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Tao S, Tian Z, Bai L, Xu Y, Kuang C, Liu X. Phase retrieval for X-ray differential phase contrast radiography with knowledge transfer learning from virtual differential absorption model. Comput Biol Med 2024; 168:107711. [PMID: 37995534 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Grating-based X-ray phase contrast radiography and computed tomography (CT) are promising modalities for future medical applications. However, the ill-posed phase retrieval problem in X-ray phase contrast imaging has hindered its use for quantitative analysis in biomedical imaging. Deep learning has been proved as an effective tool for image retrieval. However, in practical grating-based X-ray phase contrast imaging system, acquiring the ground truth of phase to form image pairs is challenging, which poses a great obstacle for using deep leaning methods. Transfer learning is widely used to address the problem with knowledge inheritance from similar tasks. In the present research, we propose a virtual differential absorption model and generate a training dataset with differential absorption images and absorption images. The knowledge learned from the training is transferred to phase retrieval with transfer learning techniques. Numerical simulations and experiments both demonstrate its feasibility. Image quality of retrieved phase radiograph and phase CT slices is improved when compared with representative phase retrieval methods. We conclude that this method is helpful in both X-ray 2D and 3D imaging and may find its applications in X-ray phase contrast radiography and X-ray phase CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Zonghan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Ling Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yueshu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China; State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 315100, China
| | - Cuifang Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China; State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 315100, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China.
| | - Xu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China; State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 315100, China; Ningbo Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Ningbo, 315100, China.
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2
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Lioliou G, Navarrete-León C, Astolfo A, Savvidis S, Bate D, Endrizzi M, Hagen CK, Olivo A. A laboratory-based beam tracking x-ray imaging method achieving two-dimensional phase sensitivity and isotropic resolution with unidirectional undersampling. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8707. [PMID: 37248325 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35901-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Beam tracking X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging is a "Shack-Hartmann" type approach which uses a pre-sample mask to split the x-rays into "beamlets" which are interrogated by a detector with sufficient resolution. The ultimate spatial resolution is determined by the size of the mask apertures, however achieving this resolution level requires "stepping" the sample or the mask in increments equal to the aperture size ("dithering"). If an array of circular apertures is used (which also provides two-dimensional phase sensitivity) instead of long parallel slits, this stepping needs to be carried out in two directions, which lengthens scan times significantly. We present a mask design obtained by offsetting rows of circular apertures, allowing for two-dimensional sensitivity and isotropic resolution while requiring sample or mask stepping in one direction only. We present images of custom-built phantoms and biological specimens, demonstrating that quantitative phase retrieval and near aperture-limited spatial resolutions are obtained in two orthogonal directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Lioliou
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - C Navarrete-León
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - A Astolfo
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - S Savvidis
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - D Bate
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Nikon X-Tek Systems Ltd, Tring, HP23 4JX, Herts, UK
| | - M Endrizzi
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - C K Hagen
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - A Olivo
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Malet Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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3
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An In-House Cone-Beam Tomographic Reconstruction Package for Laboratory X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12031430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Phase-contrast, and in general, multi-modal, X-ray micro-tomography is proven to be very useful for low-density, low-attention samples enabling much better contrast than its attenuation-based pendant. Therefore, it is increasingly applied in bio- and life sciences primarily dealing with such samples. Although there is a plethora of literature regarding phase-retrieval algorithms, access to implementations of those algorithms is relatively limited and very few packages combining phase-retrieval methods with the full tomographic reconstruction pipeline are available. This is especially the case for laboratory-based phase-contrast imaging typically featuring cone-beam geometry. We present here an in-house cone-beam tomographic reconstruction package for laboratory X-ray phase-contrast imaging. It covers different phase-contrast techniques and phase retrieval methods. The paper explains their implementation and integration in the filtered back projection chain. Their functionality and efficiency will be demonstrated through applications on a few dedicated samples.
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4
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Hindenlang B, Gapeeva A, Baum MJ, Kaps S, Saure LM, Rasch F, Hammel J, Moosmann J, Storm M, Adelung R, Schütt F, Zeller-Plumhoff B. Evaporation kinetics in highly porous tetrapodal zinc oxide networks studied using in situ SRµCT. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20272. [PMID: 34642393 PMCID: PMC8511110 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99624-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO) is used to fabricate polymer composites for many different applications ranging from biomedicine to electronics. In recent times, macroscopic framework structures from t-ZnO have been used as a versatile sacrificial template for the synthesis of multi-scaled foam structures from different nanomaterials such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride or gallium nitride. Many of these fabrication methods rely on wet-chemical coating processes using nanomaterial dispersions, leading to a strong interest in the actual coating mechanism and factors influencing it. Depending on the type of medium (e.g. solvent) used, different results regarding the homogeneity of the nanomaterial coating can be achieved. In order to understand how a medium influences the coating behavior, the evaporation process of water and ethanol is investigated in this work using in situ synchrotron radiation-based micro computed tomography (SRµCT). By employing propagation-based phase contrast imaging, both the t-ZnO network and the medium can be visualized. Thus, the evaporation process can be monitored non-destructively in three dimensions. This investigation showed that using a polar medium such as water leads to uniform evaporation and, by that, a homogeneous coating of the entire network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birte Hindenlang
- Institute of Metallic Biomaterials, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
| | - Anna Gapeeva
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Martina J Baum
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sören Kaps
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lena M Saure
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Florian Rasch
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jörg Hammel
- Institute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Julian Moosmann
- Institute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Malte Storm
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Rainer Adelung
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Fabian Schütt
- Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Kiel University, Kaiserstr. 2, 24143, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Berit Zeller-Plumhoff
- Institute of Metallic Biomaterials, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
