A Monte Carlo simulation of image misalignment effects in diffusion tensor imaging

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography are noninvasive MRI methods, providing an insight on microscopic structural information of anisotropic tissues in vivo. The success of this technique stems on a watchful choice of imaging parameters and post-acquisition reconstruction. In the present work, we have focused on the problem of residual linear image misalignment in the DTI data and its effects on the parameters of the diffusion tensor and fiber tracking in human brain. We demonstrate substantial sensitivity of the reconstructed diffusion tensor and fiber tractography on increasing amplitude of artificially induced random image misalignment in the DTI. We show that already a submillimeter image misalignment in the DTI is an important source of error, which may potentially mask pathological presentations of the diseases and may partially explain variations in the results obtained from the DTI. Finally, we evaluated four implementations of image registrations and demonstrate their variable performance. This further supports the fact that a robust image registration must be performed to ensure reliable and reproducible diffusion tensor mapping and reconstruction of white matter (WM) fibers.     

基于深度神经网络的时空编码磁共振成像超分辨率重建方法

单扫描时空编码磁共振成像是一种新型超快速磁共振成像技术,它对磁场不均匀和化学位移伪影有较强的抵抗性,但是其固有的空间分辨率较低,因此通常需要进行超分辨率重建,以在不增加采样点数的情况下提高时空编码磁共振图像的空间分辨率.然而,现有的重建方法存在迭代求解时间长、重建结果有混叠伪影残留等问题.为此,本文提出了一种基于深度神经网络的单扫描时空编码磁共振成像超分辨率重建方法.该方法采用模拟样本训练深度神经网络,再利用训练好的网络模型对实际采样信号进行重建.数值模拟、水模和活体鼠脑的实验结果表明,该方法能快速重建出无残留混叠伪影、纹理信息清楚的超分辨率时空编码磁共振图像.适当增加训练样本数量以及在训练样本中加入适当的随机噪声水平,有助于改善重建效果.     

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.     

融合结构先验信息的稳态扩散光学断层成像重建算法研究

扩散光学断层成像作为一种无辐射损伤、低成本的光学在体成像技术,有着良好的应用前景,但具有空间分辨率低、难以定量的缺陷.为了提高扩散光学断层成像的分辨率,实现光学参数分布的精确重建,基于有限元方法,提出了融合结构先验信息的稳态扩散光学断层成像重建算法.该算法以扩散近似作为成像模型,通过软先验的Laplace 正则化方法引入由MicroCT提供的空间结构信息.采用伴随法计算Jacobian矩阵,Levenberg-Marquardt方法用来进行迭代优化.仿真结果表明该算法不仅能获得精确的光学参数值分布,而且显著地提高了迭代收敛的速度.     

Correlation imaging with arbitrary sampling trajectories

The presented work aims to develop a generalized linear approach to image reconstruction with arbitrary sampling trajectories for high-speed MRI. This approach is based on a previously developed image reconstruction framework, “correlation imaging”. In the presented work, correlation imaging with arbitrary sampling trajectories is implemented in a multi-dimensional hybrid space that is formed from the physical sampling space and a virtually defined space. By introducing an undersampling trajectory with both uniformity and randomness in the hybrid space, correlation imaging may take advantage of multiple image reconstruction mechanisms including coil sensitivity encoding, data sparsity and information sharing. This hybrid-space implementation is demonstrated in multi-slice 2D imaging, multi-scan imaging, and radial dynamic imaging. Since more information is used in image reconstruction, it is found that hybrid-space correlation imaging outperforms several conventional techniques. The presented approach will benefit clinical MRI by enabling correlation imaging to be used to accelerate multi-scan clinical protocols that need different sampling trajectories in different scans.     

Laminar optical tomography: demonstration of millimeter-scale depth-resolved imaging in turbid media

Laminar optical tomography (LOT) is a new technique that combines the advantages of diffuse optical tomography image reconstruction and a microscopy-based setup to allow noncontact imaging with 100-200-microm resolution effective over depths of 0-2.5 mm. LOT is being developed primarily for multispectral imaging of rat cortex, for which resolving functional dynamics in various layers of the brain's cortex (to depths of 1500 microm) is of increasing interest to neurophysiologists. System design and image reconstruction techniques are described, along with simulation and phantom results that demonstrate the characteristics and limitations of system accuracy and resolution.     

