Analysis of Spectral Hounsfield Units Curve of Radiolucent and Radiopaque Materials in the Animal Rectum

The purpose of the present study was to assess the general characteristics of images produced by radiolucent and radiopaque materials used for computed tomography scanning of the animal rectum and suggest ideal materials for contrast enhancement between normal and abnormal tissues. The computed tomography system used in this study was 64-multidetector computed tomography. Computed tomography scanning was performed with standard scan parameters for abdominal examination and gemstone spectral image mode using saline, methyl-cellulose, contrast medium, ultrasound gel, and air in addition to radiolucency. Computed tomography values were obtained for each material at different energy levels. Changes in computed tomography values were compared and analyzed. Changes in computed tomography values and volume of each material were examined before and after rectal contrast material administration. Ultrasound gel was found to exhibit a computed tomography value close to the baseline value and a greater degree of contrast, compared with other materials. In image evaluation, methyl-cellulose is considered a useful material in providing contrasting image evidence of rectal diseases. Also, it had a larger volume in the rectum after a computed tomography scan. Thus, methyl-cellulose was a useful contrast medium for computed tomography scan imaging of the rectum.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the chest: A diagnostic comparison with computed tomography and hilar tomography

Computed tomography (with and without contrast enhancement) provides excellent diagnostic accuracy for the evaluation of the chest. Oblique (55°) and anteroposterior hilar tomography is accurate for the evaluation of hilar nodes and masses. Magnetic resonance techniques provide excellent differentiation of vascular and nonvascular structures and therefore should be useful in the hilum and mediastinum. Magnetic resonance imaging was used in 55 patients with known pathologic conditions in the mediastinum, hilum, and lungs to determine the accuracy and efficacy of this technique compared with computed and hilar tomography. The pathologic conditions included primary and metastatic neoplasms, benign masses, vascular abnormalities, and pulmonary nodules and infiltrates. Spatial resolution with magnetic resonance imaging is less than with computed tomography with our instrument (0.15 T resistive magnet). However, in the hilum and mediastinum, magnetic resonance imaging provided diagnostic information equal to that of computed tomography with contrast in 90% of patients. Vascular and nonvascular structures were more easily differentiated than with hilar tomography. Computed tomography was far superior in the evaluation of multiple pulmonary nodules. Lesions of the chest wall were better seen with magnetic resonance imaging because of the improved soft tissue contrast.     

同步辐射计算机断层技术光源误差机理分析

基于同步辐射X射线的优越特性及计算机断层重建技术对材料无损检测等优点,同步辐射计算机断层重建技术被广泛应用于很多领域.本文对光源非均匀、过饱和以及过穿透的三种情形所引起同步辐射计算机断层技术重建误差的形成机理进行了分析研究,给出了三种情形所引起误差的基本形式.在此基础上,对这三种误差进行了数值模拟,模拟结果证实了分析的正确性. 关键词： 同步辐射 计算机断层 光源 误差     

Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease

Six patients with the classical form of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) were studied with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. While final diagnosis of PMD should be made on the basis of histopathologic findings in the brain, findings in this group support the fact that MRI can be used for tentative early diagnosis when computer tomographic examination is normal or nondiagnostic. All patients had MRI findings reflecting a pattern of diffuse white matter disease that can be considered characteristic in the appropriate clinical setting.     

Computerized tomography technique for reconstruction of obstructed temperature field in infrared thermography

