METHODS: In the software, named VOXSI (VOXelized CT SImulator), the X-ray source, user specified simulation geometry, CT setup and the detector energy response can be varied. CT image reconstructions can be performed with an implementation of the ASTRA toolbox. In the DECT post processing toolkit, GUI tools are provided to calculate effective atomic number, relative electron density, pseudo-monoenergetic images, and material map images. Quantitative CT number validation, based on a RMI 467 tissue characterization phantom model, was performed between experimental and simulated CT scans at three different X-ray tube potentials (80, 120, and 140 kVp) with a third generation CT scanner.
RESULTS: Overall, a good agreement was found for the mean CT numbers of the RMI 467 inserts. For all energies, the maximum difference in CT numbers between experimental and simulated data was below 17 HU for the soft tissues and below 48 HU for the osseous tissues.
CONCLUSIONS: The software\'s simulation algorithm showed a good agreement between the CT measurements and CT simulations of the RMI 467 phantom at different energies. The capabilities of the software are demonstrated by an elaborated dual-energy CT research example.
方法:在软件中,命名为VOXSI(VOXelizedCTSImulator),X射线源,用户指定的模拟几何,CT设置和检测器能量响应可以变化。可以利用ASTRA工具箱的实现来执行CT图像重建。在DECT后处理工具包中,提供GUI工具来计算有效原子序数,相对电子密度,伪单能量图像,和材料地图图像。定量CT数验证,基于RMI467组织表征体模模型,使用第三代CT扫描仪在三种不同的X射线管电势(80、120和140kVp)下在实验和模拟CT扫描之间进行。
结果:总体而言,发现RMI467插入物的平均CT数具有良好的一致性。对于所有的能量,实验数据和模拟数据之间的最大CT数差异对于软组织低于17HU,对于骨组织低于48HU。
结论:软件的模拟算法显示了不同能量下RMI467体模的CT测量和CT模拟之间的良好一致性。通过详细的双能CT研究示例证明了该软件的功能。