基于对数解调的递变能量CT成像方法

复杂结构件由于有效厚度差异大和成像系统动态范围受限, 单一能量下的投影数据信息不完整, 常用CT重建算法及不完全数据重建算法无法在数据缺失严重的情况, 有效实现复杂结构件的CT重建. 为此论文提出基于对数解调的递变能量CT成像方法. 该方法在分析直接高动态CT成像所存在问题的基础上, 提出利用对数变换压缩递变能量投影序列动态范围, 并利用现有的基于图像灰度一致性的融合方法, 计算融合加权系数, 再经常规重建算法实现复杂构件的CT成像. 论文并以某复杂仪表为对象, 进行实验, 相比传统的固定能量成像方式, CT信息完整, 质量高. 从而说明论文所提出的方法, 能够实现CT系统动态范围的扩展, 实现复杂结构件的高动态CT成像.     

Application of acoustic reflection tomography to sonar imaging

Computer-aided tomography is a technique for providing a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional object through the digital processing of many one-dimensional views (or projections) taken at different look directions. In acoustic reflection tomography, insonifying the object and then recording the backscattered signal provides the projection information for a given look direction (or aspect angle). Processing the projection information for all possible aspect angles enables an image to be reconstructed that represents the two-dimensional spatial distribution of the object's acoustic reflectivity function when projected on the imaging plane. The shape of an idealized object, which is an elliptical cylinder, is reconstructed by applying standard backprojection, Radon transform inversion (using both convolution and filtered backprojections), and direct Fourier inversion to simulated projection data. The relative merits of the various reconstruction algorithms are assessed and the resulting shape estimates compared. For bandpass sonar data, however, the wave number components of the acoustic reflectivity function that are outside the passband are absent. This leads to the consideration of image reconstruction for bandpass data. Tomographic image reconstruction is applied to real data collected with an ultra-wideband sonar transducer to form high-resolution acoustic images of various underwater objects when the sonar and object are widely separated.     

面向近红外脑功能成像的光学自导引漫射光断层成像方法

为降低近红外脑功能漫射光断层成像(DOT)固有的逆问题病态性,并避免多模态方法的图像配准等问题,提出了基于光学自导引提供先验功能信息的脑功能DOT方法(OT-DOT),并发展了图像重构方法.模拟验证表明:上皮厚度(TLT)已知时,OT-DOT获得的重构量化度(QR)约为传统DOT的4.2倍;当TLT的估计误差小于±10%时,OT-DOT重构的QR值可达92%以上,远远优于传统DOT;噪声鲁棒性测试表明,OT-DOT与传统DOT的噪声鲁棒性相近.利用连续光DOT测量系统的仿体实验重构结果表明,所发展的OT-DOT算法获得的重构结果优于传统DOT算法.     

Visualized numerical assessment for near infrared diffuse optical tomography with contrast-and-size detail analysis

The purpose of this study is to propose an objective contrast-and-size detail (CSD) analysis for near infrared diffuse optical tomography (NIR DOT), of which the concept is derived from the subjective contrast detail (CD) analysis. We define a measure for numerical CSD analysis based on the resolution estimation of contrast and size. Following that, the contrast-and-size map of resolution can be calculated and displayed for each corresponding image in the map; furthermore, a CSD resolution curve can be plotted by calculating the average value of the projection corresponding to the physical quantity/axis (size or contrast). To provide some worked examples about the proposed CSD analysis evaluating the imaging performance of different reconstruction methods, Tikhonov regularization and edge-preserving regularization with different weighting functions were employed. Results suggested that using edge-preserving regularization with the generalized Lorentzian weighting function is the most attractive for the estimation of absorption-coefficient images.     

