Tomography Research Articles

Optimization on artifacts in photoacoustic images based on spectrum analyses and signal extraction.

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is a promising technology for functional imaging of biological tissues, offering optical contrast and acoustic penetration depth. However, the presence of signal aliasing from multiple PA sources within the same imaging object can introduce artifacts and significantly impact the quality of the PA tomographic images. In this study, an optimized method is proposed to suppress these artifacts and enhance image quality effectively. By leveraging signal time-frequency spectrum, signals from each PA source can be extracted. Subsequently, the images are reconstructed using these extracted signals and fused together to obtain an optimized image. To verify this proposed method, PA imaging experiments were conducted on two phantoms and two in vitro samples and the distribution relative error and root mean square error of the images obtained through conventional and optimized methods were calculated. The results demonstrate that the proposed method successfully suppresses the artifacts and substantially improves the image quality.

Arch Bare Metal Stent Grafting in Type I Aortic Dissections After Hemiarch Repair

BackgroundDeBakey type I aortic dissections (AD) are most frequently treated with hemiarch repair. A subset of patients demonstrates persistent distal end-organ ischemia secondary to persistent true lumen (TL) compression. We describe the use of bare metal stent grafting across the residual arch dissection with the Zenith Dissection Endovascular Stent (ZDES, Cook Medical) in 7 patients with type I AD that was repaired in a hemiarch configuration with a compromised distal TL and organ malperfusion. MethodsSeven patients underwent ZDES placement from a hemiarch repair across the arch with extension to the aortic bifurcation in the acute and subacute phases. Pressure gradients between the ascending aorta and the femoral access were recorded. Preprocedure and postprocedure computed tomographic images were analyzed using centerline reconstruction. TL and false lumen areas were calculated on the basis of manually performed measurements on 8 points along the aorta. ResultsAll 7 cases were technically successful, without evidence of perioperative stroke or intraoperative death. There was a statistically significant increase in median TL area at all locations except 1 cm above the aortic bifurcation (P <.05). Pressure gradients between the ascending aorta and the femoral access in measured cases improved after stenting. ConclusionsBare metal stenting across the aortic arch after hemiarch repair in the setting of persistent distal TL compression is a technically viable strategy and may promote long-term aortic remodeling. This treatment strategy may represent another option for treatment of type I AD in patients presenting with distal malperfusion.

Socket Preservation Using Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Free Gingival Grafts

The present randomised controlled trial is based on the null hypothesis that there is no difference in crestal bone levels (CBLs) following socket preservation (SP) using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and free gingival graft (FGG). The aim was to evaluate CBLs following SP using PRF and FGG. This study is a parallel-arm randomised controlled trial. Patients in the test and control groups underwent SP using PRF and FGG, respectively. Intraoral visual examination was performed to clinically assess signs of swelling, pus/abscess, and stability of sutures and graft. Self-rated postoperative pain was assessed after 1 week and 6 months using the visual analogue scale (VAS). At the 6-month follow-up, cone-beam computed tomography was performed to evaluate CBL in mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions. The preoperative cone-beam computed tomographic images were superimposed with those taken at the 6-month follow-up to compare CBLs. Statistical comparisons were performed and level of significance was set at P < .05. The test and control groups each comprised 13 individuals with comparable ages. All teeth included in the test and control groups were located in the maxillary aesthetic zone. At the 1-week follow-up, VAS scores were higher in the control than in the test group (P < .01). At the 6-month follow-up, none of the participants reported self-rated pain. The change in buccolingual dimension was greater in the control group than in the test group (P < .05). Both FGG and PRF are effective techniques for SP; however, the latter technique is more effcacious in maintaining buccolingual dimensions of the extraction socket.

Embossed x-ray computed tomography utilizing pixel-shifted dual-energy subtraction.

To observe fine blood vessels as uneven tomographic images at a high contrast, we performed tentative experiments on embossed x-ray computed tomography (CT). We constructed a cone-beam CT scanner and carried out dual-energy CT with tube voltages of 60 and 100kV. X-ray photons penetrating through an object were detected using an indirect-conversion flat panel detector, and radiograms were produced and sent to a personal computer to reconstruct tomograms. Embossed CT was performed using pixel-shifted dual-energy subtraction, and blood vessels filled with Gd medium were observed as uneven images at high contrast and spatial resolutions. Using 1.4-time magnification imaging in combination with a 0.1-mm-focus x-ray tube, the diameter of the object visible on the embossed CT was below 100 μm.