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Wan S, Arhatari BD, Nesterets YI, Mayo SC, Thompson D, Fox J, Kumar B, Prodanovic Z, Hausermann D, Maksimenko A, Hall C, Dimmock M, Pavlov KM, Lockie D, Rickard M, Gadomkar Z, Aminzadeh A, Vafa E, Peele A, Quiney HM, Lewis S, Gureyev TE, Brennan PC, Taba ST. Effect of x-ray energy on the radiological image quality in propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography of the breast. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2021; 8:052108. [PMID: 34268442 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.8.5.052108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in developing and developed countries and is responsible for 15% of women's cancer deaths worldwide. Conventional absorption-based breast imaging techniques lack sufficient contrast for comprehensive diagnosis. Propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (PB-CT) is a developing technique that exploits a more contrast-sensitive property of x-rays: x-ray refraction. X-ray absorption, refraction, and contrast-to-noise in the corresponding images depend on the x-ray energy used, for the same/fixed radiation dose. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between x-ray energy and radiological image quality in PB-CT imaging. Approach: Thirty-nine mastectomy samples were scanned at the imaging and medical beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. Samples were scanned at various x-ray energies of 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 60 keV using a Hamamatsu Flat Panel detector at the same object-to-detector distance of 6 m and mean glandular dose of 4 mGy. A total of 132 image sets were produced for analysis. Seven observers rated PB-CT images against absorption-based CT (AB-CT) images of the same samples on a five-point scale. A visual grading characteristics (VGC) study was used to determine the difference in image quality. Results: PB-CT images produced at 28, 30, 32, and 34 keV x-ray energies demonstrated statistically significant higher image quality than reference AB-CT images. The optimum x-ray energy, 30 keV, displayed the largest area under the curve ( AUC VGC ) of 0.754 ( p = 0.009 ). This was followed by 32 keV ( AUC VGC = 0.731 , p ≤ 0.001 ), 34 keV ( AUC VGC = 0.723 , p ≤ 0.001 ), and 28 keV ( AUC VGC = 0.654 , p = 0.015 ). Conclusions: An optimum energy range (around 30 keV) in the PB-CT technique allows for higher image quality at a dose comparable to conventional mammographic techniques. This results in improved radiological image quality compared with conventional techniques, which may ultimately lead to higher diagnostic efficacy and a reduction in breast cancer mortalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarina Wan
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Benedicta D Arhatari
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, Australia.,University of Melbourne, School of Physics, Parkville, Australia
| | - Yakov I Nesterets
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, Australia.,University of New England, School of Science and Technology, Armidale, Australia
| | - Sheridan C Mayo
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, Australia
| | - Darren Thompson
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, Australia.,University of New England, School of Science and Technology, Armidale, Australia
| | - Jane Fox
- Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Clayton, Australia.,Monash Health, Department of Pathology, Clayton, Australia
| | - Beena Kumar
- Monash Health, Department of Pathology, Clayton, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Matthew Dimmock
- Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Clayton, Australia
| | - Konstantin M Pavlov
- University of New England, School of Science and Technology, Armidale, Australia.,University of Canterbury, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Monash University, School of Physics and Astronomy, Clayton, Australia
| | - Darren Lockie
- Maroondah BreastScreen, Eastern Health, Ringwood, Australia
| | - Mary Rickard
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Ziba Gadomkar
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Alaleh Aminzadeh
- University of Melbourne, School of Physics, Parkville, Australia
| | - Elham Vafa
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Andrew Peele
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, Clayton, Australia
| | - Harry M Quiney
- University of Melbourne, School of Physics, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sarah Lewis
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Timur E Gureyev
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Lidcombe, Australia.,University of Melbourne, School of Physics, Parkville, Australia.,University of New England, School of Science and Technology, Armidale, Australia.,Monash University, School of Physics and Astronomy, Clayton, Australia
| | - Patrick C Brennan
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Seyedamir Tavakoli Taba
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Lidcombe, Australia
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6
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Abstract
Numerous advances have been made in X-ray technology in recent years. X-ray imaging plays an important role in the nondestructive exploration of the internal structures of objects. However, the contrast of X-ray absorption images remains low, especially for materials with low atomic numbers, such as biological samples. X-ray phase-contrast images have an intrinsically higher contrast than absorption images. In this review, the principles, milestones, and recent progress of X-ray phase-contrast imaging methods are demonstrated. In addition, prospective applications are presented.
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7
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Achouri IE, Rhoden A, Hudon S, Gosselin R, Simard JS, Abatzoglou N. Non-invasive detection technologies of solid foreign matter and their applications to lyophilized pharmaceutical products: A review. Talanta 2021; 224:121885. [PMID: 33379094 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations, under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), stipulate that all pharmaceutical products must be free of any contaminants, including, namely, any foreign solid objects. Lyophilization is a common manufacturing method that consists of several steps where foreign materials may enter the product. The presence of unintended particles in freeze drying, which will herein be referred to under the term 'Lyophilization', is of great concern to the authorities responsible for drug safety and effectiveness. In the pharmaceutical industry, presently, the inspection of lyophilized products for foreign matter particulates relies on visual inspection where only the outer surface of the lyophilized cake is visible. This review is motivated by the need for new control strategies for foreign matter (FM) detection in lyophilized products; more specifically, it assesses the reliability of non-destructive technologies for FM detection in dried samples. Emerging technologies applied in other industries, such as various types of spectroscopies and imaging (e.g. chemical, X-ray, ultrasound, thermal and terahertz), are evaluated based on compatibility with the intended application, with identification of the possible technical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès E Achouri
- Département de Génie Chimique et de Génie Biotechnologique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Alan Rhoden
- Pfizer USA, 100 route 206 North, Peapack, NJ, 07977, USA
| | - Sophie Hudon
- Pfizer Canada, 17300 route transcanadienne, Kirkland, QC, H9J 2M5, Canada
| | - Ryan Gosselin
- Département de Génie Chimique et de Génie Biotechnologique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Nicolas Abatzoglou
- Département de Génie Chimique et de Génie Biotechnologique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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8
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Tavakoli Taba S, Arhatari BD, Nesterets YI, Gadomkar Z, Mayo SC, Thompson D, Fox J, Kumar B, Prodanovic Z, Hausermann D, Maksimenko A, Hall C, Dimmock M, Pavlov KM, Lockie D, Gity M, Peele A, Quiney HM, Lewis S, Gureyev TE, Brennan PC. Propagation-Based Phase-Contrast CT of the Breast Demonstrates Higher Quality Than Conventional Absorption-Based CT Even at Lower Radiation Dose. Acad Radiol 2021; 28:e20-e26. [PMID: 32035759 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Propagation-based phase-contrast CT (PB-CT) is an advanced X-ray imaging technology that exploits both refraction and absorption of the transmitted X-ray beam. This study was aimed at optimizing the experimental conditions of PB-CT for breast cancer imaging and examined its performance relative to conventional absorption-based CT (AB-CT) in terms of image quality and radiation dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surgically excised breast mastectomy specimens (n = 12) were scanned using both PB-CT and AB-CT techniques under varying imaging conditions. To evaluate the radiological image quality, visual grading characteristics (VGC) analysis was used in which 11 breast specialist radiologists compared the overall image quality of PB-CT images with respect to the corresponding AB-CT images. The area under the VGC curve was calculated to measure the differences between PB-CT and AB-CT images. RESULTS The highest radiological quality was obtained for PB-CT images using a 32 keV energy X-ray beam and by applying the Homogeneous Transport of Intensity Equation phase retrieval with the value of its parameter γ set to one-half of the theoretically optimal value for the given materials. Using these optimized conditions, the image quality of PB-CT images obtained at 4 mGy and 2 mGy mean glandular dose was significantly higher than AB-CT images at 4 mGy (AUCVGC = 0.901, p = 0.001 and AUCVGC = 0.819, p = 0.011, respectively). CONCLUSION PB-CT achieves a higher radiological image quality compared to AB-CT even at a considerably lower mean glandular dose. Successful translation of the PB-CT technique for breast cancer imaging can potentially result in improved breast cancer diagnosis.