Evaluation of imaging protocol for ECT based on CS image reconstruction algorithm

Single-photon emission computerized tomography and positron emission tomography are essential medical imaging tools, for which the sampling angle number and scan time should be carefully chosen to give a good compromise between image quality and radiopharmaceutical dose. In this study, the image quality of different acquisition protocols was evaluated via varied angle number and count number per angle with Monte Carlo simulation data. It was shown that, when similar imaging counts were used, the factor of acquisition counts was more important than that of the sampling number in emission computerized tomography. To further reduce the activity requirement and the scan duration, an iterative image reconstruction algorithm for limited-view and low-dose tomography based on compressed sensing theory has been developed. The total variation regulation was added to the reconstruction process to improve the signal to noise Ratio and reduce artifacts caused by the limited angle sampling. Maximization of the maximum likelihood of the estimated image and the measured data and minimization of the total variation of the image are alternatively implemented. By using this advanced algorithm, the reconstruction process is able to achieve image quality matching or exceed that of normal scans with only half of the injection radiopharmaceutical dose.     

Two-dimensional optical tomography of hemodynamic changes in a preterm infant brain

Our preliminary results on two-dimensional (2D) optical tomographic imaging of hemodynamic changes in a preterm infant brain are reported. We use the established 16-channel time-correlated single photon counting system for the detection and generalized pulse spectrum technique based algorithm for the image reconstruction. The experiments demonstrate that diffuse optical tomography may be a potent means for investigating brain functions and neural development of infant brains in the perinatal period.     

Dynamic MR imaging of brain tumors in low field using undersampled projection reconstruction

A new application of the projection reconstruction method was developed, enabling dynamic T(1)-weighted contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance image (MRI) of brain tumors in a low-field imager. Two undersampled projection reconstruction spin echo sequences were implemented in an open low-field (0.23-T) MR imager, one with 64 and another with 42 projections in [0,pi], repetition time 150 ms, echotime 15 ms, and six slices were used in both sequences. The possibility of using these sequences to image dynamic contrast enhancement of brain tumors was studied in laboratory experiments and in two patient cases, one with fibrotic and the other with meningothelial meningioma. The laboratory experiments showed a nearly linear response in signal intensity to the concentration of gadopentetate dimeglumine in purified water up to 1.25 mM. Increasing concentrations up to 5.0 mM did not significantly affect the signal intensity, though starting from 3.0 mM concentration T(2) shortening decreased intensities slightly. The patient cases showed results consistent with an earlier study performed in a high-field imager. The results show that the studied sequences can be used to follow dynamic contrast enhancement in a low-field imager.     

Quantitative combination of volumetric MR imaging and MR spectroscopy data for the discrimination of meningiomas from metastatic brain tumors by means of pattern recognition

The analysis of information derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) has been identified as an important indicator for discriminating among different brain pathologies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of the combination of textural MRI features and MRS metabolite ratios by means of a pattern recognition system in the task of discriminating between meningiomas and metastatic brain tumors. The data set consisted of 40 brain MR image series and their corresponding spectral data obtained from patients with verified tumors. The pattern recognition system was designed employing the support vector machines classifier with radial basis function kernel; the system was evaluated using an external cross validation process to render results indicative of the generalization performance to “unknown” cases. The combination of MR textural and spectroscopic features resulted in 92.15% overall accuracy in discriminating meningiomas from metastatic brain tumors. The fusion of the information derived from MRI and MRS data might be helpful in providing clinicians a useful second opinion tool for accurate characterization of brain tumors.     

Cerebral abnormalities in Wilson''s disease as evaluated by ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging and computerized image processing

The cerebral involvement of a 13-yr-old boy with Wilson's disease was serially evaluated during the first 18 mo of D-penicillamine treatment. An ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF MRI) system, operating at 0.02 T, with computerized image processing was used. The half-yr period prior to the clinical diagnosis was set, the patient had showed poor school performance, emotional lability, deteriorating handwriting, progressively slow, gross, and fine motor functions, and a fixed rigid smile. No overt signs of liver disease were found. With D-penicillamine treatment (1–1.5 g/d) a continuous improvement was seen. The pretreatment MRI investigation showed pronounced pathological transformation in the basal ganglia. However, changes were seen also in most other parts of the brain indicating diffuse involvement. During treatment the computerized MR images became gradually more normal. The current magnetic resonance imaging system with computerized image processing is a sensitive and simple method for evaluation of subtle parenchymal changes of the brain.     

