RayConStruct-BP
Backprojection brings the projection data from rawdata domain into image domain. Our series of hyper-fast backprojectors combines high fidelity with high performance. We offer backprojection algorithms for the spiral trajectory and for the circular trajectory with and without voxel-specific weighting functions. Those backprojectors guarantee real-time reconstruction for any existing CT algorithm (e.g. exact reconstruction, approximate Feldkamp-type reconstruction, single-slice rebinning type reconstruction). Depending on the platform (CPU, CBE or GPU) RayConStruct-BP achieves performance values between 5 and 50 GUPS. Our backprojectors are key to all RayConStruct-IR pipelines that we offer.
RayConStruct-FP
Similarly to the backprojections we offer algorithms to do the forward projection of voxel data. These are either adjunct to the backprojectors or allow to model the beam more precisely.
RayConStruct-IR
Image reconstruction is our key know-how. We offer 2D, 3D and 4D reconstruction pipelines for numerous applications in clinical and industrial CT. For example in the field of circular cone-beam CT our Feldkamp-type image reconstruction algorithms enable the reconstruction of full scan and partial scan data as well as overscan data. It further offers the reconstruction of data from offset detectors. For spiral CT a variety of fast algorithms is available and can be selected depending on the customer requirements and boundary constraints. In clinical CT, for example, ASSR-type algorithms or approximate Feldkamp-type algorithms are prominent. They combine high flexibility, arbitrary pitch selection, full dose usage with high image quality for standard and cardiac CT. Certain scan protocols can also be supported with exact cone-beam image reconstruction at the same performance level. RayConStruct-IR also covers the first, second and fourth generation CT geometry and can be easily extended to very exotic scanners which becomes especially attractive for non-destructive material testing applications, such as needed for luggage scanning.
Data detruncation, first and higher order beam hardening correction, metal artifact suppression, ring artifact reduction and other important algorithms are available as well. Calibration of raw detector data, defect pixel correction, calibration of beam quality to suppress beam hardening artifacts or to compute the material decomposition indices in multi-energy CT can also be part of this solution.
RayConStruct-PS
Projection simulation computes straight line integrals through mathematically well defined objects. These can be either defined using constructive solid geometry or by specifying a voxel volume. RayConStruct-PS is useful during the design stage of image reconstruction algorithms since it provides rawdata for scanners that are not yet physically available. One can further use the projection simulator to test existing algorithms and to selectively switch on and off certain physical effects. Polychromatic and monochromatic beams with arbitrary lateral beam profile are supported.
Platforms
CPU
All of our algorithms perform very well on the a central processing unit (CPU). For example our 2D parallel beam backprojector, which is part of RayConStruct-BP, allows to backproject 250 images per second on a standard eight-core PC. Similarly, our cone-beam spiral backprojector with voxel-specific weighting can backproject between 100 and 200 images per second, depending on the scan parameters. Thereby, the CPU is attractive for real-time applications as well as for off-line image reconstruction and image restoration algorithms.
CBE
The cell broadband engine (CBE) is a hyperfast multiprocessor that combines highest performance with high performance predictability. Due to its fast XDR-memory it offers the fastest memory access among all platforms. These two key advantages, high predictability and fastest memory access, make the CBE be the best choice for memory intensive real time applications such as security scanning or clinical CT. The performance of our CBE-based algorithms scales linearly with the number of cell processors available and therefore can be configured to cover any range of values.
GPU
Certain algorithms, such as backprojection or convolution, can profit from the support of a graphics processing unit (GPU). Some of our components are implemented using the compute unified device architecture (CUDA) of NVIDIA and therefore allow to offload computationally highly demanding components to a GPU device.
RayConStruct GmbH Germany |
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| Phone: | +49 (911) 5192031 |
| Fax: | +49 (911) 5192723 |
| Email: | info@rayconstruct.de |