KEYWORDS: 3D modeling, Image segmentation, Reconstruction algorithms, Instrument modeling, 3D image reconstruction, Model based design, 3D equipment, Fluoroscopy, Cone beam computed tomography, 3D projection
Continuous-sweep limited angle (CLA) fluoroscopy is a recently proposed method for live 3D catheter reconstruction using a single-plane C-arm that continuously rotates back-and-forth within a narrow angle during fluoroscopic image acquisition. This study compares the accuracy and computation time of two real-time 3D catheter reconstruction algorithms. The first approach, iterative model-based device reconstruction (MDR), optimizes the 3D location of 8 control points representing the catheter as a cubic spline. Optimization was performed by minimizing a cost function that describes the data consistency between reconstructed shape and 2D catheter segmentations in the current and previous fluoroscopic images. Alternatively, the second approach is a topology observing reconstruction (TOR) algorithm, which reduces the solution space by performing a graph-based analysis of the 3D vessel tree followed by an analytical minimization of a simplified cost function. Both approaches were evaluated in an experimental study where a microcatheter was navigated through a 3D printed vessel phantom. Accuracy was determined by comparing the reconstructed final catheter pose to a reference 3D cone beam CT scan. The root mean squared distance (RMSD) between reference and CLA reconstruction was considerably smaller for the TOR approach (1.88 ± 0.34mm) than for MDR (6.78 ± 4.4mm). Computation time was also shorter for TOR (0.34ms) compared to MDR (518.6ms) making it suitable for real-time reconstruction with clinically relevant frame rates. The clinical translation of CLA could improve procedure efficiency by providing an intuitive 3D visualization of the device within a vessel. Further work is needed to evaluate the approach in vivo in the presence of respiratory motion.
4D fluoroscopy is a method for real-time 3D visualization of endovascular devices using biplane fluoroscopy. Frame-byframe (15 fps) 4D reconstructions of the device are overlayed on 3D vascular anatomy derived from 3D-DSA. We describe a 4D-assisted guidance platform that provides virtual endoscopic renderings of blood vessels and report on its use for navigating guidewires in a patient-specific vascular phantom. The 4D-assisted platform provides two 4D display modes plus conventional 2D fluoroscopy. Virtual endoscopic 4D mode shows a real-time view of the guidewire tip and the downstream vessel with a viewpoint inside the vessel. Path-planning highlights the target vessel branches. External 4D display mode provides an external rotatable viewpoint of the device and vasculature. In a phantom study, operators navigated a guidewire through branches of a 3D-printed phantom. Performance was compared to navigation with 2D fluoroscopy alone. Operators rated the degree to which they used the 2D and 4D display modes on a Likert scale (1-never, 5-almost always). Quantitative imaging metrics were obtained from processed video recordings. Three users completed 15 of 15 challenges with 4D-assisted display, whereas the 2D-only guidance completion rate was 13/15. With both 2D and 4D displays available, users reported using the 2D display never-to-sometimes (median score = 2) and 4D display often or almost always (median = 5). The virtual endoscopic viewpoint was utilized more frequently than the external viewpoint. 4D fluoroscopy with virtual endoscopic display provides a new and potentially useful mode for visualization of guidewire and catheter manipulations in complex vascular anatomy.
KEYWORDS: Signal to noise ratio, Image filtering, 3D image processing, 3D image reconstruction, 3D metrology, Angiography, Bone, Digital filtering, Gaussian filters, 3D acquisition
A conventional three-dimensional/four-dimensional (3D/4D) digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) requires two rotational acquisitions (mask and fill) to compute the log-subtracted projections that are used to reconstruct a 3D/4D volume. Since all of the vascular information is contained in the fill acquisition, it is hypothesized that it is possible to reduce the x-ray dose of the mask acquisition substantially and still obtain subtracted projections adequate to reconstruct a 3D/4D volume with noise level comparable to a full-dose acquisition. A full-dose mask and fill acquisition were acquired from a clinical study to provide a known full-dose reference reconstruction. Gaussian noise was added to the mask acquisition to simulate a mask acquisition acquired at 10% relative dose. Noise in the low-dose mask projections was reduced with a weighted edge preserving filter designed to preserve bony edges while suppressing noise. Two-dimensional (2D) log-subtracted projections were computed from the filtered low-dose mask and full-dose fill projections, and then 3D/4D-DSA reconstruction algorithms were applied. Additional bilateral filtering was applied to the 3D volumes. The signal-to-noise ratio measured in the filtered 3D/4D-DSA volumes was compared to the full-dose case. The average ratio of filtered low-dose SNR to full-dose SNR was 0.856 for the 3D-DSA and 0.849 for the 4D-DSA, indicating that the method is a feasible approach to restoring SNR in DSA scans acquired with a low-dose mask. The method was also tested in a phantom study with full-dose fill and 22%-dose mask.