Infrared thermography is a rapid, non-invasive and full-field technique for non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E). With all the achievements on IR instrumentation and image processing techniques attained, it has been extended far beyond simple hot-spot detection and becomes one of the most promising NDT&E techniques in the last decades. It has achieved increasing acceptance in different sectors include medical imaging, manufacturing component fault detection and buildings diagnostic. However, one limitation of IR thermography is that the testing results are greatly affected by object surface emissivity. Surface with various emissivities may lead to difficult discrimination between area of defect and area with different emissivity. Therefore, many studies have been carried out on eliminating emissivity, for example, the time derivative approach, lock-in processing and differential contrast measurements. In these methods, sequence of themo-data/images are recorded and being processed in order to eliminate differences of emissivity. Another problem of IR thermography is that any obstruction may limit stimulations and imaging which leads to the observation of unclear defect image. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an algorithm based on the principle of computerized tomography which permits the reconstruction of unavailable/partially available temperature distribution of the affected area using the measured surrounding temperature field. In the process, a set of imaginary rays are projected from many different directions across the area. For each ray, integration of the temperature derivatives along the ray is equals to the temperature difference between the boundary points intercepted by the ray. Therefore, a set of linear equations can be established by considering the multiple rays. Each equation expresses the unknown temperature derivatives in the affected area in terms of the measured boundary temperature data. Solution of the set of simultaneous equations yields unknown thermal distribution in the area which needs to be reconstructed. Based on the proposed computerized tomography reconstruction (CTR) technique, deviated temperature data due to missing temperature data hidden by obstacle can be reconstructed. With further development, this technique may have the potential to be applied in the reconstruction of any smooth physical fields like phase information in optical techniques.     

基于激光尾波加速的涡轮叶片高能X射线CT

发展微焦点高能X射线源技术是实现高精度高能工业CT突破的关键,基于激光尾波加速驱动高能轫致辐射源开展了微焦点高能X射线源产生以及对涡轮叶片高能CT成像研究。利用一台20 TW钛蓝宝石超快超强激光器,通过电离注入的方式获得了（140±44）pC的高能电子束,并使用1.5 mm厚钨靶产生了累积源尺寸为25 μm的高能轫致辐射X射线。利用该微焦点高能X射线源,采用基于压缩感知的CT重建算法,在获取较少角度投影（31个角度）的情况下,获得了对涡轮叶片叶榫结构的CT重建。     

Photonic sensing technology is opening new frontiers in biophotonics

In advanced sensing photonics it is of great importance to explore the detection limits of extremely weak optical signals and imaging using state-of-the art technology. In this paper we describe recent progress in photonic sensing technology achieved in practice in the standard quantum limit of optical detection imposed by the signal-limited shot noise, which can be realized by both the optical heterodyne detection and photon counting techniques. Then, with particular attention on imaging of ultraweak photonic signals by these techniques, their applications in developing new frontiers in the field of biophotonics such as laser computed tomography, and the imaging and characterization of ultraweak biophoton emission phenomena are described and discussed as one of the typical examples of future trends in this field.     

聚合物泡沫结构及密度分布的相衬CT表征技术

阐述了利用X射线相衬成像技术研究高分子有机泡沫材料微观结构的原理及方法,理论分析及实验结果表明,X射线相衬成像方法可以在相当大的程度上提高低Z聚合物泡沫材料的成像衬度。将相衬成像技术与计算机层析成像技术相结合,获得了泡沫样品的3维骨架结构分布,同时,提出利用统计切片骨架"粒子"质心分布的方法来表征其密度分布均匀性。结果说明,该方法能够在微观层次上实现对泡沫样品3维密度分布的完备表征。     

计算层析成像光谱技术研究进展

从技术特点和研究热点的角度,综述了近些年来计算层析成像光谱技术的国内外进展,主要包括计算层析成像光谱仪的系统结构改进及与其他技术联用的新集成设计,新器件新设备的研发和应用,仪器定标技术和目标重建算法的优化与改进等;并按照应用范围的特点进行了分类,对在探测波段扩展和应用领域拓展等方面的应用现状进行了总结.介绍了光栅型和旋转棱镜型计算层析成像光谱技术的原理,并展望了计算层析成像光谱技术的发展趋势.     

