Correction of data truncation artifacts in differential phase contrast (DPC) tomosynthesis imaging

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• X-ray Physics
• Computational Imaging

Background:

• Grating-based Talbot-Lau interferometry enables differential phase contrast (DPC) X-ray imaging.
• Data truncation artifacts commonly affect DPC tomosynthesis reconstructions.
• Existing artifact mitigation strategies for absorption imaging are inadequate for DPC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate novel methods for mitigating data truncation artifacts in DPC tomosynthesis.
• To improve the quality of reconstructed DPC images in limited-angle tomography.

Main Methods:

• Proposed several new computational methods specifically designed for DPC tomosynthesis artifact reduction.
• Validated the proposed methods using experimental data from phantoms, animal tissues, and human cadaver specimens.
• Employed a bench-top DPC imaging system for data acquisition.

Main Results:

• The developed methods successfully mitigated data truncation artifacts in DPC tomosynthesis reconstructions.
• Experimental validation demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed techniques.
• Improved image quality was achieved in reconstructions of complex biological samples.

Conclusions:

• The proposed methods offer a significant advancement in addressing data truncation artifacts in DPC tomosynthesis.
• These techniques enhance the diagnostic potential of grating-based DPC imaging in medical applications.
• Successful validation across diverse specimens underscores the robustness of the developed artifact reduction strategies.