Neutron-stimulated emission computed tomography of a multi-element phantom

• Published in: Physics in medicine & biology Vol. 53; no. 9; pp. 2313 - 2326
• Main Authors: Floyd, Carey E, Kapadia, Anuj J, Bender, Janelle E, Sharma, Amy C, Xia, Jessie Q, Harrawood, Brian P, Tourassi, Georgia D, Lo, Joseph Y, Crowell, Alexander S, Kiser, Mathew R, Howell, Calvin R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England IOP Publishing 07.05.2008
• Subjects: Algorithms; Diagnostic Imaging - methods; Equipment Design; Gamma Rays; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Models, Statistical; Neoplasms - diagnosis; Neutrons; Phantoms, Imaging; Scattering, Radiation; Spectrophotometry - methods; Tomography, Emission-Computed - instrumentation; Tomography, Emission-Computed - methods
• ISSN: 0031-9155; 1361-6560
• DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/53/9/008

This paper describes the implementation of neutron-stimulated emission computed tomography (NSECT) for non-invasive imaging and reconstruction of a multi-element phantom. The experimental apparatus and process for acquisition of multi-spectral projection data are described along with the reconstruction algorithm and images of the two elements in the phantom. Independent tomographic reconstruction of each element of the multi-element phantom was performed successfully. This reconstruction result is the first of its kind and provides encouraging proof of concept for proposed subsequent spectroscopic tomography of biological samples using NSECT.