Enhancement of photoacoustic tomography in the tissue with speed-of-sound variance using ultrasound computed tomography

The speed-of-sound variance will decrease the imaging quality of photoacoustic tomography in acoustically inhomogeneous tissue. In this study, ultrasound computed tomography is combined with photoacoustic tomography to enhance the photoacoustic tomography in this situation. The speed-of-sound information is recovered by ultrasound computed tomography. Then, an improved delay-and-sum method is used to reconstruct the image from the photoacoustic signals. The simulation results validate that the proposed method can obtain a better photoacoustic tomography than the conventional method when the speed-of-sound variance is increased. In addition, the influences of the speed-of-sound variance and the fan-angle on the image quality are quantitatively explored to optimize the image scheme. The proposed method has a good performance even when the speed-of-sound variance reaches 14.2%. Furthermore, an optimized fan angle is revealed,which can keep the good image quality with a low cost of hardware. This study has a potential value in extending the biomedical application of photoacoustic tomography.     

基于能量最小化的肾脏计算断层扫描图像分割方法

随着成像技术的不断发展, 医学图像处理在计算机辅助诊断和病变管理中的重要作用日渐突出, 而计算断层扫描序列图像的肾脏组织分割是其中的关键步骤. 本文结合肾脏序列图像的连续性特征, 提出了一种基于活动轮廓和图割方法的能量最小化分割模型来自动分割肾脏组织. 根据相邻切片图像的形状差异与层间距之间的关系, 计算出序列图像中适合图割优化能量函数的最优范围. 能量函数采用测地活动轮廓模型和Chan-Vese模型的综合形式, 兼顾了目标的边界和区域信息. 随后, 利用图割方法优化离散化的能量函数, 驱使活动轮廓逐渐向目标边界靠近, 直至收敛为止. 对30组腹腔序列图像进行了算法测试, 实验表明基于能量最小化的分割方法能够有效地提取出序列图像中的肾脏组织, 其分割结果的平均Dice系数达到了93.7%. 关键词： 计算层析 肾脏分割 能量最小化 连续性     

Hadron accelerators for radiotherapy

Over the last twenty years the treatment of cancer with protons and light nuclei such as carbon ions has moved from being the preserve of research laboratories into widespread clinical use. A number of choices now exist for the creation and delivery of these particles, key amongst these being the adoption of pencil beam scanning using a rotating gantry; attention is now being given to what technologies will enable cheaper and more effective treatment in the future. In this article the physics and engineering used in these hadron therapy facilities is presented, and the research areas likely to lead to substantive improvements. The wider use of superconducting magnets is an emerging trend, whilst further ahead novel high-gradient acceleration techniques may enable much smaller treatment systems. Imaging techniques to improve the accuracy of treatment plans must also be developed hand-in-hand with future sources of particles, a notable example of which is proton computed tomography.     

Tooth Distortion as a Function of Arch Form in Cone Beam Computed Tomography

The cone beam computed tomography enables conducting measurement of length and area in the space where it is impossible to conduct such measurement compared to panorama. The cone beam computed tomography also enables making three-dimensional diagnosis and establishing treatment plan. In this experiment, the cone beam computed tomography was used to analyze image distortion of anatomical structure whose location was different between panorama and reconstructed panoramic image. Multiplanar reformation image was obtained after radiography of mandibular dentition. Then, the axial image was examined to obtain cross-sectional images of teeth that ranged from the right second molar to the left second molar before diameter of crown was measured and compared. Based on the cross-section that was radiographed by using the cone beam computed tomography, comparison was made between reconstructed panorama and standard panorama. According to the results of comparison, diameter of crown was measured with a slight difference of around 0.03 mm between the cone beam computed tomography cross-sectional image and the reconstructed image. It was also found that panorama caused image distortion with the large error of around 0.95 mm. Based on these results, it was confirmed that the cone beam computed tomography panorama that was reconstructed in consideration of patient's anatomical structure showed less distortion than the existing panorama. It was also confirmed that depending on distance, there was decrease in reliability of measurement of anatomical structure whose location was different in the existing panoramic image. It is necessary to develop methods and various programs in the future to improve poor image information that is obtained from the cone beam computed tomography and panorama examination.     