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Omoumi FH, Ghani MU, Wong MD, Li Y, Zheng B, Yan A, Jenkins PA, Wu X, Liu H. The Potential of Utilizing Mid-Energy X-Rays for In-Line Phase Sensitive Breast Cancer Imaging. BIOMEDICAL SPECTROSCOPY AND IMAGING 2020; 9:89-102. [PMID: 34141562 PMCID: PMC8208526 DOI: 10.3233/bsi-200204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to demonstrate the potential of utilizing mid-energy x-rays for in-line phase-sensitive breast cancer imaging by phantom studies. METHODS The midenergy (50-80kV) in-line phase sensitive imaging prototype was used to acquire images of the contrast-detail mammography (CDMAM) phantom, an ACR accreditation phantom, and an acrylic edge phantom. The low-dose mid-energy phase-sensitive images were acquired at 60 kV with a radiation dose of 0.9 mGy, while the high-energy phase-sensitive images were acquired at 90 kV with a radiation dose of 1.2 mGy. The Phase-Attenuation Duality (PAD) principle for soft tissue was used for the phase retrieval. A blind observer study was conducted and paired-sample T-test were performed to compare the mean differences in the two imaging systems. RESULTS The correct detection ratio for the CDMAM phantom for phase-contrast images acquired by the low-dose mid-energy system was 56.91%, whereas images acquired by the high-energy system correctly revealed only 40.97% of discs. The correct detection ratios were 57.88% and 43.41% for phase-retrieved images acquired by the low-dose mid-energy and high-energy imaging systems, respectively. The reading scores for all three groups of objects in the ACR phantom were higher for the mid energy imaging system as compared to the high-energy system for both phase-contrast and phase- retrieved images. The calculated edge enhancement index (EEI) from the acrylic edge phantom image for the mid-energy system was higher than that calculated for the high-energy imaging system. The quantitative analyses showed a higher Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR) as well as a higher Figure of Merit (FOM) in images acquired by the low-dose mid-energy imaging system. CONCLUSION The PAD based retrieval method can be applied in mid-energy system without remarkably affecting the image quality, and in fact, it improves the lesion detectability with a patient dose saving of 25%.
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Affiliation(s)
- F H Omoumi
- Advanced Medical Imaging Center and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, U.S.A
| | - M U Ghani
- Advanced Medical Imaging Center and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, U.S.A
| | - M D Wong
- Advanced Medical Imaging Center and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, U.S.A
| | - Y Li
- Advanced Medical Imaging Center and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, U.S.A
| | - B Zheng
- Advanced Medical Imaging Center and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, U.S.A
| | - A Yan
- Department of Radiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35249, U.S.A
| | - P A Jenkins
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Science, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake- City, UT 74132, U.S.A
| | - X Wu
- Department of Radiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35249, U.S.A
| | - H Liu
- Advanced Medical Imaging Center and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, U.S.A
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10
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Zboray R. Optimizing and applying high-resolution, in-line laboratory phase-contrast X-ray imaging for low-density material samples. J Microsc 2020; 282:123-135. [PMID: 33219697 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.12986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In-line, or propagation-based phase-contrast X-ray imaging (PBI) is an attractive alternative to the attenuation-based modality for low-density, soft samples showing low attenuation contrast. With the growing availability of micro- and nano-focus X-ray tubes, the method is increasingly applied in the laboratory. Here, we discuss the technique and demonstrate its advantages for selected low-density, low attenuation material samples using a lab-based micro- and nano-computed tomography systems Easytom XL Ultra, providing micron and sub-micron range resolution PBI images. We demonstrate a multi-step optimization of the lab-based PBI technique on our scanner that includes choosing the optimal detector-source hardware combination available in the setup, then optimizing the imaging geometry and finally the phase retrieval process through a parametric study. We point out and elaborate on the effect of noise correlation and texturing due to phase retrieval. We demonstrate the overall benefits of using the phase image and the phase retrieval for the selected samples such as improved image quality, increased contrast-to-noise ratio while only marginally influencing the spatial resolution. The improvement in image quality also enables further image processing steps for detailed structural analysis of the samples, which would be much more complicated if not impossible based on the transmission image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Zboray
- Center for X-ray Analytics, Department Materials Meet Life, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technology, Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf, Switzerland
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11
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Gureyev TE, Paganin DM, Arhatari B, Taba ST, Lewis S, Brennan PC, Quiney HM. Dark-field signal extraction in propagation-based phase-contrast imaging. Phys Med Biol 2020; 65:215029. [PMID: 32756030 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abac9d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A method for extracting the dark-field signal in propagation-based phase-contrast imaging is proposed. In the case of objects consisting predominantly of a single material, or several different materials with similar ratios of the real decrement to the imaginary part of the complex refractive index, the proposed method requires a single image for extraction of the dark-field signal in two-dimensional projection imaging. In the case of three-dimensional tomographic imaging, the method needs only one image to be collected at each projection angle. Initial examples using simulated and experimental data indicate that this method can improve visualization of small sharp features inside a larger object, e.g. the visualization of microcalcifications in propagation-based x-ray breast cancer imaging. It is suggested that the proposed approach may be useful in other forms of biomedical imaging, where it can help one to obtain additional small-angle scattering information without increasing the radiation dose to the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Gureyev
- School of Physics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia. Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe 2141, Australia. School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Australia. School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale 2351, Australia
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12
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Functional lung imaging with synchrotron radiation: Methods and preclinical applications. Phys Med 2020; 79:22-35. [PMID: 33070047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Many lung disease processes are characterized by structural and functional heterogeneity that is not directly appreciable with traditional physiological measurements. Experimental methods and lung function modeling to study regional lung function are crucial for better understanding of disease mechanisms and for targeting treatment. Synchrotron radiation offers useful properties to this end: coherence, utilized in phase-contrast imaging, and high flux and a wide energy spectrum which allow the selection of very narrow energy bands of radiation, thus allowing imaging at very specific energies. K-edge subtraction imaging (KES) has thus been developed at synchrotrons for both human and small animal imaging. The unique properties of synchrotron radiation extend X-ray computed tomography (CT) capabilities to quantitatively assess lung morphology, and also to map regional lung ventilation, perfusion, inflammation and biomechanical properties, with microscopic spatial resolution. Four-dimensional imaging, allows the investigation of the dynamics of regional lung functional parameters simultaneously with structural deformation of the lung as a function of time. This review summarizes synchrotron radiation imaging methods and overviews examples of its application in the study of disease mechanisms in preclinical animal models, as well as the potential for clinical translation both through the knowledge gained using these techniques and transfer of imaging technology to laboratory X-ray sources.
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Zverev D, Snigireva I, Kohn V, Kuznetsov S, Yunkin V, Snigirev A. X-ray phase-sensitive imaging using a bilens interferometer based on refractive optics. OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 28:21856-21868. [PMID: 32752459 DOI: 10.1364/oe.389940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The phase-sensitive X-ray imaging technique based on the bilens interferometer is developed. The essence of the method consists of scanning a sample, which is set upstream of the bilens across the beam of one lens of the interferometer by recording changes in the interference pattern using a high-resolution image detector. The proposed approach allows acquiring the absolute value of a phase shift profile of the sample with a fairly high phase and spatial resolution. The possibilities of the imaging technique were studied theoretically and experimentally using fibres with different sizes as the test samples at the ESRF ID06 beamline with 12 keV X-rays. The corresponding phase shift profile reconstructions and computer simulations were performed. The experimental results are fully consistent with theoretical concepts and appropriate numerical calculations. Applications of the interferometric imaging technique are discussed, as well as future improvements.
