Research and Developments in Medical Image Reconstruction Methods and its Applications

Abstract

Image reconstruction from projection is the field that lays the foundation for Medical Imaging or Medical Image Processing. The rapid and proceeding progress in medical image reconstruction, and the related developments in analysis methods and computer-aided diagnosis, has promoted medical imaging into one of the most important sub-fields in scientific imaging. Computer technology has enabled tomographic and three-dimensional reconstruction of images, illustrating both anatomical features and physiological functioning, free from overlying structures.In this chapter, the authors share their opinions on the research and development in the field of Medical Image Reconstruction Techniques, Computed Tomography (CT), challenges and the impact of future technology developments in CT, Computed Tomography Metrology in industrial research & development, technology, and clinical performance of different CT-scanner generations used for cardiac imaging, such as Electron Beam CT (EBCT), single-slice CT, and Multi-Detector row CT (MDCT) with 4, 16, and 64 simultaneously acquired slices. The authors identify the limitations of current CT-scanners, indicate potential of improvement and discuss alternative system concepts such as CT with area detectors and Dual Source CT (DSCT), recent technology with a focus on generation and detection of X-rays, as well as image reconstruction are discussed. Furthermore, the chapter includes aspects of applications, dose exposure in computed tomography, and a brief overview on special CT developments. Since this chapter gives a review of the major accomplishments and future directions in this field, with emphasis on developments over the past 50 years, the interested reader is referred to recent literature on computed tomography including a detailed discussion of CT technology in the references section.