Phase contrast image guidance for synchrotron microbeam radiotherapy

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiotherapy
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Advancements in preclinical synchrotron microbeam radiotherapy require improved image guidance for clinical translation.
• X-ray phase contrast imaging, available at synchrotron facilities, offers potential for enhanced image quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a methodology for phase contrast image guidance at the Australian Synchrotron.
• To improve image quality for preclinical radiotherapy applications.

Main Methods:

• Differential phase contrast was measured alongside conventional attenuation.
• Post-processing using the inverse Riesz transform was applied to enhance image sharpness.
• The methodology was developed at the Imaging and Medical Beamline at the Australian Synchrotron.

Main Results:

• The described methodology significantly improved image quality, yielding noticeably sharper images.
• The technique facilitates visual assessment and semi-automatic image registration for sample alignment.
• The approach is compatible with other differential phase contrast imaging techniques.

Conclusions:

• Phase contrast image guidance is a valuable tool for preclinical radiotherapy, aiding in clinical translation.
• The developed methodology enhances image sharpness and precision for radiotherapy applications.
• This technique supports precise sample alignment and visual assessment in radiotherapy research.