A Feasibility Study of Low-Dose Single-Scan Dual-Energy Cone-Beam CT in Many-View Under-Sampling Framework.

A single-scan dual-energy low-dose cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging technique that exploits a multi-slit filter is proposed in this paper. The multi-slit filter installed between the x-ray source and the scanned object is reciprocated during a scan. The x-ray beams through the slits would generate relatively low-energy x-ray projection data, while the filtered beams would make high-energy projection data.

Sparse-view proton computed tomography using modulated proton beams.

Purpose: Proton imaging that uses a modulated proton beam and an intensity detector allows a relatively fast image acquisition compared to the imaging approach based on a trajectory tracking detector. In addition, it requires a relatively simple implementation in a conventional proton therapy equipment. The model of geometric straight ray assumed in conventional computed tomography (CT) image reconstruction is however challenged by multiple-Coulomb scattering and energy straggling in the proton imaging.

Improving image accuracy of region-of-interest in cone-beam CT using prior image.

In diagnostic follow-ups of diseases, such as calcium scoring in kidney or fat content assessment in liver using repeated CT scans, quantitatively accurate and consistent CT values are desirable at a low cost of radiation dose to the patient. Region of-interest (ROI) imaging technique is considered a reasonable dose reduction method in CT scans for its shielding geometry outside the ROI. However, image artifacts in the reconstructed images caused by missing data outside the ROI may degrade overall image quality and, more importantly, can decrease image accuracy of the ROI substantially.

Proton-radiography-based quality assurance of proton range compensator.

The aim of this work was to study the feasibility of proton radiography (pRad) as a patient-specific range compensator (RC) quality assurance (QA) tool and to validate its clinical utility by performing QA on RCs having three kinds of possible defects. In order to achieve pRad for a single EBT film, proton beam currents were modulated with new weighting factors, maximizing the linearity of optical-density-to-thickness ratio. Two RCs, examined to be accurately manufactured as planned, were selected to estimate the feasibility of our pRad.