Assessment of the Possibilities of Ultrasound Tomographic Imaging of Multi-Layer Composite Materials

Assessment of the Possibilities of Ultrasound Tomographic Imaging of Multi-Layer Composite Materials

A self-sensing Al/aramid hybrid laminate for detection of MMOD collision with electrical resistance tomography

Aiming at the micrometeoroid/orbital debris (MMOD) collision problem for space structures, this paper proposes a self-sensing aluminum/aramid hybrid laminate for detection of MMOD collision event and identification of its associated damage. A co-curing method is used to fabricate the hybrid laminate while carbon nanotube (CNT) film and flexible printed circuit (FPC) are embedded in the laminate as sensing layer. By injecting tiny currents into the CNT film before and after MMOD collision and collecting the corresponding boundary voltages, electrical resistance tomography (ERT) is employed to reconstruct tomographic image of the conductivity change caused by MMOD collision and provide information about the damage. Experimental studies have conducted to perform ballistic high velocity impacts to simulate MMOD collision to three self-sensing hybrid laminates. The results have demonstrated that, the CNT film has good sensing performance, and the reconstructed image of conductivity changes can reflect the location and approximate size of the damage, validating the effectiveness of the proposed self-sensing hybrid laminate and providing a new way for space structures to detect MMOD collisions.

The latest IC3D classification of corneal dystrophies-Overview and changes of the 3rd edition

The International Committee on Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) was founded in 2005 to address difficulties arising from the outdated nomenclature for corneal dystrophies (CD) and to correct misconceptions in the literature. For each of the 22CDs, aseparate template was created to represent the current clinical, pathological and genetic knowledge of the disease. In addition, each template contains representative clinical photographs as well as light and electron microscopic images and, if available, confocal microscopic and coherence tomographic images of the respective CD. After the first edition was published in 2008, the revised version followed in 2015. The third edition of the IC3D was published as open access in February 2024. The latest edition is intended to serve as areference work in everyday clinical practice and facilitate the diagnosis of CD, which might sometimes be difficult. This article provides an overview of the diagnostic and treatment principles of CD and presents the IC3D and its changes over time.

Supercomputer Simulations in Designing Medical Ultrasound Tomographic Imaging Devices

Supercomputer Simulations in Designing Medical Ultrasound Tomographic Imaging Devices

Deep learning and integrated approach to reconstruct meshes from tomograms of 3D braided composites

The meticulous reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) braided composite materials serves as a crucial foundation for achieving high-fidelity simulations. Nonetheless, the transition from tomographic images to a 3D mesh entails a laborious and time-intensive process. To address this, an integrated procedure based on artificial intelligence is proposed for reconstructing meshes from tomograms. The initial stage of the process involves employing artificial intelligence techniques to segment complex contours and optimize high-dimensional contours. This facilitates the input of high-quality images needed to reconstruct accurate digital twins with strong convergence. The subsequent reconstruction phase integrates various calculations, including shape interpolation, contour extraction, 3D surface reconstruction, 3D mesh reconstruction, and element data interpolation. During this process, optimization objectives are set to minimize the deviation between the digital twin's surface and the actual surface, as well as to optimize the aspect ratio of the element mesh. Upon completion of the aforementioned steps, high-quality input files suitable for finite element calculations are directly generated. Ultimately, the proposed method utilizes the reconstructed finite element model for mechanical analysis, and the results are found to be in good agreement with experimental tests. This method offers an efficient and rapid way to achieve high-quality reconstruction of complex digital twins.