KEYWORDS: Signal to noise ratio, Angiography, Digital filtering, 3D acquisition, X-rays, Reconstruction algorithms, Electronic filtering, Radiation dosimetry, Neuroimaging, Image filtering, 3D image processing, 3D image reconstruction, Bone, 3D metrology, Interference (communication), Gaussian filters
A conventional 3D/4D digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) requires two rotational acquisitions (mask and fill) to
compute the log-subtracted projections that are used to reconstruct a 3D/4D volume. Since all of the vascular
information is contained in the fill acquisition, it is hypothesized that it is possible to reduce the x-ray dose of the mask
acquisition substantially and still obtain subtracted projections adequate to reconstruct a 3D/4D volume with noise level
comparable to a full dose acquisition. A full dose mask and fill acquisition were acquired from a clinical study to
provide a known full dose reference reconstruction. Gaussian noise was added to the mask acquisition to simulate a
mask acquisition acquired at 10% relative dose. Noise in the low-dose mask projections was reduced with a weighted
edge preserving (WEP) filter designed to preserve bony edges while suppressing noise. 2D log-subtracted projections
were computed from the filtered low-dose mask and full-dose fill projections, and then 3D/4D-DSA reconstruction
algorithms were applied. Additional bilateral filtering was applied to the 3D volumes. The signal-to-noise ratio
measured in the filtered 3D/4D-DSA volumes was compared to the full dose case. The average ratio of filtered low-dose
SNR to full-dose SNR was 1.07 for the 3D-DSA and 1.05 for the 4D-DSA, indicating the method is a feasible approach
to restoring SNR in DSA scans acquired with a low-dose mask. The method was also tested in a phantom study with full
dose fill and 22% dose mask.
KEYWORDS: Spatial resolution, 3D image processing, Modulation transfer functions, Angiography, Spatial frequencies, Temporal resolution, 3D image reconstruction, Point spread functions, 3D acquisition, Medical imaging
C-Arm CT three-dimensional (3-D) digital subtraction angiography (DSA) reconstructions cannot provide temporal information to radiologists. Four-dimensional (4-D) DSA provides a time series of 3-D volumes utilizing temporal dynamics in the two-dimensional (2-D) projections using a constraining image reconstruction approach. Volumetric limiting spatial resolution (VLSR) of 4-D DSA is quantified and compared to a 3-D DSA. The effects of varying 4-D DSA parameters of 2-D projection blurring kernel size and threshold of the 3-D DSA (constraining image) of an in silico phantom (ISPH) and physical phantom (PPH) were investigated. The PPH consisted of a 76-micron tungsten wire. An 8-s/248-frame/198-deg scan protocol acquired the projection data. VLSR was determined from MTF curves generated from each 2-D transverse slice of every (248) 4-D temporal frame. 4-D DSA results for PPH and ISPH were compared to the 3-D DSA. 3-D DSA analysis resulted in a VLSR of 2.28 and 1.69 lp/mm for ISPH and PPH, respectively. Kernel sizes of either 10×10 or 20×20 pixels with a 3-D DSA constraining image threshold of 10% provided 4-D DSA VLSR nearest to the 3-D DSA. 4-D DSA yielded 2.21 and 1.67 lp/mm with a percent error of 3.1 and 1.2% for ISPH and PPH, respectively, as compared to 3-D DSA. This research indicates 4-D DSA is capable of retaining the resolution of 3-D DSA.
Static C-Arm CT 3D FDK baseline reconstructions (3D-DSA) are unable to provide temporal information to radiologists. 4D-DSA provides a time series of 3D volumes implementing a constrained image, thresholded 3D-DSA, reconstruction utilizing temporal dynamics in the 2D projections. Volumetric limiting spatial resolution (VLSR) of 4DDSA is quantified and compared to a 3D-DSA reconstruction using the same 3D-DSA parameters. Investigated were the effects of varying over significant ranges the 4D-DSA parameters of 2D blurring kernel size applied to the projection and threshold applied to the 3D-DSA when generating the constraining image of a scanned phantom (SPH) and an electronic phantom (EPH). The SPH consisted of a 76 micron tungsten wire encased in a 47 mm O.D. plastic radially concentric thin walled support structure. An 8-second/248-frame/198° scan protocol acquired the raw projection data. VLSR was determined from averaged MTF curves generated from each 2D transverse slice of every (248) 4D temporal frame (3D). 4D results for SPH and EPH were compared to the 3D-DSA. Analysis of the 3D-DSA resulted in a VLSR of 2.28 and 1.69 lp/mm for the EPH and SPH respectively. Kernel (2D) sizes of either 10x10 or 20x20 pixels with a threshold of 10% of the 3D-DSA as a constraining image provided 4D-DSA VLSR nearest to the 3D-DSA. 4D-DSA algorithms yielded 2.21 and 1.67 lp/mm with a percent error of 3.1% and 1.2% for the EPH and SPH respectively as compared to the 3D-DSA. This research indicates 4D-DSA is capable of retaining the resolution of the 3D-DSA.
We have described methods that allow highly accelerated MRI using under-sampled acquisitions and
constrained reconstruction. One is a hybrid acquisition involving the constrained reconstruction of time
dependent information obtained from a separate scan of longer duration. We have developed reconstruction
algorithms for DSA that allow use of a single injection to provide the temporal data required for flow
visualization and the steady state data required for construction of a 3D-DSA vascular volume. The result is
time resolved 3D volumes with typical resolution of 5123 at frame rates of 20-30 fps. Full manipulation of
these images is possible during each stage of vascular filling thereby allowing for simplified interpretation of
vascular dynamics. For intravenous angiography this time resolved 3D capability overcomes the vessel
overlap problem that greatly limited the use of conventional intravenous 2D-DSA. Following further
hardware development, it will be also be possible to rotate fluoroscopic volumes for use as roadmaps that can
be viewed at arbitrary angles without a need for gantry rotation. The most precise implementation of this
capability requires availability of biplane fluoroscopy data. Since the reconstruction of 3D volumes
presently suppresses the contrast in the soft tissue, the possibility of using these techniques to derive
complete indications of perfusion deficits based on cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT)
and time to peak (TTP) parameters requires further investigation. Using MATLAB post-processing,
successful studies in animals and humans done in conjunction with both intravenous and intra-arterial
injections have been completed. Real time implementation is in progress.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.