Accurate scatter correction is required to produce high-quality reconstructions of x-ray cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. This paper describes new scatter kernel superposition (SKS) algorithms for deconvolving scatter from projection data. The algorithms are designed to improve upon the conventional approach whose accuracy is limited by the use of symmetric kernels that characterize the scatter properties of uniform slabs. To model scatter transport in more realistic objects, nonstationary kernels, whose shapes adapt to local thickness variations in the projection data, are proposed. Two methods are introduced: (1) adaptive scatter kernel superposition (ASKS) requiring spatial domain convolutions and (2) fast adaptive scatter kernel superposition (fASKS) where, through a linearity approximation, convolution is efficiently performed in Fourier space. The conventional SKS algorithm, ASKS, and fASKS, were tested with Monte Carlo simulations and with phantom data acquired on a table-top CBCT system matching the Varian On-Board Imager (OBI). All three models accounted for scatter point-spread broadening due to object thickening, object edge effects, detector scatter properties and an anti-scatter grid. Hounsfield unit (HU) errors in reconstructions of a large pelvis phantom with a measured maximum scatter-to-primary ratio over 200% were reduced from -90 ± 58 HU (mean ± standard deviation) with no scatter correction to 53 ± 82 HU with SKS, to 19 ± 25 HU with fASKS and to 13 ± 21 HU with ASKS. HU accuracies and measured contrast were similarly improved in reconstructions of a body-sized elliptical Catphan phantom. The results show that the adaptive SKS methods offer significant advantages over the conventional scatter deconvolution technique.

By providing effective shading correction, our approach has the potential to improve the accuracy of more advanced CBCT-based clinical applications for IGRT, such as tumor delineation and dose calculation.

A T1 insensitive solvent suppression technique-band selective inversion with gradient dephasing (BASING)-was developed to suppress water and lipids for 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). BASING, which consists of a frequency selective RF inversion pulse surrounded by spoiler gradient pulses of opposite signs, was used to dephase stopband resonances and minimally impact passband metabolites. Passband phase linearity was achieved with a dual BASING scheme. Using the Shinnar-Le Roux algorithm, a highpass filter was designed to suppress water and rephase the lactate methyl doublet independently of TE, and water/lipid bandstop filters were designed for the brain and prostate. Phantom and in vivo experimental 3D PRESS CSI data were acquired at 1.5 T to compare BASING with CHESS and STIR suppression. With BASING, the measured suppression factor was over 100 times higher than with CHESS or STIR causing baseline distortions to be removed. It was shown that BASING can be incorporated into a variety of sequences to offer improved suppression in the presence of B1 and T1 inhomogeneites.

The scanning-beam digital x-ray (SBDX) system is designed for x-ray dose reduction in cardiac angiographic applications. Scatter reduction, efficient detection of primary x-rays, and an inverse beam geometry are the main components of the entrance dose reduction strategy. This paper reports the construction of an SBDX prototype, image reconstruction techniques, and measurements of spatial resolution and x-ray output. The x-ray source has a focal spot that is electronically scanned across a large-area transmission target. A multihole collimator beyond the target defines a series of x-ray beams directed at a distant small-area detector array. The prototype has a 23 cm X 23 cm target, 100 X 100 focal spot positions, and a 5 cm X 5 cm CdTe detector positioned 150 cm from the target. With this nonmechanical method of beam scanning, patient images with low detected scatter are generated at up to 30 frame/s. SBDX data acquisition is tomosynthetic. The prototype simultaneously reconstructs 16 planes spaced throughout the cardiac volume using shift-and-add backprojection. Image frames analogous to conventional projection images are generated with a multiplane compositing algorithm. Single-plane versus multiplane reconstruction of contrast-filled coronary arteries is demonstrated with images of the porcine heart. Phantom and porcine imaging studies show multiplane reconstruction is practicable under clinically realistic levels of patient attenuation and cardiac motion. The modulation transfer function for an in-plane slit at mechanical isocenter measured 0.41-0.56 at 1 cycle/mm, depending on the detector element to image pixel interpolation technique. Modeling indicates that desired gains in spatial resolution are achievable by halving the detector element width. The x-ray exposure rate 15 cm below isocenter, without table or patient in the beam, measured 11.5 R/min at 120 kVp, 24.3 kWp and 3.42 R/min at 70 kVp, 14.2 kWp.