Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter1
Introduction
Klaus P. Schafers
European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Munster, Munster,
Germany
1.1
Introduction ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
1
1.2
Principle of emission tomography ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
2
1.3
Electromagnetic spectrum :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
4
1.4
Need for correction techniques :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
4
References :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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1.1 Introduction
\Seeing is believing." This idiom indicates that imaging plays an important
role in human life and, in particular, in biomedical research and medical diag-
nostics. The detection of X-rays in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen changed
the way of medical diagnostics radically. For the first time ever, physicians
were offered a view inside the living body without the need for opening it by
surgery. This very first imaging technology paved the way for modern patient
diagnostics and treatment.
Since then, many imaging techniques have been exploited and developed
for biomedical use based on different principles using either electromagnetic
waves (gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light) or magnetic
resonance (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI).
This topic is focused on dierent correction techniques used in emission
tomography to generate and enhance images. In a general context, emission
tomography is commonly defined as an imaging method that makes use of ra-
dioactive isotopes, e.g., applying techniques like single photon emission tomog-
raphy (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET). We have extended
the definition toward the general use of emitting probes based on electromag-
netic radiation. Therefore, new optical imaging (OI) approaches that aim to
visualize a three-dimensional volume using either luminescense or fluorescence
probes are also encompassed in this topic.
The process of image formation based on emission tomography necessitates
a number of corrections. Images may become quantitative and allow inter- and
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