University of California

Jianwei Miao

Benjamin Pooya Fahimian

Yu Mao

A system and method for projection number and radiation dose reduction in tomographic imaging that creates a three dimensional cross sectional image of an object by the reconstruction of its projections. Images of a superior quality can be obtained with a fewer number projections than seen with conventional methods by reconstruction of projections that have been pre-processed and preferably placed in the Fourier domain with a Fractional Fourier Transform (FrFT) or forward Pseudo-polar Fast Fourier transform (PPFFT). The projections are iteratively refined through formulation of a constrained optimization problem with constraints in object space and Fourier space preferably solved with a gradient descent algorithm incorporating a Bregman iterative regularization or a continuative regularization. By using an exact Fourier-based iterative algorithm as well as physical and mathematical constraints, convergence to a lowest-possible noise state that is also strictly consistent with the measured data can be obtained.

System and methods for fast implementation of equally-sloped tomography

Image reconstruction methods are described where the characteristics of the surroundings of the patient in the scanner image field are used as supplemental information in the reconstruction process to reduce the dose, reduce scan times, scan number and/or improve the image quality of the reconstructed image.

Dose reduction and image enhancement in tomography through the utilization of the object's surroundings as dynamic constraints

A system and method for creating a three dimensional cross sectional image of an object by the reconstruction of its projections that have been iteratively refined through mathematical transformations and modifications in object space and Fourier space is disclosed. A primary benefit of the method is radiation dose reduction since the invention can produce an image of a desired quality with a fewer number projections than seen with conventional methods.

Incorporation of mathematical constraints in methods for dose reduction and image enhancement in tomography

A system and method for creating a three dimensional cross sectional image of an object by the reconstruction of its projections that have been iteratively refined through modification in object space and Fourier space is disclosed. The invention provides systems and methods for use with any tomographic imaging system that reconstructs an object from its projections. In one embodiment, the invention presents a method to eliminate interpolations present in conventional tomography. The method has been experimentally shown to provide higher resolution and improved image quality parameters over existing approaches. A primary benefit of the method is radiation dose reduction since the invention can produce an image of a desired quality with a fewer number projections than seen with conventional methods.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Jianwei Miao