Atom Probe Tomography of the LiFePO4-Electrolyte Interface Enabled by Thin Film Electrodes

Atom probe tomography (APT) can yield three-dimensional tomographic images at atomic-scale resolution and low-AMU elements such as Li are readily observed, making it a powerful tool for exploring battery materials interfaces. However, it is difficult to prepare APT specimen tips containing the interface of interest starting with typical particle-based battery electrodes. Here we demonstrate a methodology for reliable APT imaging of battery interfaces in which a thin film electrode geometry is used to provide well-controlled planar interfaces that are ideal for APT sample preparation and imaging. LiFePO4 (LFP) thin film electrodes, synthesized using pulsed laser deposition (PLD), were studied as an example system, with standard Li-salt electrolytes. For the results to be applicable to conventional particulate electrodes, it is important to obtain representative thin film structure and electrochemical characteristics. Thus, the effects of PLD conditions including substrate temperature, substrate crystallinity, target composition, and deposition time (number of laser pulses) on the thin film’s crystallographic texture, morphology, and electrochemical performance were studied. Optimized LFP film showed good crystallinity with low-C-rate capacity of ∼90 mAh g−1. Initial APT three-dimensional imaging of the LFP/electrolyte interface shows an ∼10 nm cathode-electrolyte interphase layer that is enriched in F and Li.

Solidification of Polyurethane Model Foams via Catalyst Drainage from a Secondary Foam.

Due to their unique mechanical and thermal properties, polyurethane foams are widely used in multiple fields of applications, including cushioning, thermal insulation or biomedical engineering. However, the way polyurethane foams are usually manufactured - via chemical foaming - produces samples where blowing and gelling occur at the same time, resulting in a morphology control achieved by trial and error processes. Here, a novel strategy is introduced to build model homogeneous polyurethane foams of controlled density with millimetric bubbles from liquid templates. By producing a polyurethane foam via physical bubbling without a catalyst and gently depositing a secondary foam containing catalyst on the top of this first foam, it is possible to take advantage of drainage mechanisms to trigger the solidification of the bottom foam. The characterization of the samples performed by X-ray microtomography allows to study quantitatively the structure of the final solid foam, at the global and at the local scale. Using the tomographic 3D images of the foam architectures, the superimposed foam technique introduced in this article is shown to be promising to produce foams with a good homogeneity along the vertical direction, with a density controlled by varying the concentration of catalyst in the secondaryfoam.

Evaluation of Ammonium Nitrate(V) Morphology and Porosity Obtained by SEM and Tomography Imaging.

This paper presents an evaluation of the morphology of fertilizer-grade and prill-grade ammonium nitrate(V). All samples were analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tomography techniques. The XRD results revealed that despite various provenances, all samples exhibited similar Pmmm symmetry and diffraction patterns. SEM images indicated that prill ammonium nitrate(V) showed a more complex external and internal crystal structure than fertilizer-grade counterparts. Furthermore, tomography analysis revealed that each prill ammonium nitrate(V) sample demonstrated distinct porosity characteristics, including varying pore sizes and distribution patterns. Both methods confirmed that fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate(V) in the cross-section had a pumice structure, and porous prill ammonium nitrate(V) had a rather complex structure, with a central cavity observed only in the case of Sample 4. The appearance of a central cavity can be explained by the different conditions or manufacturing processes of porous prill ammonium nitrate(V). Moreover, the fertilizer-type ammonium nitrate(V) exhibited the lowest surface-to-volume ratio of ca. 21% compared to the porous-type ammonium nitrate(V). This, together with the lowest surface area of ca. 116 mm2, confirmed the lowest absorption capacity of the fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate(V) disclosed by the ammonium nitrate(V) producer.

Influence of surgical intervention at the level of the dorsal spinous processes on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine.

