Filtern
Erscheinungsjahr
Dokumenttyp
- Wissenschaftlicher Artikel (28) (entfernen)
Schlagworte
- Implantat (1)
- Kernspintomografie (1)
- Spondylodese (1)
Institut
- Elektrotechnik und angewandte Naturwissenschaften (28) (entfernen)
We report on investigations that illustrate the interaction between the specific immune system and a young avascular tumor growing due to a diffusive nutrient supply. We formulate a hybrid cellular automata-partial differential equation (CA-PDE) model which includes cell cycle dynamics and allows for tracking the spatial and temporal evolution of this elaborate biological system. We present results of two dimensional numerical simulations that, specifically in this work, include special cases of the spherical and papillary tumor growth, the infiltration of immune system cells into the tumor and the escape of tumor cells from the regime of the immune cells.
Stereotactic frame systems are widely used in neurosurgery. The accuracy of frame devices is considered as a gold standard to which the accuracy of new frameless stereotactic navigation systems is compared. The purpose of this study is to develop a general approach for the prediction of the application accuracy of stereotactic systems. The approach will be applied to the frame‐based biopsy performed with three frame devices: Leksell G, Cosman–Roberts–Wells (CRW), and Brown–Roberts–Wells (BRW). A work‐flow analysis will be carried out demonstrating that the accuracy relevant for a clinical application comprises several error sources including imaging, target and entry point selection, image to frame coordinates registration, and the setting of mechanical parameters of the frame. These error sources will be postulated to obey a Gaussian distribution probability density. The linear, i.e., Gaussian, error propagation, will be used to link all error contributions thus to calculate the cumulative accuracy of the frame used in the application. Although the Gaussian approach is an approximation, it allows for an analytical treatment of the accuracy. Both the accuracy at the target point and the accuracy of the probe needle guidance along the planned trajectory have been investigated. Of great significance is the relationship found between accuracy, pixel dimension, and image slice thickness, the latter being the dominant factor for slices of more than 1.5 mm thickness, yielding inaccuracies larger than 1.5 mm. For target points the predictions for the application accuracy have been compared to the results of measurements, showing good agreement with the experimental data.
A qualitative work‐flow analysis of a neurosurgical procedure indicates that the resolution of the image used to plan the intervention is the major source of inaccuracy. Quantitative experimental measurements confirm this observation. They fail, however, to explain the relationship between the accuracy of the frame components involved in a stereotactic procedure and the overall application accuracy. This investigation shows that the novel Gaussian approach is a flexible framework for the calculation of the application accuracy of frame systems. Therefore, the Gaussian approach provides a detailed understanding of the interplay between the various factors affecting accuracy. The basic ideas and limitations of the Gaussian approach are briefly explained. The effect of fiducial marker distribution and registration is investigated and shown to introduce a spatial dependence to the accuracy. The results of the Gaussian approach are compared with experimental data for three stereotactic frame devices: Leksell G, Cosman–Roberts–Wells, and Brown–Roberts–Wells. Although the Gaussian approach is an approximation, it reproduces the accuracy measured in the experiment within the statistical error of that experiment. Comp Aid Surg 4:77–86 (1999). © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer related deaths in 2012 [1]. Moreover, the global cancer burden is expected to exceed 20 million new cancer cases by 2025. Understanding the spatial and temporal behaviour of cancer is a crucial precondition to achieve a successful treatment. Because no two cancer cases are the same, every patient should receive a treatment plan designed specifically for her case, in order to improve the patient’s survival chances.
Background: By reviewing image quality and diagnostic perception, the suitability of a statistical model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm in conjunction with low-dose computed tomography for lung cancer screening is investigated.
Methods: Artificial lung nodules shaped as spheres and spiculated spheres made from material with calibrated Hounsfield units were attached on marked positions in the lung structure of anthropomorphic phantoms. The phantoms were scanned using standard high contrast, and two low-dose computed tomography protocols: low-dose and ultra-low-dose. For the reconstruction, the filtered back projection and the iterative reconstruction algorithm ADMIRE at different strength levels (S1–S5) and the kernels Bl57, Br32, Br69 were used. Expert radiologists assessed image quality by performing 4-field-ranking tests and reading all image series to examine the aptitude for the detectability of lung nodules. Signal-to-noise ratio was investigated as objective image quality parameter.
Results: In ranking tests for lung foci detection expert radiologists prefer medium to high iterative reconstruction strength levels. For the standard clinical kernel Bl57 and varying phantom diameter, a noticeable preference for S4 was detected. Experienced radiologists graded filtered back projection reconstructed images with the highest perceptibility. Less experienced readers assessed filtered back projection and iterative reconstruction equally with the highest grades for the Bl57 kernel. Independently of the dose protocol, the signal-to-noise ratio increases with the iterative reconstruction strength level, specifically for Br69 and Bl57.