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14
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Begani Provinciali G, Pieroni N, Bukreeva I, Fratini M, Massimi L, Maugeri L, Palermo F, Bardelli F, Mittone A, Bravin A, Gigli G, Gentile F, Fossaghi A, Riva N, Quattrini A, Cedola A. X-ray phase contrast tomography for the investigation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2020; 27:1042-1048. [PMID: 33566014 PMCID: PMC7336179 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577520006785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor neurons. Pre-clinical studies drive the development of animal models that well mimic ALS disorder and enable both the dissection of disease processes and an early assessment of therapy efficacy. A comprehensive knowledge of neuronal and vascular lesions in the brain and spinal cord is an essential factor to understand the development of the disease. Spatial resolution and bidimensional imaging are important drawbacks limiting current neuroimaging tools, while neuropathology relies on protocols that may alter tissue chemistry and structure. In contrast, recent ex vivo studies in mice demonstrated that X-ray phase-contrast tomography enables study of the 3D distribution of both vasculature and neuronal networks, without sample sectioning or use of staining. Here we present our findings on ex vivo SOD1G93A ALS mice spinal cord at a micrometric scale. An unprecedented direct quantification of neuro-vascular alterations at different stages of the disease is shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ginevra Begani Provinciali
- Physics Department ‘Sapienza’ University, CNR-Institute of Nanotechnology, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Laboratoire d’Optique Appliquée, ENSTA Paris Tech, 828 Boulevard des Maréchaux, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Nicola Pieroni
- Physics Department ‘Sapienza’ University, CNR-Institute of Nanotechnology, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Inna Bukreeva
- Physics Department ‘Sapienza’ University, CNR-Institute of Nanotechnology, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Fratini
- Physics Department ‘Sapienza’ University, CNR-Institute of Nanotechnology, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Massimi
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Maugeri
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Palermo
- Physics Department ‘Sapienza’ University, CNR-Institute of Nanotechnology, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università della Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 31 C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bardelli
- Physics Department ‘Sapienza’ University, CNR-Institute of Nanotechnology, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Mittone
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Alberto Bravin
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- CNR Nanotec, Institute of Nanotechnology, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Universita’ del Salento, via Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Francesco Gentile
- Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Fossaghi
- Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Cedola
- Physics Department ‘Sapienza’ University, CNR-Institute of Nanotechnology, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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15
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Chen Y, Hagen CK, Olivo A, Anastasio MA. A partial-dithering strategy for edge-illumination x-ray phase-contrast tomography enabled by a joint reconstruction method. Phys Med Biol 2020; 65:105007. [PMID: 31896094 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab66e2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Edge-illumination x-ray phase-contrast tomography (EIXPCT) is a promising imaging technology where partially opaque masks are utilized with laboratory-based x-ray sources to estimate the distribution of the complex-valued refractive index. EIXPCT resolution is mainly determined by the period of a sample mask, but can be significantly improved by a dithering technique. Here, dithering means that multiple images per tomographic view angle are acquired as the object is moved over sub-pixel distances. Drawbacks of dithering include increased data-acquisition times and radiation doses. Motivated by the flexibility in data-acquisition designs enabled by a recently developed joint reconstruction method, a novel partial-dithering strategy for EIXPCT data-acquisition is proposed. In this strategy, dithering is implemented at only a subset of the tomographic view angles. The strategy can result in spatial resolution comparable to that of the conventional full-dithering strategy, where dithering is performed at every view angle, but the acquisition time is substantially decreased. Here, the effect of dithering parameters on image resolution is explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St Louis, Campus Box 1097, One Brookings Drive, St Louis, MO, 63130, United States of America
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16
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Buchanan I, Mittone A, Bravin A, Diemoz P, Endrizzi M, Olivo A. Simplified retrieval method for Edge Illumination X-ray phase contrast imaging allowing multi-modal imaging with fewer input frames. OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 28:11597-11608. [PMID: 32403667 DOI: 10.1364/oe.372312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We present data from an implementation of Edge Illumination (EI) that uses a detector aperture designed for increasing dynamic range, suitable for clinically relevant X-ray energies and demonstrated here using synchrotron radiation. By utilising a sufficiently large crosstalk between pixels, this implementation enables single-scan imaging for phase and absorption, and double-scan for phase, absorption and dark field imaging. The presence of the detector mask enables a direct comparison between conventional EI and beam tracking (BT), which we conduct through Monte Carlo and analytical modelling in the case of a single-scan being used for the retrieval of all three contrasts. In the present case, where the X-ray beam width is comparable to the pixel size, we provide an analysis on best-positioning of the beam on the detector for accurate signal retrieval. Further, we demonstrate an application of this method by distinguishing different concentrations of microbubbles via their dark field signals at high energy using an EI system.
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17
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Chen Y, Zhou W, Hagen CK, Olivo A, Anastasio MA. Comparison of data-acquisition designs for single-shot edge-illumination X-ray phase-contrast tomography. OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 28:1-19. [PMID: 32118936 PMCID: PMC7053502 DOI: 10.1364/oe.28.000001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Edge-illumination X-ray phase-contrast tomography (EIXPCT) is an emerging technique that enables practical phase-contrast imaging with laboratory-based X-ray sources. A joint reconstruction method was proposed for reconstructing EIXPCT images, enabling novel flexible data-acquisition designs. However, only limited efforts have been devoted to optimizing data-acquisition designs for use with the joint reconstruction method. In this study, several promising designs are introduced, such as the constant aperture position (CAP) strategy and the alternating aperture position (AAP) strategy covering different angular ranges. In computer-simulation studies, these designs are analyzed and compared. Experimental data are employed to test the designs in real-world applications. All candidate designs are also compared for their implementation complexity. The tradeoff between data-acquisition time and image quality is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Chen
- Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Campus Box 1097, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Weimin Zhou
- Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, Campus Box 1097, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Charlotte K. Hagen
- University College London, Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Malet Place, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alessandro Olivo
- University College London, Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Malet Place, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Mark A. Anastasio
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Bioengineering, 1102 Everitt Lab MC 278, 1406 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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18
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Rühr PT, Lambertz M. Surface contrast enhancement of integumentary structures in X-ray tomography. J Anat 2019; 235:379-385. [PMID: 31062353 PMCID: PMC6637458 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography (μCT) has become standard in the biological sciences to reconstruct, display and analyse 3D models of all kinds of organisms. However, it is often impossible to capture fine details of the surface and the internal anatomy at the same time with sufficient contrast. Here we introduce a new approach for the selective contrast-enhancement of integumentary surface structures. The method relies on conventional and readily available sputter coaters to cover the entire sample with a thin layer of gold atoms. This approach proved successful on a diverse array of plants and animals. On average, we achieved a 14.48-fold gain of surface contrast (ranging from 2.42-fold to 86.93-fold) compared with untreated specimens. Even X-ray-transparent samples such as spider silk became accessible via μCT. This selective contrast-enhancement, makes it possible to digitally reconstruct fine surface structures with low absorbance while the tissue-dependent grey value resolution of the inner anatomy is maintained and remains fully visualisable. The methodology is suited for a broad scientific application across biology and other sciences employing (μ)CT, as well as educative and public outreach purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T Rühr
- Institut für Zoologie, Universität zu Köln, Cologne, Germany.,Zentrum für Molekulare Biodiversitätsforschung, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus Lambertz
- Institut für Zoologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Sektion Herpetologie, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
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19
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Cao Y, Zhang M, Ding H, Chen Z, Tang B, Wu T, Xiao B, Duan C, Ni S, Jiang L, Luo Z, Li C, Zhao J, Liao S, Yin X, Fu Y, Xiao T, Lu H, Hu J. Synchrotron radiation micro-tomography for high-resolution neurovascular network morphology investigation. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2019; 26:607-618. [PMID: 31074423 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519003060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
