Integrated Tomosynthetic Perfusion and Cone-beam CT Imaging on a C-arm Gantry

描述（由申请人提供）：图像引导干预的目的是通过实时为医生提供基于图像的解剖和生理信息，提高微创手术的疗效，降低发病率。在典型的介入套件中，x射线投影图像提供图像引导。同时，通过CT/MRI套件的灌注测量获得生理信息。然而，目前没有一种灌注成像方法可以直接在介入套件中进行。在这个项目中，我们计划研究一种新型的断层合成灌注成像系统，该系统实现在c臂龙门上，从对比动力学中提取生理信息。同时，图像引导将由基于g臂的锥束CT提供，该CT采用新颖的扫描几何形状和新颖的锥束图像重建算法，具有优越的低对比度可检测性。具体目标是：(1)在c臂龙门上实现和集成断层合成成像和锥束CT成像的数据采集方案；(2)校准断层合成和锥束CT扫描几何形状；(3)开发断层合成灌注成像和锥束CT成像的新型图像重建算法；(4)开发断层合成灌注成像和锥束CT成像的新型图像校正方法；(5)利用物理幻影和小动物验证断层合成灌注成像和锥束CT成像模式。该项目的成功完成将使传统的c型臂系统升级为先进的图像引导介入平台。该平台将产生“1+1>2”的协同效应：在同一成像平台上，无需将患者从一个手术室转移到另一个成像室，即可获得解剖结构和生理灌注信息。新平台可用于干预前、干预中和干预后的计划、指导和评估干预程序。新的介入平台不仅将使研究中心的人员受益，而且还将使没有先进成像设备的医院能够进行图像引导的介入中风治疗。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of image-guided intervention is to improve the efficacy of minimally invasive procedures and reduce morbidity by providing the physician with image-based anatomical and physiological information in real time. In a typical interventional suite, X-ray projection images provide the image guidance. Meanwhile physiological information is obtained by perfusion measurements in a CT/MRI suite. However, none of the current perfusion imaging methods can be performed directly in the interventional suite. In this project, we plan to investigate a novel tomosynthetic perfusion imaging system implemented on a C-arm gantry to extract physiological information from the contrast dynamics. Meanwhile the image guidance will be provided by G-arm based cone-beam CT featuring superior low-contrast detectability using a novel scan geometry and novel cone-beam image reconstruction algorithms. The specific aims are: (1) to implement and integrate data acquisition schemes for tomosynthetic imaging and cone-beam CT imaging on a C-arm gantry, (2) to calibrate the tomosynthetic and cone-beam CT scan geometries, (3) to develop novel image reconstruction algorithms for tomosynthetic perfusion imaging and cone-beam CT imaging, (4) to develop novel image correction methods for tomosynthetic perfusion imaging and cone-beam CT imaging, and (5) to validate tomosynthetic perfusion imaging and cone-beam CT imaging modalities using both physical phantoms and small animals. The successful completion of this project will result in an upgrade of a conventional C-arm system to a cutting-edge image-guided interventional platform. This platform will generate "1+1>2" synergistic effects: both anatomical structures and physiological perfusion information will be obtainable using the same imaging platform without transfering patients from an operating room to another imaging room. The new platform may be used pre-, during, and post-intervention to plan, guide, and evaluate the interventional procedures. The new interventional platform will not only benefit those at research centers, but also will enable image-guided interventional stroke treatments for hospitals without advanced imaging facilities.