CT速度的巨大突破

aaa根据一项新研究，最近开发的数字技术使计算机控制X线断层扫描术(CT)技术推进了一大步。

InstaRecon (Urbana, IL, USA) 的研究者们已经设计出可以提供几乎所有瞬间、实时重建复杂三维图像的运算法则。新的CT系统可以在10妙内扫描整个身体，收集4000个图像平面的数据。然而，这些图像的重建仍旧滞后，需要几分钟。Yoram Bresler，InstaRecon的主席说：“我们的目标是加速图像重建的速度，以至于能在数据收集的同时成像。”

实时重建对诸如X线透视检查等医学程序来说是很重要的，借此临床医生可以将导管移动至心脏。“医生需要能在导管移动的时候看到他，”Bresler先生解释说，“医生不能容忍图像重建中的延迟，否则他们将不能知道导管在当下的确切位置。通过我们的方法，我们可以通过从10到100的因子加速图像重建，从而使实时、完整的3D效果成为可能。”

不仅图像重建的完成速度更快，并且，更重要的是，从长远来看病人能更少的接受X线的照射。如果数据重建能更快完成的话，放射剂量就能减少。通过这个来自InstaRecon运算法则的速度加速技术，CT扫描系统就能做到。CT扫描能数倍提升计算速度，以难以置信的速度运行，减少必须接受的放射剂量。

速度的增快还可以帮助世界范围内的安全代理商扫描更多的包裹和集装箱。InstaRecon最先在Urbana-Champaign伊利诺伊州大学（USA）开展研究，在那里调查人员设计出最快的图像重建运算法则。这项技术受到6个美国的保护，在全世界范围内处于申请期。

Breakthrough in CT Speed 
 
Newly developed mathematical techniques have given a big boost to computed tomography (CT) technology, according to new research.

Researchers at InstaRecon (Urbana, IL, USA) have devised algorithms that can provide almost instantaneous, real-time reconstruction of complicated, three-dimensional (3D) images. Newer CT systems can scan the whole body in 10 seconds, gathering data for 4,000 image slices. However, reconstruction of those images still falls behind, taking several minutes. “Our goal has been to speed up the image reconstruction so it happens at the same time that the data are collected,” stated Yoram Bresler, president of InstaRecon.

Real-time reconstruction is important in medical procedures such as fluoroscopy, in which clinicians move a catheter through the heart. “Doctors need to be able to see the catheter as it’s moving,” explained Mr. Bresler. “Doctors cannot tolerate a delay in image reconstruction or they will not know exactly where the catheter is at any given moment. With our method, we can speed up image reconstruction by a factor of 10 to 100, so it should be possible to have full 3D resolution in real-time.”

Not only would the image reconstruction be performed quicker, but, maybe even more important, patients may receive less exposure to x-rays in the long run. Radiation dose can be decreased if the devices are able to reconstruct the data much faster, correcting the results each time. With this speed enhancement technology from the InstaRecon algorithms, CT scanning systems will be able to provide this. CT scanners will be able to compute images many times over, at incredible speeds, reducing the required radiation dose.

Increased speed would also help security agents worldwide scan more packages and containers. InstaRecon had its beginnings at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA), where the investigators devised the fast image reconstruction algorithms. The technology is protected by six U.S. patents, with many others pending worldwide.