There has been increasing interest in using high-resolution micro-tomography to investigate the morphology of neurovascular networks in the central nervous system, which remain difficult to characterize due to their microscopic size as well as their delicate and complex 3D structure. Synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging, which has emerged as a cutting-edge imaging technology with a high spatial resolution, provides a novel platform for the non-destructive imaging of microvasculature networks at a sub-micrometre scale. When coupled with computed tomography, this technique allows the characterization of the 3D morphology of vasculature. The current review focuses on recent progress in developing synchrotron radiation methodology and its application in probing neurovascular networks, especially the pathological changes associated with vascular abnormalities in various model systems. Furthermore, this tool represents a powerful imaging modality that improves our understanding of the complex biological interactions between vascular function and neuronal activity in both physiological and pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Ding
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuohui Chen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianding Wu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyue Duan
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangfei Ni
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyuan Jiang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixiang Luo
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengjun Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyun Zhao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenghui Liao
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianzhen Yin
- Center for Drug Delivery System, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20203, People's Republic of China
| | - Yalan Fu
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility/Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 21204, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiqiao Xiao
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility/Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 21204, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China
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20
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Smieska LM, Twilley J, Woll AR, Schafer M, Marcereau DeGalan A. Energy-optimized synchrotron XRF mapping of an obscured painting beneath Exit from the Theater, attributed to Honoré Daumier. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.01.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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21
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Talbot-Lau x-ray phase-contrast setup for fast scanning of large samples. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4199. [PMID: 30862865 PMCID: PMC6414610 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38030-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Compared to conventional attenuation x-ray radiographic imaging, the x-ray Talbot-Lau technique provides further information about the scattering and the refractive properties of the object in the beam path. Hence, this additional information should improve the diagnostic process concerning medical applications and non-destructive testing. Nevertheless, until now, due to grating fabrication process, Talbot-Lau imaging suffers from small grating sizes (70 mm diameter). This leads to long acquisition times for imaging large objects. Stitching the gratings is one solution. Another one consists of scanning Talbot-Lau setups. In this publication, we present a compact and very fast scanning setup which enables imaging of large samples. With this setup a maximal scanning velocity of 71.7 mm/s is possible. A resolution of 4.1 lines/mm can be achieved. No complex alignment procedures are necessary while the field of view comprises 17.5 × 150 cm2. An improved reconstruction algorithm concerning the scanning approach, which increases robustness with respect to mechanical instabilities, has been developed and is presented. The resolution of the setup in dependence of the scanning velocity is evaluated. The setup imaging qualities are demonstrated using a human knee ex-vivo as an example for a high absorbing human sample.
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22
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Baran P, Mayo S, McCormack M, Pacile S, Tromba G, Dullin C, Zanconati F, Arfelli F, Dreossi D, Fox J, Prodanovic Z, Cholewa M, Quiney H, Dimmock M, Nesterets Y, Thompson D, Brennan P, Gureyev T. High-Resolution X-Ray Phase-Contrast 3-D Imaging of Breast Tissue Specimens as a Possible Adjunct to Histopathology. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING 2018; 37:2642-2650. [PMID: 29994112 DOI: 10.1109/tmi.2018.2845905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Histopathological analysis is the current gold standard in breast cancer diagnosis and management, however, as imaging technology improves, the amount of potential diagnostic information that may be demonstrable radiologically should also increase. We aimed to evaluate the potential clinical usefulness of 3-D phase-contrast micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging at high spatial resolutions as an adjunct to conventional histological microscopy. Ten breast tissue specimens, 2 mm in diameter, were scanned at the SYRMEP beamline of the Elettra Synchrotron using the propagation-based phase-contrast micro-tomography method. We obtained pixel size images, which were analyzed and compared with corresponding histological sections examined under light microscopy. To evaluate the effect of spatial resolution on breast cancer diagnosis, scans with four different pixel sizes were also performed. Our comparative analysis revealed that high-resolution images can enable, at a near-histological level, detailed architectural assessment of tissue that may permit increased breast cancer diagnostic sensitivity and specificity when compared with current imaging practices. The potential clinical applications of this method are also discussed.
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23
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Trachet B, Lovric G, Villanueva-Perez P, Aslanidou L, Ferraro M, Logghe G, Stergiopulos N, Segers P. Synchrotron-based phase contrast imaging of cardiovascular tissue in mice—grating interferometry or phase propagation? Biomed Phys Eng Express 2018. [DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/aaeb65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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24
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Yoneyama A, Hyodo K, Baba R, Takeya S, Takeda T. Feasibility study of phase-contrast X-ray laminography using X-ray interferometry. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2018; 25:1841-1846. [PMID: 30407197 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577518013826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
For fine observation of laminar samples, phase-contrast X-ray laminography using X-ray interferometry was developed. An imaging system fitted with a two-crystal X-ray interferometer was used to perform the observations, and the sectional images were calculated by a three-dimensional iterative reconstruction method. Obtained images of an old flat slab of limestone from the Carnic Alps depicted fusulinids in the Carboniferous period with 3 mg cm-3 density resolution, and those of carbon paper used for a fuel-cell battery displayed the inner fibrous structures clearly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akio Yoneyama
- SAGA Light Source, 8-7 Yayoigaoka, Tosu, Saga 841-0005, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Hyodo
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Rika Baba
- Research and Development Group, Hitachi Ltd, 1-280 Higashi-koigakubo, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-8601, Japan
| | - Satoshi Takeya
- Research Institute for Material and Chemical Measurement, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Tohoru Takeda
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
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25
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Pacilè S, Baran P, Dullin C, Dimmock M, Lockie D, Missbach-Guntner J, Quiney H, McCormack M, Mayo S, Thompson D, Nesterets Y, Hall C, Pavlov K, Prodanovic Z, Tonutti M, Accardo A, Fox J, Tavakoli Taba S, Lewis S, Brennan P, Hausermann D, Tromba G, Gureyev T. Advantages of breast cancer visualization and characterization using synchrotron radiation phase-contrast tomography. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2018; 25:1460-1466. [PMID: 30179186 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577518010172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to highlight the advantages that propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (PB-CT) with synchrotron radiation can provide in breast cancer diagnostics. For the first time, a fresh and intact mastectomy sample from a 60 year old patient was scanned on the IMBL beamline at the Australian Synchrotron in PB-CT mode and reconstructed. The clinical picture was described and characterized by an experienced breast radiologist, who underlined the advantages of providing diagnosis on a PB-CT volume rather than conventional two-dimensional modalities. Subsequently, the image quality was assessed by 11 breast radiologists and medical imaging experts using a radiological scoring system. The results indicate that, with the radiation dose delivered to the sample being equal, the accuracy of a diagnosis made on PB-CT images is significantly higher than one using conventional techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Pacilè
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Patrycja Baran
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Matthew Dimmock
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Darren Lockie
- Maroondah BreastScreen, Ringwood East 3135, Australia
| | - Jeannine Missbach-Guntner
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Harry Quiney
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Sheridan Mayo
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, Australia
| | - Darren Thompson
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, Australia
| | - Yakov Nesterets
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | - Chris Hall
- Australian Synchrotron, Clayton, Australia
| | - Konstantin Pavlov
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | | | - Maura Tonutti
- Department of Radiology, Academic Hospital of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Agostino Accardo
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jane Fox
- Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
| | - Seyedamir Tavakoli Taba
