Biomedical subjects

D G Kruger

Publications and source records attributed to D G Kruger.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Interactive three-point localization of double-oblique sections using MR fluoroscopy.

Magnetic resonance imaging allows significant freedom in selecting the orientation and position of a tomographic section. However, it can nonetheless be challenging to determine quickly and efficiently the correct parameters required to image a targeted anatomic structure that may lie at an oblique angle in the imaging volume. We describe a three-point tool in which a) the user interactively selects three points from an anatomic structure of interest during live MR fluoroscopy; b) adjustments to pulse sequence are calculated to image the tomographic section defined by the three points; and c) the section is then immediately imaged fluoroscopically. The tool allows quick localization of, for example, longitudinal images of specific arterial structures.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1997

An orthogonal correlation algorithm for ghost reduction in MRI.

Ghosting in MRI due to modulation of k-space data can be caused by motion of the subject or characteristics of the sequence. A general solution for 2DFT MRI that reduces ghosting without causal modeling is presented. Separate image data sets are acquired in which the phase and frequency directions are swapped. In these two data sets, the image signal is correlated, whereas the ghost signals are not. By taking a correlation of these two data sets, an image with greatly reduced ghosting is obtained. The reduction is shown to depend both on the correct signal intensity of the image, as well as the ghost intensity in the ghosted region. The reduction approaches 100% in regions of low image signal, and is more moderate in regions of higher image signal. The process was applied to conventional spin-echo, fast-spin-echo, and gradient echo imaging of volunteers and a phantom. Results of a reader study of the volunteer images reflected a significant overall reduction of ghosting artifacts in all volunteer experiments.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1996

Imaging characteristics of x-ray capillary optics in digital mammography.

Computed radiography (CR) has shown promise in digital mammographic screening due to its good low spatial frequency MTF and its relatively wide exposure latitude. The CR image format has not gained acceptance clinically because of reduced high spatial frequency resolution as compared to film-screen images. X-ray capillary optics, aligned between the breast and CR phosphor imaging plate, will capture primary x-ray photons almost exclusively. Due to the very small angle of acceptance, scattered photons angled more than about 1.6 x 10(-3) radians from primary trajectory will not be accepted at the capillary optic entrance. The virtual elimination of detected scatter means almost 100% of the possible primary contrast should be visible in the image. In addition, the image can be magnified without focal spot blurring. Effective resolution of CR images can be increased by a factor equal to that magnification. Clinical implementation of future capillary optics are expected to be either in the form of a large, stationary, post-patient optic that accepts primary from the entire breast or a fan-shaped optic that is scanned across the breast. Measurements of a test capillary optic showed a reduction of scatter fraction to 0.018. Images of a lucite contrast detail phantom revealed a corresponding increase in image contrast when compared to anti-scatter grid and no grid methods. Spectral transmission measurements using a high-purity germanium detector showed good primary transmission (45%-50%) in the mammographic energy range. The MTF measurements of both stationary and scanned capillary optics showed improvement at the 5% MTF level to 8.4 mm-1 for scanned optics and 9.2 mm-1 for stationary optics representing a 68% and 84% respective increase over the CR MTF without magnification or capillary optics.

Capillary Action↗

PubMed1995

Calculations of x-ray and neutron transmission through multirod arrays.

Multirod arrays can be used to produce irregularly shaped irradiation fields for use in external beam photon and neutron radiation therapy. Two prototype multirod collimators have been built for use with high energy photon beams. A practical multirod collimator is in routine use with the fast neutron beam at a superconducting cyclotron based neutron therapy facility. A simple computer program has been written for calculating the transmission of photon and neutron beams through multirod arrays. The results of calculations for both close packed and spaced rod arrays are presented, and compared with available photon and neutron transmission data. The transmission through a regularly packed array exhibits a pattern of maxima and minima which occur with a spacing corresponding to the rod radius. The program predicts the positions and magnitudes of the transmission peaks. The rod diameter and spacing, the source size, and the position of the multirod collimator and the measurement plane relative to the source, all effect the exact nature of the measured transmission pattern. The transmission of 15-MV photons through close packed and spaced rod arrays was calculated using the program and compared with measurements made in a close packed tungsten rod array and with a prototype multirod collimator. Calculations for the transmission of a p(42)-Be neutron beam through a close packed tungsten rod array were compared with previously published data. Good agreement between calculations and measured data was obtained in all cases. The program was used to design a practical multirod collimator for a d(50)- Be fast neutron beam.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cyclotrons↗

PubMed1995

Measurements of capillary x-ray optics with potential for use in mammographic imaging.

