Title :
Positron emission tomographic images and expectation maximization: a VLSI architecture for multiple iterations per second
Author :
Jones, W.F. ; Byars, L.G. ; Casey, M.E.
Author_Institution :
Comput. Technol. & Imaging Inc., Knoxville, TN, USA
Abstract :
A digital electronic architecture for parallel processing of the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm for positron-emission-tomography (PET) image reconstruction is proposed. Rapid (0.2-s) EM iterations on high-resolution (256*256) images are supported. Arrays of two VLSI chips perform forward and back projection calculations. The architecture is described, including data flow and partitioning relevant to EM and parallel processing. EM images are shown that are produced with software simulating the proposed hardware reconstruction algorithm. Projected cost of the system is estimated to be small in comparison to the cost of current PET scanners.<>
Keywords :
VLSI; biomedical electronics; computerised tomography; radioisotope scanning and imaging; VLSI architecture; digital electronic architecture; expectation maximization; image reconstruction; multiple iterations per second; parallel processing; positron-emission-tomography; Computer architecture; Costs; Hardware; Image reconstruction; Parallel processing; Partitioning algorithms; Positron emission tomography; Radioactive decay; Reconstruction algorithms; Very large scale integration;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
