Digital tomosynthesis

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a tutorial overview of tomosynthesis imaging. We expect our book to be useful in helping practicing medical scientists and radiological technologists to gain an understanding of what can and cannot be done in terms of theory, technology, and reconstruction algorithms. Toward this end, we have tried to strike a balance among purely algorithmic issues, topics dealing with how to generate data for reconstruction in different domains, and artifacts inherent to different data collection strategies. This chapter is structured to cover the basics of both conventional tomography and tomosynthesis. However, its main focus is concerned with detailed derivations of reconstruction algorithms. Because there will be a greater impact of tomosynthesis in the future, reconstruction algorithms have been illustrated and derived in detail. A thorough analysis of tomosynthesis artifacts, as well as a discussion of practical issues such as dose considerations, provides further insight into modern tomosynthesis systems. In an effort to explain both the fundamentals and applications of tomography, this chapter is addressed to a wide interdisciplinary readership. Consequently, the focus is on physics and technology, and radiological aspects are only marginally addressed. There is no requirement for the reader to possess any prior knowledge. The relevant literature is referenced with respect to any problems or questions that may arise. © 2012 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.