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Biomedical subjects

S J Riederer

Publications and source records attributed to S J Riederer.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Intravenous arteriography using digital subtraction techniques.

The application of digital computers to electronic x-ray imaging devices has rejuvenated interest in the field of intravenous arteriography. By utilizing computer image subtraction techniques, digital roentgenographic systems based on fluoroscopy or computed tomography (scanned projection radiography) provide significantly improved vascular imaging compared with conventional film subtraction methods. Digital subtraction angiography schemes isolate contrast media in the vessel by detecting differences in images obtained before and after the injection of contrast medium or changes in the relative attenuation of contrast media at different x-ray energies. Present applications include carotid and peripheral arteriography, thoracic and abdominal aortography, pulmonary arteriography, and ventriculography. Future applications may include intracerebral and coronary arteriography. These systems should provide low-risk outpatient screening arteriography.

Angiography↗

A hybrid computerized fluoroscopy technique for noninvasive cardiovascular imaging.

The excellent linearity of digital image storage and retrieval permits hybrid analog-digital subtraction to extend the spatial resolution of two previously developed algorithms which employed entirely digital apparatus. A low resolution, time-integrated preinjection digital mask image is reconverted to analog form and subtracted from live analog video images of iodine administered by peripheral intravenous injection to produce a high resolution display of the cardiovascular system with contrast ten times greater than conventional fluoroscopy. Preliminary studies in dogs are compared with images obtained with our digital subtraction algorithms.

Animals↗

The noise power spectrum in computed X-ray tomography.

An expression is derived showing that the two-dimensional noise power spectrum of computed X-ray tomography is proportional to [G(k)]2/k where k is the radial spatial frequency and G(k) is the one-dimensional corrective filter used in the filtered back-projection reconstuction technique. It is shown that predicted noise power spectra compare well with those estimated from CT reconstructions of simulated noise for both the ramp filter and the Hanning-weighted ramp filter. A consequence of the non-uniform shape of the noise power spectrum is that statistical noise in CT reconstructions is correlated from point to point. Because of this correlation when the reconstructed CT values are averaged over some region, the uncertainty of the average depends on the shape of the region as well as its area. This dependence is confirmed by computer simulations.

Filtration↗

Noise due to photon counting statistics in computed X-ray tomography.

A general expression is derived for the noise due to photon counting statistics in computed X-ray tomography. The variance is inversely proportional to the cube of the resolution distance. For scanners using a water box, the noise in the reconstructed image depends inversely on the number of detected primary photons, summed over all angles, that have passed through a resolution element. Predictions of this formula agree well with the results of computer simulations. It is shown how this formula can be used to determine such parameters as required X-ray flux, detector counting rate, and dose, with special emphasis on tradeoffs between these parameters and resolution. It is also shown that to determine the X-ray attenuation coefficient of a resolution element to a given precision, the number of photons required by computed X-ray tomography is close to a theoretical limit.

Elementary Particles↗

Digital K-edge subtraction radiography.

K-edge subtraction images have been produced using a digital video image processor. Images formed by three filtered x-ray beams are detected by an image intensifier-Plumbicon system, digitilized, and combined in real time to produce bone- and tissue-free K-edge subtraction images of iodinated structures. Preliminary studies of rhesus monkey cranial, spinal, and abdominal structures are compared with those of conventional radiography.

Animals↗

Tracking motion with tagged rapid gradient-echo magnetization-prepared MR imaging.

A technique for rapid assessment of tissue motion was developed by combining spatially selective radio-frequency tagging pulses with centric phase-encoding view ordering in a T1-weighted, magnetization-prepared gradient-echo acquisition sequence. This sequence allowed labeling and tracking of tissue motion with single-image acquisition times of less than 3 seconds. Multiple tagged bands 3mm thick were superimposed orthogonal to the imaging plane. Motion in the interval between tagging and the start of image acquisition could then be precisely determined. The technique was evaluated with phantom studies and then applied to human volunteers for assessment of skeletal muscle motion, phonation, and pelvic floor motion.

Humans↗

Analysis of flow effects in echo-planar imaging.

The effects on the phase of spins moving during echo-planar imaging (EPI) acquisition were studied. Standard single-shot and interleaved multishot blipped EPI acquisitions were considered, assuming either high gradient strength and slew rates or standard gradient strength and slew rates. A spiral k-space trajectory was also considered. Flow components in the section-select and phase- and frequency-encoding directions were analyzed separately. While the effect of flow in the section-select direction is identical to that in a standard two-dimensional Fourier transform (2DFT) acquisition, flow in the phase- or frequency-encoding directions can have substantial effects on the image, different from that in 2DFT imaging. The magnitude of these effects, which include displacement, distortion, and/or ghosting of vascular structures, is analyzed and predicted for a given velocity and direction of flow, the specific acquisition sequence, and the strength and slew rate of the gradients. For example, 50-cm/sec flow along the phase-encoding direction can cause a blurring of 1.25 cm full width at half maximum for blipped EPI with high-strength gradients, assuming a 40-cm field of view and 64 x 64 matrix.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging↗

Centric phase-encoding order in three-dimensional MP-RAGE sequences: application to abdominal imaging.