Conclusions: Subjective image perception does not significantly correlate with the experience of the radiologist, which presumably mirrors reader’s training and accustomed reading adjustments. Regarding signal-to-noise ratio, iterative reconstruction outperforms filtered back projection for spheres and spiculated spheres. Iterative reconstruction matters. It promises to be an alternative to filtered back projection allowing for lung-cancer screening at markedly decreased radiation exposure but comparable or even improved image quality.
In this research computer tomography (CT) iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms are investigated, specifically the impact of their statistical and model-based strength on image quality in low-dose lung screening CT protocols in comparison to filtered back projection (FBP). It has been probed whether statistical, model-based IR in conjunction with low-dose, and ultra-low-dose protocols are suitable for lungcancer screening. To this end, artificial lung nodules shaped as spheres and spicules made from material with calibrated Hounsfield units (HU) were attached on marked positions in the lung structure of an anthropomorphic phantom. Nodule positions were selected by distinguished radiologists. The phantom with nodules was scanned on a CT Scanner using standard high contrast (SHC), low-dose (LD) and ultra low-dose (ULD) protocol. For reconstruction FBP and the IR algorithm ADMIRE at three different …
Protraction Effects in a Stochastic Cell-Cycle Tumor Model Exposed to Fractionated Radiotherapy
(2013)
Metallic implants in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are a potential safety risk since the energy absorption may increase temperature of the surrounding tissue. The temperature rise is highly dependent on implant size. Numerical examinations can be used to calculate the energy absorption in terms of the specific absorption rate (SAR) induced by MRI on orthopaedic implants. This research presents the impact of titanium osteosynthesis spine implants, called spondylodesis, deduced by numerical examinations of energy absorption in simplified spondylodesis models placed in 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI body coils. The implants are modelled along with a spine model consisting of vertebrae and disci intervertebrales thus extending previous investigations [1], [2]. Increased SAR values are observed at the ends of long implants, while at the center SAR is significantly lower. Sufficiently short implants show increased SAR along the complete length of the implant. A careful data analysis reveals that the particular anatomy, i.e. vertebrae and disci intervertebrales, has a significant effect on SAR. On top of SAR profile due to the implant length, considerable SAR variations at small scale are observed, e.g. SAR values at vertebra are higher than at disc positions.
Metallic implants in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are a potential safety risk since the energy absorption may increase temperature of the surrounding tissue. The temperature rise is highly dependent on implant size. Numerical examinations can be used to calculate the energy absorption in terms of the specific absorption rate (SAR) induced by MRI on orthopaedic implants. This research presents the impact of titanium osteosynthesis spine implants, called spondylodesis, deduced by numerical examinations of energy absorption in simplified spondylodesis models placed in 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI body coils. The implants are modelled along with a spine model consisting of vertebrae and disci intervertebrales thus extending previous investigations [1, 2]. Increased SARvalues are observed at the ends of long implants, while at the center SAR is significantly lower. Sufficiently short implants show increased SAR along the complete length of the implant. A careful data analysis reveals that the particular anatomy, i.e. vertebrae and disci intervertebrales, has a significant effect on SAR. On top of SAR profile due to the implant length, considerable SAR variations at small scale are observed, e.g. SAR values at vertebra are higher than at disc positions.
Cone-Beam computed tomography (CBCT) has become the most important component of modern radiotherapy for positioning tumor patients directly before treatment. In this work we investigate alternations to standard acquisition protocol, called preset, for patients with a tumor in the thoracic region. The effects of the changed acquisition parameters on the image quality are evaluated using the Catphan Phantom and the image analysis software Smári. The weighted CT dose index (CTDIW) is determined in each case and the effects of the different acquisition protocols on the patient dose are classified accordingly. Additionally, the clinical suitability of alternative presets is tested by investigating correctness of image registration using the CIRS thorax phantom. The results show that a significant dose reduction can be achieved. It can be reduced by 51% for a full rotation by adjusting the gantry speed.
The purpose of this work was to develop and investigate a radiofrequency (RF) coil to perform image studies on small animals using the 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, installed in the imaging platform in the autopsy room (Portuguese acronym PISA), at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is the unique 7T MRI scanner installed in South America. Due to a high demand to create new specific coils for this 7T system, it is necessary to carefully assess the distribution of electromagnetic (EM) fields generated by the coils and evaluate the patient/object safety during MRI procedures. To achieve this goal 3D numerical methods were used to design and analyse a 8-rungs transmit/receive linearly driven birdcage coil for small animals. Calculated magnetic field (B 1) distributions generated by the coil were crosschecked with measured results, indicating good confidence in the simulated results.
This study investigates differences between treatment plans generated by Ray Tracing (RT) and Monte Carlo (MC) calculation algorithms in homogeneous and heterogeneous body regions. Particularly, we focus on the head and on the thorax, respectively, for robotic stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery with Cyberknife. Radiation plans for tumors located in the head and in the thorax region have been calculated and compared to each other in 47 cases and several tumor types.