Capillary optic arrays are bundles of hollow glass capillaries which guide x rays in a manner similar to the way fiber optics guide light. Focused postpatient capillary optic arrays have the potential to significantly improve both contrast and resolution of mammographic images compared to conventional antiscatter grids. Contrast can be improved by the nearly total scatter rejection of the optic. Effective resolution can be improved by geometric magnification without increased focal spot blurring. The best results were found for borosilicate glasses, with transmissions in excess of 60% for 22-cm-long fibers. To evaluate the scatter rejection properties, the transmission of off-axis radiation was measured. Transmission drops to < 1% at an angular displacement of 2.7 mrad. Transmission of a bulk capillary array dropped to near zero if the source was at an angle of 2.5 mrad. This implies excellent scatter rejection capabilities. To evaluate whether unchanneled photons might still reach the detector, absorption measurements were also performed on fibers and arrays. Absorption was found to be adequate for scatter rejection. All of the data agreed well with numerical simulations. Performance calculations for two potential optics geometries gave promising results.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

PubMed1994

A regional convolution kernel algorithm for scatter correction in dual-energy images: comparison to single-kernel algorithms.

Single kernel scatter correction algorithms are based on the model that the scatter field can be predicted by convolution of the primary intensity (Iprim) with a spatially invariant scatter point-spread function (PSF). Practical limitations (Iprim unknown) suggest the substitution of the total detected intensity (Idet) for Iprim as the source image in the convolution. In regions of high scatter fraction (SF), Idet is a poor approximation of Iprim, thereby causing an overestimation of scatter originating in the region. This contributes to errors in estimating detected scatter in the mediastinum and neighboring regions. A technique using a regionally variable point-spread function that significantly reduces RMS error in estimation of the primary image as compared to the single PSF method is investigated. The regionally variable convolution method employs a larger PSF in the mediastinum and a smaller PSF in the lungs to reduce the error in estimating the scatter throughout the image. The method to allow for patient differences has also been expanded and various implementations of these methods have been compared. Results show that the dual-kernel algorithm is always more effective than an equivalent single-kernel algorithm. The dual-kernel algorithm using a predicted scatter fraction curve gives an overall RMS error in the primary of as low as 20.8% which is equivalent to 8.7% RMS error in the scatter. The dual-kernel method using a predicted scatter fraction curve approaches the accuracy of the single-kernel method using patient specific scatter measurements. Because using individual scatter measurements is a less desirable method for clinical use, we feel that the dual-kernel algorithm which uses two regions specific convolution kernels and a variable scatter fraction curve is the preferable method.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1994

Conventional chest radiography vs dual-energy computed radiography in the detection and characterization of pulmonary nodules.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated a single-exposure, phosphor-plate, dual-energy imaging device that produces, in addition to conventional chest radiographs, both tissue- and bone-selective images. Our purpose was to determine whether dual-energy radiography was more accurate than routine chest radiography for detection and characterization of pulmonary nodules. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients undergoing chest CT were asked to volunteer to have dual-energy and conventional chest radiographs obtained immediately before or after their CT scan. Radiographs from a subset of 50 of these patients with 116 CT-detected nodules and 10 patients with normal findings on CT scans of the chest were presented to the observers for the nodule detection study. Similarly, radiographs from a subset of 29 patients with 20 calcified and 20 uncalcified nodules were presented to five observers to determine nodule calcification. Dual-energy images were produced by filtering the X-ray tube output with a gadolinium sheet while using a multiple phosphor plate receptor. A dual-energy triad of images consisting of a conventional image, a tissue-selective image, and a bone-selective image were produced. The conventional chest radiographs and dual-energy image sets were presented to observers in random order. Data from a free response receiver operating curve and a receiver operating curve were generated for nodule detection and characterization, respectively. RESULTS: By using the dual-energy images, all five observers improved their ability to diagnose pulmonary nodules (p = .0005) and to characterize nodules as calcified (p = .005). CONCLUSION: By eliminating rib shadows with tissue-selective images and enhancing calcified structures with bone-selective images, dual-energy chest radiography improved the ability of all observers, regardless of expertise, to detect and characterize pulmonary nodules.

False Positive Reactions↗