Surgical treatment options for horses with overriding dorsal spinous processes include interspinous ligament desmotomy and partial spinous process ostectomy. The impact of spinal surgery on the three-dimensional biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine and the epaxial musculature is unclear. To investigate the influence of interspinous ligament desmotomy and cranial wedge ostectomy on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine and the paraspinal Musculi multifidi. Ex-vivo experiments. Twelve equine thoracolumbar spine specimens were mounted in a custom-made mechanical test rig. Based on computed tomographic imaging, distances between dorsal spinous processes and the spinal range of motion (lateral bending, axial rotation, flexion, extension) were compared before and after desmotomy and cranial wedge ostectomy performed at two or five surgical sites. Anatomical dissection was subsequently conducted to document surgical trauma to the Musculi multifidi following desmotomy. The distance between spinous processes in neutral position did not increase significantly after desmotomy (median preoperative = 7.2 mm, interquartile range [IQR] = 3.6 mm; median postoperative = 7.4 mm, IQR = 3.7 mm; p = 0.09), but increased significantly after ostectomy (median preoperative = 8.8 mm, IQR = 4.2 mm; median postoperative = 13 mm, IQR = 6.1 mm; p < 0.001). Both surgical procedures significantly increased the rotational spinal range of motion (p = 0.001), particularly at the level T14/T15 (median preoperative = 6.4°, IQR = 3.2°; median postoperative = 8.2°, IQR = 3.5°; increase = 28.1%; p = 0.02). Musculi multifidi injury was evident at all desmotomy sites. Ex-vivo study with limited sample size. Neither interspinous ligament desmotomy nor cranial wedge ostectomy resulted in an increased range of motion during flexion, extension or lateral bending but both procedures influenced the rotational component of the equine thoracolumbar spinal mobility.

Radio Tomography Imaging using Adjacent Criterion Method to determine the Localization Error

Observed that most setups have limitations in the number of RF nodes due to a limited number of measurements. However, it is well known that the main difficulty in radio tomographic imaging attributes to the uncertainties in the receive signal strength (RSS) measurements of transceivers due to multipath effects, especially, when the environment of interest is much cluttered, and requirements on the larger number of nodes for the performance improvements. However, no study has been conducted to solve the inverse problem and improve the quality of the reconstructed image using a reduced sensor model for Radio tomography system localization. This work focuses on the design and development of a Radio tomography system for human localization that will employ a transceiver sensor arrangement to increase the number of measurements, without making any changes to the hardware design as well as the number of pixels in the sensing domain. An image reconstruction technique namely, Adjacent Criterion Method (ACM) was proposed to enhance the image spatial resolution. A number of experiments were used to evaluate the performance of the system. The results showed that the proposed technique improves the spatial resolution and exhibits more accurate tomograms

Dosimetric comparison of nodal clinical target volume for locally advanced non‑small cell lung cancer: Options for geometric expansion vs. lymph node stations.

The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate whether dosimetric differences existed in nodal clinical target volume (CTV) using options for geometric expansion and lymph node (LN) stations based on the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology guideline for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the treatment planning computed tomographic images of 17 patients with cT4N2M0 NSCLC, nodal CTVs were contoured based on the guideline options of: i) Geometric expansion, with CTV including the nodal gross tumor volume plus 5 mm margin; and ii) LN stations, with CTV including the affected LN stations. Treatment planning of 60 Gy in 30 fractions was performed using volumetric modulated arc therapy; Dmean was the mean irradiated dose to the structure; and VnGy was the volume of the structure receiving ≥n Gy. Dose-volume parameters were compared between the two options. Consequently, the option of geometric expansion was associated with a significantly lower V60Gy and Dmean of the esophagus, V20Gy, V5Gy and Dmean of the lungs, and Dmean of the heart than the option of LN stations in all patients (P=0.017, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001 and P=0.029, respectively). For the V20Gy of the lungs, the 8 patients (47%) with LN metastases in stations 2 or 3 had significantly larger differences in the values between the two options than the 9 patients (53%) without those metastases; the median values of the difference of V20Gy of the lungs between the two options were 2.8% (range, 0.2 to 9.6%) with LN metastases in stations 2 or 3 and 0.5% (range, -0.2 to 5.0%) without these metastases (P=0.027). In conclusion, using the option for geometric expansion might help reduce the V60Gy and Dmean of the esophagus, V20Gy, V5Gy and Dmean of the lungs, and Dmean of the heart in all patients, and the V20Gy of the lungs in patients with LN metastases in stations 2 or 3.

X-ray scattering based scanning tomography for imaging and structural characterization of cellulose in plants.

