Accurate image reconstruction from few-views and limited-angle data in divergent-beam CT

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sidky, Emil Y. | Kao, Chien-Min | Pan, Xiaochuan

Affiliations: Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author: E-mail: {sidky, xpan}@uchicago.edu

Abstract: In practical applications of tomographic imaging, there are often challenges for image reconstruction due to under-sampling and insufficient data. In computed tomography (CT), for example, image reconstruction from few views would enable rapid scanning with a reduced x-ray dose delivered to the patient. Limited-angle problems are also of practical significance in CT. In this work, we develop and investigate an iterative image reconstruction algorithm based on the minimization of the image total variation (TV) that applies to divergent-beam CT. Numerical demonstrations of our TV algorithm are performed with various insufficient data problems in fan-beam CT. The TV algorithm can be generalized to cone-beam CT as well as other tomographic imaging modalities.

Keywords: Computed tomography, few-view reconstruction, limited-angle reconstruction, total variation, POCS

Journal: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 119-139, 2006