An experimental investigation on two-dimensional shape-based diffuse optical tomography

A two-dimensional （2D） shape-based approach of image reconstruction using a boundary element method is developed for diffuse optical tomography （DOT）. The experimental validation uses a four-channel time- correlated single photon counting （TCSPC） system for detection and an intensity data-type for image reconstruction. The optical and geometric parameters are simultaneously recovered using a difference imaging scheme. Results demonstrate that the proposed DOT modality is a promising methodology of in vivo reconstruction of the optical structures of tissues.     

X射线光场成像技术研究

X射线三维成像技术是目前国内外X射线成像研究领域的一个研究热点.但针对一些特殊成像目标,传统X射线计算层析(CT)成像模式易出现投影信息缺失等问题,影响CT重建的图像质量,使得CT成像的应用受到一定的限制.本文主要研究了基于光场成像理论的X射线三维立体成像技术.首先从同步辐射光源模型出发,对X射线光场成像进行建模;然后,基于光场成像数字重聚焦理论,对成像目标场在深度方向上进行切片重建.结果表明:该方法可以实现对成像目标任一视角下任一深度的内部切片重建,但是由于光学聚焦过程中的离焦现象,会引入较为严重的背景噪声.当对其原始数据进行滤波后,再进行X射线光场重聚焦,可以有效消除重建伪影,提高图像的重建质量.本研究既有算法理论意义,又可应用于工业、医疗等较复杂目标的快速检测,具有较大的应用价值.     

Real-time imaging with radial GRAPPA: Implementation on a heterogeneous architecture for low-latency reconstructions

Combination of non-Cartesian trajectories with parallel MRI permits to attain unmatched acceleration rates when compared to traditional Cartesian MRI during real-time imaging. However, computationally demanding reconstructions of such imaging techniques, such as k-space domain radial generalized auto-calibrating partially parallel acquisitions (radial GRAPPA) and image domain conjugate gradient sensitivity encoding (CG-SENSE), lead to longer reconstruction times and unacceptable latency for online real-time MRI on conventional computational hardware. Though CG-SENSE has been shown to work with low-latency using a general purpose graphics processing unit (GPU), to the best of our knowledge, no such effort has been made for radial GRAPPA. Radial GRAPPA reconstruction, which is robust even with highly undersampled acquisitions, is not iterative, requiring only significant computation during initial calibration while achieving good image quality for low-latency imaging applications. In this work, we present a very fast, low-latency, reconstruction framework based on a heterogeneous system using multi-core CPUs and GPUs. We demonstrate an implementation of radial GRAPPA that permits reconstruction times on par with or faster than acquisition of highly accelerated datasets in both cardiac and dynamic musculoskeletal imaging scenarios. Acquisition and reconstruction times are reported.     

Image-guided optical spectroscopy provides molecular-specific information in vivo: MRI-guided spectroscopy of breast cancer hemoglobin, water, and scatterer size

A multimodality instrument that integrated optical or near-infrared spectroscopy into a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) breast coil was used to perform a pilot study of image-guided spectroscopy on cancerous breast tissue. These results are believed to be the first multiwavelength spectroscopic images of breast cancer using MRI-guided constraints, and they show the cancer tumor to have high hemoglobin and water values, decreased oxygen saturation, and increased subcellular granularity. The use of frequency-domain diffuse tomography methods at many wavelengths provides the spectroscopy required for recovering maps of absorbers and scattering spectra, but the integration with MRI allows these data to be recovered on an image field that preserves high resolution and fuses the two data sets together. Integration of molecular spectroscopy into standard clinical MRI can be achieved with this approach to spectral tomography.     

基于时间分辨测量的近红外光三维层析成像研究

针对近红外漫射光层析成像中的三维成像问题展开了理论和实验研究.利用开发的以强度和平均飞行时间作为数据类型的三维重建算法对数值仿真模型进行了重建,同时采用多通道时间相关单光子计数层析成像系统对固体样品进行了三维成像.结果表明：所发展的算法较忠实地重建出了样品内部的异质体结构;采用的差分重建方法有利于提高重建的抗噪性能;提出的单层测头配置模式对于三维成像具有实际意义.