- Medical Image Optimisation and Perception Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Lewis
- Medical Image Optimisation and Perception Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Patrick Brennan
- Medical Image Optimisation and Perception Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Tim Gureyev
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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26
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X-Ray Phase-Contrast Technology in Breast Imaging: Principles, Options, and Clinical Application. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2018; 211:133-145. [DOI: 10.2214/ajr.17.19179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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27
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A Shack-Hartmann Sensor for Single-Shot Multi-Contrast Imaging with Hard X-rays. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/app8050737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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28
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Improved Reconstruction Technique for Moiré Imaging Using an X-Ray Phase-Contrast Talbot–Lau Interferometer. J Imaging 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/jimaging4050062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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29
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Baran P, Pacile S, Nesterets YI, Mayo SC, Dullin C, Dreossi D, Arfelli F, Thompson D, Lockie D, McCormack M, Taba ST, Brun F, Pinamonti M, Nickson C, Hall C, Dimmock M, Zanconati F, Cholewa M, Quiney H, Brennan PC, Tromba G, Gureyev TE. Optimization of propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography for breast cancer imaging. Phys Med Biol 2017; 62:2315-2332. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aa5d3d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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30
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Hirano K, Takahashi Y, Hyodo K, Kimura M. X-ray analyzer-based phase-contrast computed laminography. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2016; 23:1484-1489. [PMID: 27787254 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577516014831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
X-ray analyzer-based phase-contrast imaging is combined with computed laminography for imaging regions of interest in laterally extended flat specimens of weak absorption contrast. The optics discussed here consist of an asymmetrically cut collimator crystal and a symmetrically cut analyzer crystal arranged in a nondispersive (+, -) diffraction geometry. A generalized algorithm is given for calculating multi-contrast (absorption, refraction and phase contrast) images of a sample. Basic formulae are also presented for laminographic reconstruction. The feasibility of the method discussed was verified at the vertical wiggler beamline BL-14B of the Photon Factory. At a wavelength of 0.0733 nm, phase-contrast sectional images of plastic beads were successfully obtained. Owing to strong circular artifacts caused by a sample holder, the field of view was limited to about 6 mm in diameter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Hirano
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1, Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Yumiko Takahashi
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1, Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Hyodo
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1, Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Masao Kimura
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1, Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
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Seifert M, Kaeppler S, Hauke C, Horn F, Pelzer G, Rieger J, Michel T, Riess C, Anton G. Optimisation of image reconstruction for phase-contrast x-ray Talbot–Lau imaging with regard to mechanical robustness. Phys Med Biol 2016; 61:6441-64. [DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/61/17/6441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Kashyap Y, Wang H, Sawhney K. Experimental comparison between speckle and grating-based imaging technique using synchrotron radiation X-rays. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:18664-18673. [PMID: 27505829 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.018664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
X-ray phase contrast and dark-field imaging techniques provide important and complementary information that is inaccessible to the conventional absorption contrast imaging. Both grating-based imaging (GBI) and speckle-based imaging (SBI) are able to retrieve multi-modal images using synchrotron as well as lab-based sources. However, no systematic comparison has been made between the two techniques so far. We present an experimental comparison between GBI and SBI techniques with synchrotron radiation X-ray source. Apart from the simple experimental setup, we find SBI does not suffer from the issue of phase unwrapping, which can often be problematic for GBI. In addition, SBI is also superior to GBI since two orthogonal differential phase gradients can be simultaneously extracted by one dimensional scan. The GBI has less stringent requirements for detector pixel size and transverse coherence length when a second or third grating can be used. This study provides the reference for choosing the most suitable technique for diverse imaging applications at synchrotron facility.
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Diemoz PC, Vittoria FA, Olivo A. Concept of contrast transfer function for edge illumination x-ray phase-contrast imaging and its comparison with the free-space propagation technique. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:11250-11265. [PMID: 27409946 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.011250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies on edge illumination (EI) X-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCi) have investigated the nature and amplitude of the signal provided by this technique. However, the response of the imaging system to different object spatial frequencies was never explicitly considered and studied. This is required in order to predict the performance of a given EI setup for different classes of objects. To this scope, in the present work we derive analytical expressions for the contrast transfer function of an EI imaging system, using the approximation of near-field regime, and study its dependence upon the main experimental parameters. We then exploit these results to compare the frequency response of an EI system with respect of that of a free-space propagation XPCi one. The results achieved in this work can be useful for predicting the signals obtainable for different types of objects and also as a basis for new retrieval methods.
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Astolfo A, Lathuilière A, Laversenne V, Schneider B, Stampanoni M. Amyloid-β plaque deposition measured using propagation-based X-ray phase contrast CT imaging. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2016; 23:813-9. [PMID: 27140162 PMCID: PMC5315008 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577516004045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid beta accumulation into insoluble plaques (Aβp) is known to play a significant role in the pathological process in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The presence of Aβp is also one of the neuropathological hallmarks for the disease. AD final diagnosis is generally acknowledged after the evaluation of Aβp deposition in the brain. Insoluble Aβp accumulation may also concur to cause AD as postulated in the so-called amyloid hypothesis. Therefore, the visualization, evaluation and quantification of Aβp are nowadays the keys for a better understanding of the disease, which may point to a possible cure for AD in the near future. Synchrotron-based X-ray phase contrast (XPC) has been demonstrated as the only imaging method that can retrieve the Aβp signal with high spatial resolution (up to 10 µm), high sensitivity and three-dimensional information at the same time. Although at the moment XPC is suitable for ex vivo samples only, it may develop into an alternative to positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in Aβp imaging. In this contribution the possibility of using synchrotron-based X-ray phase propagation computed tomography to visualize and measure Aβp on mouse brains is presented. A careful setup optimization for this application leads to a significant improvement of spatial resolution (∼1 µm), data acquisition speed (five times faster), X-ray dose (five times lower) and setup complexity, without a substantial loss in sensitivity when compared with the classic implementation of grating-based X-ray interferometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Astolfo
- TOMCAT Beamline, Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Lathuilière
- Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Laversenne
- Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Schneider
- Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Marco Stampanoni
- TOMCAT Beamline, Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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35
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Li P, Zhang K, Bao Y, Ren Y, Ju Z, Wang Y, He Q, Zhu Z, Huang W, Yuan Q, Zhu P. Angular signal radiography. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:5829-5845. [PMID: 27136780 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.005829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Microscopy techniques using visible photons, x-rays, neutrons, and electrons have made remarkable impact in many scientific disciplines. The microscopic data can often be expressed as the convolution of the spatial distribution of certain properties of the specimens and the inherent response function of the imaging system. The x-ray grating interferometer (XGI), which is sensitive to the deviation angle of the incoming x-rays, has attracted significant attention in the past years due to its capability in achieving x-ray phase contrast imaging with low brilliance source. However, the comprehensive and analytical theoretical framework is yet to be presented. Herein, we propose a theoretical framework termed angular signal radiography (ASR) to describe the imaging process of the XGI system in a classical, comprehensive and analytical manner. We demonstrated, by means of theoretical deduction and synchrotron based experiments, that the spatial distribution of specimens' physical properties, including absorption, refraction and scattering, can be extracted by ASR in XGI. Implementation of ASR in XGI offers advantages such as simplified phase retrieval algorithm, reduced overall radiation dose, and improved image acquisition speed. These advantages, as well as the limitations of the proposed method, are systematically investigated in this paper.
