A Framework for Flexible Comparison and Optimization of X-ray Digital Tomosynthesis
[Thesis]
Smith, Frank A., Jr.
Chen, Ying
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
2019
136
Ph.D.
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
2019
Digital tomosynthesis is a novel three-dimensional imaging technology that utilizes limited number of X-ray projection images to improve the diagnosis and detection of lesions. In recent years, tomosynthesis has been used in a variety of clinical applications such as dental imaging, angiography, chest imaging, bone imaging, and breast imaging. The goal of our research is to develop a framework to enable flexible optimization and comparison of image reconstruction and imaging configurations. We developed a software framework for simulation comparison and optimization of imaging configurations that allows flexibility of X-ray parameters, detector parameters, imaging configurations, and reconstruction algorithms. Maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) algorithm is investigated for various imaging configurations based on multi-beam stationary breast tomosynthesis imaging parameters. Experiments based on different image configurations shows that our simulation combined with the MLEM algorithm can provide three-dimensional information with good image quality and has great potential to improve digital breast tomosynthesis technology. Impulse response is used to evaluate the performance of each configuration. Conclusions were made to determine the optimal image reconstruction based on the imaging configurations and associated x-ray and detector parameters.