title: A multiple detector array helical x-ray microtomography system for specimen imaging.
abstract: An x-ray computed microtomography system for specimen and small animal imaging was built and tested. The system used seventeen 48-microm-wide detector arrays (a charge coupled device camera) and helical acquisition techniques. Images were acquired using 540 rays/view and 400 views/2pi. The modulation transfer function (MTF) of the computed tomography images demonstrated 50 microm limiting resolution, with MTF > 10% for objects larger than 60 microm (approximately 8.3 cycles/mm). While soft tissue discrimination was compromised by a low signal-to-noise ratio, equine medullary bone core samples and the murine skeleton were well visualized. The incorporation of multiple detector arrays provided a 17-fold improvement in x-ray efficiency, which is a very important step toward improving the potential of microtomography as a scientific tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California, Davis, USA.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Corrigan
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Chavez
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Wisner
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Boone
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data