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Wang H, Kashyap Y, Sawhney K. From synchrotron radiation to lab source: advanced speckle-based X-ray imaging using abrasive paper. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20476. [PMID: 26847921 PMCID: PMC4742822 DOI: 10.1038/srep20476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray phase and dark-field imaging techniques provide complementary and inaccessible information compared to conventional X-ray absorption or visible light imaging. However, such methods typically require sophisticated experimental apparatus or X-ray beams with specific properties. Recently, an X-ray speckle-based technique has shown great potential for X-ray phase and dark-field imaging using a simple experimental arrangement. However, it still suffers from either poor resolution or the time consuming process of collecting a large number of images. To overcome these limitations, in this report we demonstrate that absorption, dark-field, phase contrast, and two orthogonal differential phase contrast images can simultaneously be generated by scanning a piece of abrasive paper in only one direction. We propose a novel theoretical approach to quantitatively extract the above five images by utilising the remarkable properties of speckles. Importantly, the technique has been extended from a synchrotron light source to utilise a lab-based microfocus X-ray source and flat panel detector. Removing the need to raster the optics in two directions significantly reduces the acquisition time and absorbed dose, which can be of vital importance for many biological samples. This new imaging method could potentially provide a breakthrough for numerous practical imaging applications in biomedical research and materials science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchang Wang
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Yogesh Kashyap
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Kawal Sawhney
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
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Bidola PM, Zanette I, Achterhold K, Holzner C, Pfeiffer F. Optimization of propagation-based phase-contrast imaging at a laboratory setup. OPTICS EXPRESS 2015; 23:30000-30013. [PMID: 26698481 DOI: 10.1364/oe.23.030000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Single distance X-ray propagation-based phase-contrast imaging is considered as a simple method compared to those requiring additional precise instruments and sophisticated algorithms to retrieve phase images. It requires, however, a modicum of conditions within the setup which include partial coherence and small pixel size at the sample position. While these conditions are usually satisfied at synchrotron light sources, they are not always satisfied within laboratory setups. In fact, these setups are limited by the size of the polychromatic source that directly influences the partial coherence of the beam, the propagation distance and the photon flux. A prior knowledge of the sample refractive index, namely the ratio of delta (δ) and beta (β) values, are also essential for the phase retrieval but this method is powerful in the presence of noise compared to absorption-based imaging. An investigation of the feasibility and the efficient applicability of this method in a commercially available X-ray microscope is conducted in this work.
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38
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Lussani FC, Vescovi RFDC, de Souza TD, Leite CAP, Giles C. A versatile x-ray microtomography station for biomedical imaging and materials research. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2015; 86:063705. [PMID: 26133842 DOI: 10.1063/1.4922607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
An x-ray microtomography station implemented at the X-ray Applied Crystallography Laboratory of the State University of Campinas is described. The station is based on a propagation based phase contrast imaging setup with a microfocus source and digital x-ray area detectors. Due to its simplicity, this setup is ideal for fast, high resolution imaging and microtomography of small biological specimens and materials research samples. It can also be coupled to gratings to use and develop new techniques as the harmonic spatial coherent imaging, which allow scattering contrast imaging. Details of the experimental setup, equipment, and software integration are described. Test microtomography for setup commissioning and characterization is shown. We conclude that phase contrast enhanced x-ray imaging and microtomography with resolution below 5 μm voxel size are possible and data sets as wide as 2000 × 2000 × 2000 voxels are obtained with this instrumentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Cesar Lussani
- Instituto de Física "Gleb Wataghin," Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-859, Brazil
| | | | - Thaís Diniz de Souza
- Instituto de Física "Gleb Wataghin," Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-859, Brazil
| | - Carlos A P Leite
- Instituto de Física "Gleb Wataghin," Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-859, Brazil
| | - Carlos Giles
- Instituto de Física "Gleb Wataghin," Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-859, Brazil
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Pelliccia D, Vaz R, Svalbe I, Morgan KS, Marathe S, Xiao X, Assoufid L, Anderson RA, Topczewski J, Bryson-Richardson RJ. Comparison of different numerical treatments for x-ray phase tomography of soft tissue from differential phase projections. Phys Med Biol 2015; 60:3065-80. [PMID: 25802946 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/60/8/3065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
X-ray imaging of soft tissue is made difficult by their low absorbance. The use of x-ray phase imaging and tomography can significantly enhance the detection of these tissues and several approaches have been proposed to this end. Methods such as analyzer-based imaging or grating interferometry produce differential phase projections that can be used to reconstruct the 3D distribution of the sample refractive index. We report on the quantitative comparison of three different methods to obtain x-ray phase tomography with filtered back-projection from differential phase projections in the presence of noise. The three procedures represent different numerical approaches to solve the same mathematical problem, namely phase retrieval and filtered back-projection. It is found that obtaining individual phase projections and subsequently applying a conventional filtered back-projection algorithm produces the best results for noisy experimental data, when compared with other procedures based on the Hilbert transform. The algorithms are tested on simulated phantom data with added noise and the predictions are confirmed by experimental data acquired using a grating interferometer. The experiment is performed on unstained adult zebrafish, an important model organism for biomedical studies. The method optimization described here allows resolution of weak soft tissue features, such as muscle fibers.
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40
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A dictionary learning approach with overlap for the low dose computed tomography reconstruction and its vectorial application to differential phase tomography. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114325. [PMID: 25531987 PMCID: PMC4274000 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray based Phase-Contrast Imaging (PCI) techniques have been demonstrated to enhance the visualization of soft tissues in comparison to conventional imaging methods. Nevertheless the delivered dose as reported in the literature of biomedical PCI applications often equals or exceeds the limits prescribed in clinical diagnostics. The optimization of new computed tomography strategies which include the development and implementation of advanced image reconstruction procedures is thus a key aspect. In this scenario, we implemented a dictionary learning method with a new form of convex functional. This functional contains in addition to the usual sparsity inducing and fidelity terms, a new term which forces similarity between overlapping patches in the superimposed regions. The functional depends on two free regularization parameters: a coefficient multiplying the sparsity-inducing L1 norm of the patch basis functions coefficients, and a coefficient multiplying the L2 norm of the differences between patches in the overlapping regions. The solution is found by applying the iterative proximal gradient descent method with FISTA acceleration. The gradient is computed by calculating projection of the solution and its error backprojection at each iterative step. We study the quality of the solution, as a function of the regularization parameters and noise, on synthetic data for which the solution is a-priori known. We apply the method on experimental data in the case of Differential Phase Tomography. For this case we use an original approach which consists in using vectorial patches, each patch having two components: one per each gradient component. The resulting algorithm, implemented in the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility tomography reconstruction code PyHST, has proven to be efficient and well-adapted to strongly reduce the required dose and the number of projections in medical tomography.
