Second generation stationary chest tomosynthesis with faster scan time and wider angular span
Alex Billingsley1, Christina Inscoe2, Jianping Lu2
1Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Background:
Digital tomosynthesis has shown potential for increasing specificity and sensitivity compared to radiography for low-dose chest imaging. Prior investigation of the s-DCT system indicated potential, but additional iteration with improved scan speed, power, and angular span was necessary for translation.
Purpose:
The study aims to demonstrate and characterize a second-generation stationary digital chest tomosynthesis (s-DCT) scanner with increased x-ray energy, tube current, and larger angular span.
Methods:
The second-generation s-DCT system employed a meter-long linear carbon nanotube (CNT) source array integrated with a digital detector and patient imaging table. Tube output, focal spot size, modulation transfer function (MTF), artifact spread function (ASF), and imaging performance were evaluated. A lung phantom with simulated nodules was imaged for clinical task-based demonstration.
Results:
The scanner achieved a 6 s scan time, significantly improved from the prior generation's 16 s. The x-ray tube exhibited good current stability, with 20.4 ± 0.6 mA tube current and focal spot size aligned with specifications (IEC 0.8). The MTF confirmed enhanced spatial resolution of 2.4 lp/mm, comparable to commercial chest tomosynthesis systems. The ASF indicated improved depth resolution (5.2 mm, previously 9.5 mm). Phantom imaging showcased visualization of both high and low-attenuation lung nodules.
Conclusion:
The second-generation s-DCT system exhibited improved performance in terms of tube power, scan time, and image quality. Enhanced in-plane and depth resolution, along with faster imaging, suggest potential clinical benefits for improved diagnoses. Further clinical validation is warranted to ascertain the system's clinical utility.
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