Emphasis
The emphasis is on: simulation, design and development of new x-ray sources and detector systems for imaging; new readout methods that enhance the signal quality for x-ray image generation; designs of novel imaging geometries for dedicated, general or multi-purpose imaging; algorithms that compensate for the physical properties of the detection system to improve the clinical reliability of the image (reconstruction algorithms); and approaches to radiation dose reduction, especially in CT. Of interest are diagnostic image enhancements via energy sensitive photon counting, dual/multi energy imaging and quantification, and new applications of cone-beam tomography.
Relevance
The emphasized topics are meant to lead toward: improved clinical CT and planar x-ray (e.g. mammography) systems or new camera geometries; new signal-processing and image-generation algorithms; corrections for image artifacts for enhanced reliability of clinical images; studies of x-ray physics to estimate absorbed energy of diagnostic scans; and methods of visualizing or measuring therapy doses. Investigating the associated dosimetry estimations helps to decrease the risk of diagnostic and therapy techniques.
Examples of emphasis
- improvement in compact x-ray source technologies
- development & construction of flat panel detector arrays
- evaluation of new semiconductor, scintillation and other novel radiation detectors
- reconstruction algorithms for CT and cone-beam geometry
- advances of photon counting or dual/multi-energy in CT
- techniques for improved image spatial resolution and sensitivity
- investigating x-ray luminescence tomography
- design and manufacture of x-ray gratings
- investigating interferometry and (tissue-induced) phase contrast techniques as well as development of usable phase contrast systems
- combining modalities for clinically relevant hybrid cameras (e.g. coupling x-ray CT to SPECT and PET, ultrasound, optical, MRI or other modalities)
- software algorithms and imaging protocols to estimate patient dosimetry
- improvements in digital radiography and digital fluoroscopy
- novel interaction processing such as those using scattered x-rays
- developing ion beams for novel clinical applications
- new diagnostics applied to image-guided therapy and theranostics
Additional support
- improvements in digital radiography and digital fluoroscopy
- novel interaction processing such as those using scattered x-rays
- developing ion beams for novel clinical applications
- new diagnostics applied to image-guided therapy and theranostics
Notes
- clinical application of image-guided therapy and theranostics is supported by the Image-Guided Interventions program
- development of imaging molecular agents is supported by the Molecular Imaging program
- novel evaluation of images is supported by the Image Processing, Visual Perception and Display program
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