Keywords:
Trauma, Connective tissue disorders, Athletic injuries, Physics, Experimental investigations, Computer Applications-Detection, diagnosis, MR, Image manipulation / Reconstruction, CAD, Breast, Bones
Authors:
K.-M. Chui1, S. L. Chui2, C.-H. Chang3, T. Zielinski4, A. Wojciechowski4, D. B. Stanfield1; 1Uxbridge/UK, 2Prince George, BC/CA, 3Taipei/CN, 4Warsaw/PL
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2011/C-1826
Purpose
Corrections within processing software such as the Back-Projection Algorithm (for CT or NM/PET) or the Fast Fourier Transform (for MRI) are unable to overcome or remove the century-old Penumbra Effect.
But this effect may be overcome by the following post-processing Computer Aided Detection (CAD) algorithm.
The Penumbra Effect (refer to Figure 1 (Figure A) for the definition of Penumbra-Spread) causes blurring at the image edge-profile due to the size of the energy-source.
A CAD software based on the De-convolution Technique can be used to pinpoint the true-edge positions to sub-pixel accuracy and remove the Penumbra-Effect via sub-pixel transfers without trade-off losses.
As both the Penumbra Effect and the Pixelization Effect are overcome at the same time,
the overall effect is to literally re-focus the image edge-profile,
as if derived from an infinitely small energy source. This is in effect,
the perfection of Roentgen's imperfect legacy of X-ray radiography since 1895.
Subsequently,
a definitive method of accurate measurement may also have been found.
By solving this previously 'unsolvable' Penumbra problem without any trade-off loss,
numerous important applications may now be realized e.g.
enhanced edge-profiles can be used for clearer diagnosis and accurate measurements for some specialized cases.
Ten field-examples demonstrate its merits.
Figure 2 (Figure B) & Reference 1 summarize the working principle of the technique.