Beam hardening correction for a cone-beam CT system and its effect on spatial resolution

In this paper, we present a beam hardening correction (BHC) method in three-dimension space for a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system in a mono-material case and investigate its effect on the spatial resolution. Due to the polychromatic character of the X-ray spectrum used, cupping and streak artifacts called beam hardening artifacts arise in the reconstructed CT images, causing reduced image quality. In addition, enhanced edges are introduced in the reconstructed CT images because of the beam hardening effect. The spatial resolution of the CBCT system is calculated from the edge response function (ERF) on different planes in space. Thus, in the CT images with beam hardening artifacts, enhanced ERFs will be extracted to calculate the modulation transfer function (MTF), obtaining a better spatial resolution that deviates from the real value. Reasonable spatial resolution can be obtained after reducing the artifacts. The 10% MTF value and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the point spread function with and without BHC are presented.     

Thickness determination of gold layer on pre‐Columbian objects and a gilding frame,combining pXRF and PLS regression

In conservation, restoration and characterization studies of art and archaeological objects, the improvement of analytical techniques is a tendency. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) is a versatile technique, and it has been widely used in the last decades for characterization of a great variety of materials (metals, glass, paints, inks, ceramics, etc.) applied to cultural heritage studies. Besides the chemical composition, it is possible to infer the layer thickness through XRF, enabling a general knowledge of the manufacturing techniques implemented by the culture of origin, as well as the association with the technological level reached for the production of each kind of artefact. The aim of this study is to introduce an alternative way for gold thickness determination of coatings in cultural heritage objects, combining portable XRF data and partial least square regression. As a case of study, we present the use of this methodology in portable XRF measurements performed in situ on a gilding frame in Brazil and in two pre‐Columbian artefacts from Chavin culture in Peru. Gold layers with thicknesses determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) were used as standards to perform a calibration model and to check the methodology before its application to unknown artefacts. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

生物医学光声成像

能够对组织体中的光学吸收体进行量化评估的光声成像(photoacoustic imaging)是一种有发展前景的医学成像模式.文章综述了处于快速发展阶段的光声成像技术.文章首先介绍光声成像的物理基础--光声效应.在此基础上,阐述光声成像技术的优势所在(与光学以及超声成像相比较).然后讨论目前该领域的主要技术路线,包括扫描层析术、计算机层析术以及原位探测成像技术.最后简要总结了光声成像技术在生物医学领域中的主要应用.     

Hepatic CT image retrieval based on the combination of Gabor filters and support vector machine

Content-based image retrieval has been an active area of research for more than ten years.Gabor schemes and support vector machine (SVM) method have been proven effective in image representation and classification. In this paper,we propose a retrieval scheme based on Gabor filters and SVMs for hepatic computed tomography (CT) images query.In our experiments,a batch of hepatic CT images containing several types of CT findings are used for the retrieval test.Precision comparison between our scheme and existing methods is presented.     

T-ray computed tomography

We demonstrate a tomographic imaging modality that uses pulsed terahertz (THz) radiation to probe the optical properties of three-dimensional (3D) structures in the far-infrared. This THz-wave computed tomography (T-ray CT) system provides sectional images of objects in a manner analogous to conventional CT techniques such as x-ray CT. The transmitted amplitude and phase of broadband pulses of THz radiation are measured at multiple projection angles. The filtered backprojection algorithm is then used to reconstruct the target object, including both its 3D structure and its frequency-dependent far-infrared optical properties.     

Computer-aided design for finlines and suspended-substrate microstrip lines

The computer-aided design of finlines and suspended-substrate microstrip lines are investigated. The numerical results of this paper show good agreement with those computed by other techniques for unilateral finlines and open suspended microstrip lines. The approach of this paper may be used to the computer-aided design of many other kinds of transmission lines and circuits for millimeter wave applications.     

Artificial intelligence in electrostatic risk management

In the last two decades protection against electrostatic hazards became a very important topic. The increase in the range of possible faults fast automated systems and complex fault analysis is required.The tools of artificial intelligence and expert systems have been applied successfully on this field and this paper aims to take a step further. While giving some insight to the currently used tools, another AI method, the 'support vector machines' are introduced in this paper. Besides a brief review on SVMs they are introduced to the SCOUT system, a novel approach to electrostatic hazard management.