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41
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Brun E, Grandl S, Sztrókay-Gaul A, Barbone G, Mittone A, Gasilov S, Bravin A, Coan P. Breast tumor segmentation in high resolution x-ray phase contrast analyzer based computed tomography. Med Phys 2014; 41:111902. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4896124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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42
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Diemoz PC, Vittoria FA, Olivo A. Spatial resolution of edge illumination X-ray phase-contrast imaging. OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 22:15514-29. [PMID: 24977810 DOI: 10.1364/oe.22.015514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We analyze the spatial resolution of edge illumination X-ray phase-contrast imaging and its dependence upon various experimental parameters such as source size, source-to-sample and sample-to-detector distances, X-ray energy and size of the beam-shaping aperture. Different propagation regimes, as well as the beam divergence and polychromaticity encountered with laboratory sources, are also considered. We show that spatial resolution in edge illumination phase-contrast imaging presents peculiar features compared to other X-ray phase-contrast techniques. In particular, in the direction orthogonal to the s or mask lines used to shape the beam, this can be better than both the pixel dimension and the projected source size. Numerical simulations based on Fresnel diffraction integrals are presented, which confirm the analytical predictions. The obtained results allow a simple estimation of the spatial resolution for edge-illumination phase imaging in both synchrotron and laboratory setups.
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Diemoz PC, Endrizzi M, Bravin A, Robinson IK, Olivo A. Sensitivity of edge illumination X-ray phase-contrast imaging. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2014; 372:20130128. [PMID: 24470420 PMCID: PMC3900038 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2013.0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we developed a theoretical model that can predict the signal-to-noise ratio for edge-like features in phase-contrast images. This model was then applied for the estimation of the sensitivity of three different X-ray phase-contrast techniques: propagation-based imaging, analyser-based imaging and grating interferometry. We show here how the same formalism can be used also in the case of the edge illumination (EI) technique, providing results that are consistent with those of a recently developed method for the estimation of noise in the retrieved refraction image. The new model is then applied to calculate, in the case of a given synchrotron radiation set-up, the optimum positions of the pre-sample aperture and detector edge to maximize the sensitivity. Finally, an example of the extremely high angular resolution achievable with the EI technique is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. C. Diemoz
- Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Oxford Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
- e-mail:
| | - M. Endrizzi
- Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - A. Bravin
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble 38043, France
| | - I. K. Robinson
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Oxford Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, London WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - A. Olivo
- Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Oxford Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
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45
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Wilkins SW, Nesterets YI, Gureyev TE, Mayo SC, Pogany A, Stevenson AW. On the evolution and relative merits of hard X-ray phase-contrast imaging methods. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2014; 372:20130021. [PMID: 24470408 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2013.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This review provides a brief overview, albeit from a somewhat personal perspective, of the evolution and key features of various hard X-ray phase-contrast imaging (PCI) methods of current interest in connection with translation to a wide range of imaging applications. Although such methods have already found wide-ranging applications using synchrotron sources, application to dynamic studies in a laboratory/clinical context, for example for in vivo imaging, has been slow due to the current limitations in the brilliance of compact laboratory sources and the availability of suitable high-performance X-ray detectors. On the theoretical side, promising new PCI methods are evolving which can record both components of the phase gradient in a single exposure and which can accept a relatively large spectral bandpass. In order to help to identify the most promising paths forward, we make some suggestions as to how the various PCI methods might be compared for performance with a particular view to identifying those which are the most efficient, given the fact that source performance is currently a key limiting factor on the improved performance and applicability of PCI systems, especially in the context of dynamic sample studies. The rapid ongoing development of both suitable improved sources and detectors gives strong encouragement to the view that hard X-ray PCI methods are poised for improved performance and an even wider range of applications in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- S W Wilkins
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, PB33, Clayton South, Victoria 3169, Australia
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Zhou T, Lundström U, Thüring T, Rutishauser S, Larsson DH, Stampanoni M, David C, Hertz HM, Burvall A. Comparison of two x-ray phase-contrast imaging methods with a microfocus source. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:30183-30195. [PMID: 24514597 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.030183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We present a comparison for high-resolution imaging with a laboratory source between grating-based (GBI) and propagation-based (PBI) x-ray phase-contrast imaging. The comparison is done through simulations and experiments using a liquid-metal-jet x-ray microfocus source. Radiation doses required for detection in projection images are simulated as a function of the diameter of a cylindrical sample. Using monochromatic radiation, simulations show a lower dose requirement for PBI for small object features and a lower dose for GBI for larger object features. Using polychromatic radiation, such as that from a laboratory microfocus source, experiments and simulations show a lower dose requirement for PBI for a large range of feature sizes. Tested on a biological sample, GBI shows higher noise levels than PBI, but its advantage of quantitative refractive index reconstruction for multi-material samples becomes apparent.
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48
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Rositi H, Frindel C, Langer M, Wiart M, Olivier C, Peyrin F, Rousseau D. Information-based analysis of X-ray in-line phase tomography with application to the detection of iron oxide nanoparticles in the brain. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:27185-27196. [PMID: 24216942 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.027185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The study analyzes noise in X-ray in-line phase tomography in a biomedical context. The impact of noise on detection of iron oxide nanoparticles in mouse brain is assessed. The part of the noise due to the imaging system and the part due to biology are quantitatively expressed in a Neyman Pearson detection strategy with two models of noise. This represents a practical extension of previous work on noise in phase-contrast X-ray imaging which focused on the theoretical expression of the signal-to-noise ratio in mono-dimensional phantoms, taking account of the statistical noise of the imaging system only. We also report the impact of the phase retrieval step on detection performance. Taken together, this constitutes a general methodology of practical interest for quantitative extraction of information from X-ray in-line phase tomography, and is also relevant to assessment of contrast agents with a blob-like signature in high resolution imaging.
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Scattarella F, Tangaro S, Modregger P, Stampanoni M, De Caro L, Bellotti R. Post-detection analysis for grating-based ultra-small angle X-ray scattering. Phys Med 2013; 29:478-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2012.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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50
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Pelliccia D, Rigon L, Arfelli F, Menk RH, Bukreeva I, Cedola A. A three-image algorithm for hard x-ray grating interferometry. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:19401-19411. [PMID: 23938856 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.019401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A three-image method to extract absorption, refraction and scattering information for hard x-ray grating interferometry is presented. The method comprises a post-processing approach alternative to the conventional phase stepping procedure and is inspired by a similar three-image technique developed for analyzer-based x-ray imaging. Results obtained with this algorithm are quantitatively comparable with phase-stepping. This method can be further extended to samples with negligible scattering, where only two images are needed to separate absorption and refraction signal. Thanks to the limited number of images required, this technique is a viable route to bio-compatible imaging with x-ray grating interferometer. In addition our method elucidates and strengthens the formal and practical analogies between grating interferometry and the (non-interferometric) diffraction enhanced imaging technique.
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