X-ray and neutron scattering have long been used for structural characterization of cellulose in plants. Due to averaging over the illuminated sample volume, these measurements traditionally overlooked the compositional and morphological heterogeneity within the sample. Here, a scanning tomographic imaging method is described, using contrast derived from the X-ray scattering intensity, for virtually sectioning the sample to reveal its internal structure at a resolution of a few micrometres. This method provides a means for retrieving the local scattering signal that corresponds to any voxel within the virtual section, enabling characterization of the local structure using traditional data-analysis methods. This is accomplished through tomographic reconstruction of the spatial distribution of a handful of mathematical components identified by non-negative matrix factorization from the large dataset of X-ray scattering intensity. Joint analysis of multiple datasets, to find similarity between voxels by clustering of the decomposed data, could help elucidate systematic differences between samples, such as those expected from genetic modifications, chemical treatments or fungal decay. The spatial distribution of the microfibril angle can also be analyzed, based on the tomographically reconstructed scattering intensity as a function of the azimuthal angle.

Sparse-angle optical projection tomography based on multi-layer sparsity and deep image priors

Optical projection tomography (OPT) is a computational imaging technique to acquire the volumetric images of biological samples ranging from millimeters to centimeters. For in-vivo OPT, it is essential to minimize the inspection time to reduce the adverse impacts on organisms, including the anesthetic side effect and phototoxicity. It can be achieved by projecting the samples from equally spaced sparse angles, but this method will induce radial artifacts in the reconstructed tomographic images. This paper develops a high-quality reconstruction method for sparse-angle OPT by jointly exploiting the multi-layer sparsity prior and deep image prior (DIP) on the volumetric images. The DIP module works in an unsupervised manner without requirement on a training dataset. This method can also address the inter-layer correlation within the samples, and process multi-layer images in parallel to improve the reconstruction accuracy and efficiency. Simulations and experiments demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method over some widely used reconstruction algorithms for sparse-angle OPT.

Numerical modeling of shrinkage induced cracking in cementitious materials with three-dimensional simulation and phase-field method

This study investigates the damage and cracking of concrete induced by drying shrinkage. While previous studies have primarily focused on two-dimensional configurations, this research employs three-dimensional phase-field simulations of concrete samples undergoing the drying process. The distribution of inclusions is derived from tomographic images of real samples. The analysis includes the evolution of the damage field and the propagation of cracked zones. The study introduces the formulation and implementation of the numerical method and applies it to elucidate the cracking process resulting from drying shrinkage in concrete composites with various types of inclusions. Numerous numerical simulations were conducted to accurately depict the cracking process induced by drying shrinkage in the samples, evaluating the effects of different inclusions with varying stiffness on the concrete’s cracking phenomenon and comparing the impact of various energy degradation methods on crack simulation. Moreover, the study analyzes the influence of the spatial distribution of the inclusions in the three-dimensional simulation and compares the numerical results with experimental observations.

Image reconstruction method of gamma emission tomography based on prior-aware information and machine learning for partial-defect detection of PWR-type spent nuclear fuel

Spent nuclear fuel (SNF) requires accurate and effective supervision to prevent radiation release to the public and the environment. Gamma emission tomography (GET) has been used to inspect partial-defects at the pin-by-pin level through the acquisition of tomographic images. However, due to the high density of nuclear fuel rods, GET shows relatively low accuracy for the central region. This study proposes an image reconstruction method for the internal fuels based on Monte Carlo simulation and machine learning algorithm. The gammas from the SNF were measured with the GET device and the sinograms were reconstructed with Maximum-Likelihood Expectation-Maximization (MLEM) with prior-aware information of SNF, and image quality was improved with the machine learning technique. Our results show that the MLEM with prior-aware information could dramatically improve the image quality and the denoising technique with the machine learning could clearly correct the over-and under-estimation. Based on the results of quantitative validation of the proposed reconstruction method, the pattern classification accuracy was calculated to be about 100 %. These techniques enabled the image acquisition of the central fuel rod and increased accuracy in partial defect detection. For further study, the performance of the proposed reconstruction method will be evaluated based on the experiment data.

Perturbed conjugate gradient method: controlling semi-convergence, enforcing non-negativity, and accelerating iterations in tomographic imaging

We regulate the semi-convergence behaviour, impose non-negativity on the iterations, reduce total variation, and enhance the conjugate gradient (CG) method by introducing a perturbed version of the CG method. We provide a convergence analysis for this perturbed version. We also demonstrate its performance using examples taken from tomographic imaging and compare it with CG and its projected version, superiorized conjugate gradient (S-CG-CD), and non-negative flexible CGLS (NN-FCGLS).