Fully digitalized triple-energy x-ray computed tomography with high spatial resolutions using beam hardening

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Physics
• Engineering

Background:

• X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a crucial diagnostic tool.
• Enhancing K-edge imaging requires precise control over effective photon energy.
• Beam hardening is a known phenomenon in X-ray imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fully digitalized triple-energy x-ray computed tomography (TECT) scanner.
• To regulate effective photon energy for enhanced K-edge x-ray imaging.
• To utilize beam hardening for improved image quality.

Main Methods:

• A prototype TECT scanner was constructed with a 0.1-mm-focus x-ray tube and a flat panel detector.
• Objects were irradiated at 1.4x magnification, acquiring 720 raw radiograms.
• Tomograms were reconstructed, and digital amplification factors were varied to observe beam hardening effects.

Main Results:

• Increasing the digital amplification factor increased the effective photon energy via x-ray beam hardening.
• TECT was successfully performed at digital amplifier factors below 3.0.
• Fine blood vessels became visible using gadolinium-K-edge CT, demonstrating enhanced imaging capability.

Conclusions:

• The developed TECT scanner effectively regulates photon energy through beam hardening.
• This technology enables enhanced K-edge imaging, improving visualization of fine anatomical structures.
• The TECT system shows promise for advanced medical imaging applications.