Grant Details
Description
The objective of this work is to design and construct computing
systems for the real-time reconstruction of computed tomography
(CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images. When coupled to
existing acquistion systems capable of rapidly acquiring CT or MR
data, the possibility of real-time CT and or real-time MR imaging
is realized. The clinical significance of these developments lies in
the ability to monitor in real-time the dynamic events occuring
within the human body, as well as the ability to monitor in real-
time the efficacy of procedures, such as the injection of contrast
material or the positioning of interventional probes, involved in
acquiring the study. This research program represents a
continuation and expansion of a research effort that has
successfully demonstrated the first real-time reconstruction of
CT imagery. A major portion of the proposed research is directed
at improving the existing system. This system performs the
necessary filtering and back-projection operations optically.
Experience has indicated that a digital electronic implemention of
the filtering step is preferred and will be developed. The optical
back-projector works admirably. Its capability will be extended
to include fanbeam projection data. An interface will be
developed to allow fast scanning systems to access the system.
Another major aspect of the research will be directed at
demonstrating the real-time reconstruction of MR images. Real-
time MR imaging is possible using a fast dataacquistion method
that supplies the Fourier transforms of projections. To
reconstruct the images, an optical computer that employs the
standard back-projector and a modified filtering system will be
constructed. The more standard rapidscanning method for MR is
the Echoplanar technique. Realtime reconstruction can be
accomplished using a number of different acusto-optic
architectures that we propose to explore. For both methods of
real-time MR, the poor quality inherent in the data makes optics
a reasonable technology to investigate. A final area of research
involves the initiation of a collaborative effort to explore the
potential of VLSI technology for performing some of these
computational tasks. It is believed that the one-dimensional
operations such as filtering and Fourier transformation are
amenable to a VLSI solution. Existing expertise and facilities will
allow for the design, layout, and fabrication of these circuits.
systems for the real-time reconstruction of computed tomography
(CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images. When coupled to
existing acquistion systems capable of rapidly acquiring CT or MR
data, the possibility of real-time CT and or real-time MR imaging
is realized. The clinical significance of these developments lies in
the ability to monitor in real-time the dynamic events occuring
within the human body, as well as the ability to monitor in real-
time the efficacy of procedures, such as the injection of contrast
material or the positioning of interventional probes, involved in
acquiring the study. This research program represents a
continuation and expansion of a research effort that has
successfully demonstrated the first real-time reconstruction of
CT imagery. A major portion of the proposed research is directed
at improving the existing system. This system performs the
necessary filtering and back-projection operations optically.
Experience has indicated that a digital electronic implemention of
the filtering step is preferred and will be developed. The optical
back-projector works admirably. Its capability will be extended
to include fanbeam projection data. An interface will be
developed to allow fast scanning systems to access the system.
Another major aspect of the research will be directed at
demonstrating the real-time reconstruction of MR images. Real-
time MR imaging is possible using a fast dataacquistion method
that supplies the Fourier transforms of projections. To
reconstruct the images, an optical computer that employs the
standard back-projector and a modified filtering system will be
constructed. The more standard rapidscanning method for MR is
the Echoplanar technique. Realtime reconstruction can be
accomplished using a number of different acusto-optic
architectures that we propose to explore. For both methods of
real-time MR, the poor quality inherent in the data makes optics
a reasonable technology to investigate. A final area of research
involves the initiation of a collaborative effort to explore the
potential of VLSI technology for performing some of these
computational tasks. It is believed that the one-dimensional
operations such as filtering and Fourier transformation are
amenable to a VLSI solution. Existing expertise and facilities will
allow for the design, layout, and fabrication of these circuits.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 8/1/84 → 11/30/90 |
Funding
- National Institutes of Health
ASJC
- Medicine(all)
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