Affiliations: [a]
Medical Convergence Research Center, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| [b]
Department of Radiology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| [c]
Department of Neurosurgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South Korea
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Kwon-Ha Yoon, Department of Radiology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine and Hospital, #895 Muwang-Ro, Iksan, Jeonlabuk-do 54538, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 63 859 1921; Fax: +82 63 859 1009; E-mail: khy1646@wku.ac.kr.
Note: [1] The first two authors contributed equally to this study.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) system has been developed focusing on combining the advanced imaging techniques for the best imaging modality. However, the use of iCT system in the operating rooms is limited due to the lack of flexible mobility. OBJECTIVE:This study aims to develop a mobile iCT imaging system and assess its imaging performance in a phantom study. METHODS:The mobile iCT system with mecanum omni-directional wheels has three major components namely, a rotating gantry, a slip-ring and a stationary gantry. Performance of mecanum iCT system was evaluated using the indices of signal-to-noise (SNR), contrast-to noise (CNR), and spatial resolution (MTF). Anatomical landmarks on phantom images were assessed using a 5-point scale (5 = definitely seen; 4 = probably seen; 3 = equivocal; 2 = probably not seen; and 1 = definitely not seen). RESULTS:The mecanum iCT system can be conveniently used for a whole-body scan under intraoperative conditions even in narrow operating rooms due to a smaller turning radius. The image quality of the mecanum iCT system was found to be acceptable for clinical applications (with SNR = 162.72, CNR = 134.29 and MTF = 694 μm). The diagnostic scores on the phantom images were ‘definitely seen’ value. CONCLUSIONS:The proposed mecanum iCT system achieved the improved flexible mobility and has potential to better serve as a useful imaging tool in the clinical intraoperative setting.
