Online Calibration of a Linear Micro Tomosynthesis Scanner

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Biomedical engineering
• Instrumentation

Background:

• Linear tomosynthesis scanners require precise mechanical stability for high-resolution imaging of histologic samples.
• Scanning stage instability (±10 µm) in current systems exceeds imaging resolution, leading to blurring and artifacts.
• Accurate geometric information is crucial for 3D reconstruction in tomosynthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an effective online calibration method for linear tomosynthesis scanners.
• To compensate for mechanical instability of the scanning stage.
• To improve the accuracy of 3D image reconstruction by correcting geometric errors.

Main Methods:

• A novel online calibration technique was implemented using a layer of randomly dispersed micro glass beads or calcium particles attached to the sample stage.
• The method employed a parametric representation of the rigid body motion of the sample stage and marker layer assembly.
• This approach allowed for real-time determination of the stage's trajectory during scanning.

Main Results:

• The developed online calibration method effectively determined the scanning stage's trajectory.
• The technique successfully compensated for mechanical instabilities, preventing blurring and artifacts in the acquired images.
• The marker layer proved to be easy to produce and highly effective in the calibration procedure.

Conclusions:

• The proposed online calibration method using a micro-particle layer is a practical and effective solution for improving tomosynthesis imaging accuracy.
• This technique enhances the reliability of 3D reconstruction by mitigating artifacts caused by mechanical stage instability.
• The method offers a straightforward and cost-effective approach to achieve high-fidelity imaging in biomedical applications.