Three-dimensional (3D) magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo imaging has been proposed as a method for improving signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and contrast-to-noise ratio (C/N) in rapid abdominal imaging. Originally, a standard sequential phase-encoding order was proposed. In the present study, two approaches to a 3D centric phase-encoding order are presented: (a) application of the two-dimensional (2D) centric order to one of the 3D encoding directions, and (b) an interleaved square spiral order, which is the segmented 3D analog of the 2D centric order. With use of simulation, phantom, and volunteer results, the proposed 3D centric methods are compared in terms of S/N, C/N, and artifacts to the 3D sequential method and 2D magnetization-prepared methods. The second centric approach was found to be superior to the first; however, in general, the 3D technique was found to be inferior to the 2D technique for abdominal imaging because of motion artifact in the 3D image set caused by misregistration among the multiple breath holds required.

Abdomen↗

Magnetization-prepared MR angiography with fat suppression and venous saturation.

Magnetization-prepared magnetic resonance (MR) angiography (MPMRA) is an inflow-based two-dimensional (2D) imaging sequence in which a preparation phase precedes rapid image acquisition. For maximal blood/tissue contrast, an inversion-recovery preparation nulls signal from static tissue. If needed, a second inversion suppresses signal from fat. Fully magnetized blood flows in after the inversion pulse(s), providing high signal intensity. The centric phase-encoding order, which ensures that the initial contrast is reflected in the image set, requires the use of a modified venous saturation technique. The sequence is described and its performance assessed with regard to (a) depiction of in-plane flow, (b) fat suppression, and (c) venous saturation. Phantom and volunteer studies showed good performance in all three areas. MPMRA images, acquired in just 2-4 seconds per image, had a blood/tissue contrast-to-noise ratio nearly twice that of standard 2D time-of-flight MR angiograms, acquired in 5-7 seconds. The technique is promising for restless patients and in anatomic areas plagued by motion degradation.

Adipose Tissue↗

Altered phase-encoding order for reduced sensitivity to motion in three-dimensional MR imaging.

A method of reordering phase and slab encoding that can be used to address some of the inherent problems due to motion in three dimensional imaging is described and implemented. The method is shown to be more robust with respect to reducing artifacts resulting from several fundamental types of motion. It can be readily implemented on a standard magnetic resonance imager with essentially no increase in total imaging time. Results of simulations and phantom and in vivo experiments are presented.

Artifacts↗

Analysis of MR phase-contrast measurements of pulsatile velocity waveforms.

Errors in the measurement of the mean velocity of pulsatile velocity waveforms with ungated phase-contrast techniques were studied theoretically and experimentally. Waveforms consisting of a constant and two sinusoidal components were analyzed. Variations in magnitude and phase of the vascular magnetic resonance (MR) signal resulted in errors, the severity of which increased when either factor increased. Magnitude variations always resulted in overestimation. The general shape of the waveform greatly influenced the error, with certain waveforms producing greater inherent error than others. Experimental measurements were performed, validating the predicted sensitivity of these errors to changes in imaging parameters, including TR and flow-encoding sensitivity. Errors generally became more severe with increased flow-encoding sensitivity. The theoretical and experimental results suggest that accurate mean velocity measurements in many vessels of the body--with acquisition times of less than 15 seconds--should be attainable with ungated imaging techniques and with careful selection of relevant imaging parameters.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

The future technical development of MRI.

In this essay the author makes predictions on how the future of MRI will develop for the short term, the intermediate term, and the long term; these periods of time are defined as the present to the next 3 years, 3 to 5 years, and beyond 5 years, respectively. For each time period, general scientific trends and specific applications are presented. Despite about 15 years of extensive scientific research and significant application to clinical imaging, there continue to be many opportunities for additional technical development in MRI as its role in clinical use and the extent of its scientific significance expand.

Forecasting↗

T1-weighted MR imaging of the brain using a fast inversion recovery pulse sequence.

The purpose of this paper was to develop and evaluate a fast inversion recovery (FIR) technique for T1-weighted MR imaging of contrast-enhancing brain pathology. The FIR technique was developed, capable of imaging 24 sections in approximately 7 minutes using two echoes per repetition and an alternating echo phase encoding assignment. Resulting images were compared with conventional T1-weighted spin echo (T1SE) images in 18 consecutive patients. Compared with corresponding T1SE images, FIR images were quantitatively comparable or superior for lesion-to-background contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Gray-to-white matter and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-to-white matter contrast and CNR were statistically superior in FIR images. Qualitatively, the FIR technique provided comparable lesion detection, improved lesion conspicuity, and superior image contrast compared with T1SE images. Although FIR images had greater amounts of image artifacts, there was not a statistically increased amount of interpretation-interfering image artifact. FIR provides T1-weighted images that are superior to T1SE images for a number of image quality criteria.

Artifacts↗

Recent technical advances in MR imaging of the abdomen.

MRI of the abdomen has been under development for well over a decade. In the past, considerable work was directed toward identification and suppression of the artifacts caused by motion. However, within the last several years, image quality has further improved, particularly as various fast-scan techniques have been adapted for abdominal imaging. The purpose of this work is to review these technical developments. Specific methods include adaptation of the acquisition time to breath-holding, acquisition over multiple respiratory cycles, adjustment of the contrast of various sequences, and development of more sensitive receiver coils and faster gradient systems. Opportunities for future development are also identified, including improved slice sampling, increased in-plane spatial resolution, real-time means for monitoring respiration, and expanded applications. As these technical advances are implemented, it is expected that the overall sensitivity and specificity of abdominal MRI will further improve.

Abdomen↗