Reduction of artifacts induced by misaligned geometry in cone-beam CT.

The quality of computed tomography (CT) images frequently suffers from artifacts caused by scanner misalignments. In this paper, we discuss the results of our improved approximate cone-beam reconstruction formula, which corrects for the mechanical misalignment of the scanner. Based on the general filtered back-projection (FBP) algorithm proposed by Feldkamp, the new formula reduces the artifacts in reconstructed images. Six parameters are employed to describe the scanner misalignment. Experimental results show that the images reconstructed by using the new formula are clearer than those reconstructed by using the general FBP algorithm in a misaligned system. Through the new formula, we have reduced the artifacts caused by misalignment.