Continuous bed motion on clinical scanner: design, data correction, and reconstruction.

With the addition of variable bed speed capabilities, continuous bed motion (CBM) becomes an acquisition generalization for axial sensitivity modeling and therefore a flexible tool in axial local image quality adjustment. In this paper, we describe the principles behind CBM mode planning and its influence on image reconstruction. The data correction method underwent the most changes compared to the commonly used step and shoot (S&S) mode. The CBM normalization array accommodates for activity decay, dead time correction, and the fact that various detector pairs acquire the same data for different durations. The normalization array is computed by simulating the movement of an object through the scanner, assisted by the monitoring of basic scanner acquisition parameters such as the singles rate. The sensitivity, which is the number of counts acquired per image plane, is an intrinsic part of normalization computing. Basic equations to estimate acquisition time at matched sensitivity between single speed CBM and S&S mode are presented. The CBM feature was implemented on a Siemens clinical scanner and initial studies of phantoms and patients are presented. The equivalence of single speed CBM and S&S image quality is demonstrated.

Simultaneous reconstruction of emission activity and attenuation coefficient distribution from TOF data, acquired with external transmission source.

The simultaneous PET data reconstruction of emission activity and attenuation coefficient distribution is presented, where the attenuation image is constrained by exploiting an external transmission source. Data are acquired in time-of-flight (TOF) mode, allowing in principle for separation of emission and transmission data. Nevertheless, here all data are reconstructed at once, eliminating the need to trace the position of the transmission source in sinogram space. Contamination of emission data by the transmission source and vice versa is naturally modeled. Attenuated emission activity data also provide additional information about object attenuation coefficient values. The algorithm alternates between attenuation and emission activity image updates. We also proposed a method of estimation of spatial scatter distribution from the transmission source by incorporating knowledge about the expected range of attenuation map values. The reconstruction of experimental data from the Siemens mCT scanner suggests that simultaneous reconstruction improves attenuation map image quality, as compared to when data are separated. In the presented example, the attenuation map image noise was reduced and non-uniformity artifacts that occurred due to scatter estimation were suppressed. On the other hand, the use of transmission data stabilizes attenuation coefficient distribution reconstruction from TOF emission data alone. The example of improving emission images by refining a CT-based patient attenuation map is presented, revealing potential benefits of simultaneous CT and PET data reconstruction.

Efficient cardiac diffusion tensor MRI by three-dimensional reconstruction of solenoidal tensor fields.

Tensor tomography is being investigated as a technique for reconstruction of in vivo diffusion tensor fields that can potentially be used to reduce the number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements. Specifically, assessments are being made of the reconstruction of cardiac diffusion tensor fields from 3D Radon planar projections using a filtered backprojection algorithm in order to specify the helical fiber structure of myocardial tissue. Helmholtz type decomposition is proposed for 3D second order tensor fields. Using this decomposition a Fourier projection theorem is formulated in terms of the solenoidal and irrotational components of the tensor field. From the Fourier projection theorem, two sets of Radon directional measurements, one that reconstructs the solenoidal component and one that reconstructs the irrotational component of the tensor field, are prescribed. Based on these observations filtered backprojection reconstruction formulae are given for the reconstruction of a 3D second order tensor field and its solenoidal and irrotational components from Radon projection measurements. Computer simulations demonstrate the validity of the mathematical formulations and demonstrate that a realistic model of the helical fiber structure of the myocardial tissue specifies a diffusion tensor field for which the first principal vector (the vector associated with the maximum eigenvalue) of the solenoidal component accurately approximates the first principal vector of the diffusion tensor. A priori knowledge of this allows the orientation of the myocardial fiber structure to be specified utilizing one half of the number of MRI measurements of a normal diffusion tensor field study.

Morphology, histochemistry and ultrahistochemistry of special verrucose formations in daughter sporocyst of Eurytrema pancreaticum.

Verrucose formations were found on the surface of fully developed sporocysts of E. pancreaticum Janson, 1889 at the site where the attenuated proboscis-like anterior portion widens into the posterior portion. Under these verrucose formations is always a group of gland cells. Their narrowed processes pass at a common site through the muscle layer and above this layer again slightly widen and project above the neighbouring tegument. The tegument of the verrucose formation differs from the neighbouring tegument of the sporocyst. In the cytoplasm of the gland cells there are large, spherical membrane-bound bodies containing proteins with tryptophan, tyrosine and SH groups. These bodies do not have any activity of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase or nonspecific esterase. Besides these protein bodies the perinuclear cytoplasm is filled with beta glycogen particles and many cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum. The processes of these cells contain thick fibriles. The verrucose formations with the gland cells seem to serve for attachement and lysis. This function is applied not only during the development of the sporocyst, but also during its release from the site of location and penetration through the snail tissue.