivation for the evaluation studies is to provide guidance for the tasks in Aims 1 and 2. We believe that the project is of high scientific and clinical significance in that it can expedite the translation of exact algorithms for improving image quality and reducing imaging dose. It can also produce new insights of significant implications for developing new CBCT imaging capability. The project has multiple facets of high innovation for addressing critical issues in the algorithms'translation to clinical applications and for investigating and using data redundancy for improving the image quality and lowering the imaging dose.

Public Health Relevance

The objective of the project is to investigate, develop, and translate innovative reconstruction algorithms and imaging configurations for helical cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The research can lead not only to an improved diagnostic accuracy for many of the current clinical protocols and but also to a host of potentially new protocols for new applications. The project can also reveal new insights of significant implications for further improving advanced CBCT and other tomographic imaging modalities that are used in, or are under development for, clinical and pre-clinical studies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EB000225-10
Application #
8220968
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SBIB-P (02))
Program Officer
Lopez, Hector
Project Start
2000-07-01
Project End
2015-01-31
Budget Start
2012-02-01
Budget End
2013-01-31
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$409,110
Indirect Cost
$142,714
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005421136
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
Pearson, Erik; Pan, Xiaochuan; Pelizzari, Charles (2016) Dynamic intensity-weighted region of interest imaging for conebeam CT. J Xray Sci Technol 24:361-77
Zhang, Zheng; Han, Xiao; Pearson, Erik et al. (2016) Artifact reduction in short-scan CBCT by use of optimization-based reconstruction. Phys Med Biol 61:3387-406
Han, Xiao; Pearson, Erik; Pelizzari, Charles et al. (2015) Algorithm-enabled exploration of image-quality potential of cone-beam CT in image-guided radiation therapy. Phys Med Biol 60:4601-33
Jørgensen, Jakob S; Sidky, Emil Y; Hansen, Per Christian et al. (2015) EMPIRICAL AVERAGE-CASE RELATION BETWEEN UNDERSAMPLING AND SPARSITY IN X-RAY CT. Inverse Probl Imaging (Springfield) 9:431-446
Graff, Christian G; Sidky, Emil Y (2015) Compressive sensing in medical imaging. Appl Opt 54:C23-44
Rose, Sean; Andersen, Martin S; Sidky, Emil Y et al. (2015) Noise properties of CT images reconstructed by use of constrained total-variation, data-discrepancy minimization. Med Phys 42:2690-8
Jørgensen, J S; Sidky, E Y (2015) How little data is enough? Phase-diagram analysis of sparsity-regularized X-ray computed tomography. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 373:
Sidky, Emil Y; Chartrand, Rick; Boone, John M et al. (2014) Constrained TpV Minimization for Enhanced Exploitation of Gradient Sparsity: Application to CT Image Reconstruction. IEEE J Transl Eng Health Med 2:
Sanchez, Adrian A; Sidky, Emil Y; Pan, Xiaochuan (2014) Region of interest based Hotelling observer for computed tomography with comparison to alternative methods. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 1:031010
Sidky, Emil Y; Kraemer, David N; Roth, Erin G et al. (2014) Analysis of iterative region-of-interest image reconstruction for x-ray computed tomography. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 1:031007

Showing the most recent 10 out of 77 publications