A fast algorithm for voxel-based deterministic simulation of X-ray imaging

Abstract

Deterministic method based on ray tracing technique is known as a powerful alternative to the Monte Carlo approach for virtual X-ray imaging. The algorithm speed is a critical issue in the perspective of simulating hundreds of images, notably to simulate tomographic acquisition or even more, to simulate X-ray radiographic video recordings. We present an algorithm for voxel-based deterministic simulation of X-ray imaging using voxel-driven forward and backward perspective projection operations and minimum bounding rectangles (MBRs). The algorithm is fast, easy to implement, and creates high-quality simulated radiographs. As a result, simulated radiographs can typically be obtained in split seconds with a simple personal computer. Program summary: Program title: X-ray. Catalogue identifier: AEAD_v1_0. Program summary URL: http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEAD_v1_0.html. Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland. Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html. No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 416 257. No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 6 018 263. Distribution format: tar.gz. Programming language: C (Visual C++). Computer: Any PC. Tested on DELL Precision 380 based on a Pentium D 3.20 GHz processor with 3.50 GB of RAM. Operating system: Windows XP. Classification: 14, 21.1. Nature of problem: Radiographic simulation of voxelized objects based on ray tracing technique. Solution method: The core of the simulation is a fast routine for the calculation of ray-box intersections and minimum bounding rectangles, together with voxel-driven forward and backward perspective projection operations. Restrictions: Memory constraints. There are three programs in all. •A. Program for test 3.1(1): Object and detector have axis-aligned orientation;•B. Program for test 3.1(2): Object in arbitrary orientation;•C. Program for test 3.2: Simulation of X-ray video recordings. 1.Program A Memory required to execute with typical data: 207 Megabytes, depending on the size of the input file. Typical running time: 2.30 s. (Tested in release mode, the same below.)2.Program B (the main program) Memory required to execute with typical data: 114 Megabytes, depending on the size of the input file. Typical running time: 1.60 s.3.Program C Memory required to execute with typical data: 215 Megabytes, depending on the size of the input file. Typical computation time: 27.26 s for cast-5, 101.87 s for cast-6. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.