Gantry rotational motion-induced blur in cone-beam computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Radiology

Background:

• Neuro-endovascular image-guided interventions (EIGIs) utilize high-resolution detectors, making gantry motion-induced blur a significant issue.
• This blur reduces the visibility of crucial vascular and device features, potentially impacting treatment efficacy in vascular pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of different frame rates on motion-induced blur in EIGIs.
• To determine optimal frame rates for minimizing blur and improving image quality in neuro-endovascular procedures.

Main Methods:

• Simulated projection views of a phantom with a regular pattern of small objects at various frame rates.
• Image reconstruction using linear interpolation of filtered backprojections.
• Analysis of blurring effects in the azimuthal direction and across the field-of-view (FOV).

Main Results:

• Lower frame rates resulted in significant azimuthal blurring, particularly towards the image periphery.
• Higher frame rates demonstrated substantially reduced blur across the entire FOV.
• Higher frame rates, combined with faster gantry speeds, minimize both gantry and patient motion blur.

Conclusions:

• Increasing frame rates is critical for mitigating gantry motion blur in EIGIs.
• High frame rates (e.g., >2000 fps with photon counting detectors) offer superior image quality and reduce risks associated with patient motion.
• Optimizing frame rates enhances visualization for safer and more effective neuro-endovascular treatments.