Optimization of X-ray image acquisition and reconstruction for a C-arm CBCT system with a flat-panel detector

A modern cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system with a C-arm gantry incorporating a large-area flat-panel detector is an important imaging tool widely used for diagnosis and image-guidance in spine surgery, orthopedic and interventional suite, and image-guided radiation therapy. In this study, the experimental prototype CBCT imaging platform consists of a benchtop system that is integrated with a cone-beam X-ray tube, a collimator, an anti-scatter grid, and a large-area TFT-based flat-panel detector. The different projection images in the C-arm CT system were usually acquired at short scanning angles with a constant interval for various exposure conditions. The performance of CT imaging quality was performed using the Feldkamp, Davis and Kress (FDK) reconstruction algorithm through acquired two-dimensional projection images at different scanning angles and projection numbers. Quantitative analysis of the image quality was performed by using the cone-beam CT phantom for spatial resolution, low-contrast resolution, noise, and two different phantoms, such as the head and pelvis.