Norbert Pelc, Ph.D.Professor and Chair,
Department of Bioengineering
Professor of Radiology & Electrical Engineering
Stanford University

“Recent and Future Directions in CT Imaging”

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The technology of Computed Tomography (CT) has advanced dramatically since its introduction in the 1970’s. Current systems have far faster scan times, volumetric coverage, better spatial resolution, and higher dose efficiency, a mainstay in diagnostic imaging. The height utility of CT has led to increased use and, as a result, to concerns about the radiation burden to individuals and the population. Although many technologies have been developed to reduce the dose from CT, further reductions are both possible and prudent and this, along with image quality and cost, will continue to drive technology development. In this talk we will use CT performance trends over time to attempt to predict the performance of CT systems in the next decade or two. The historic trends suggest that some reduction in gantry rotation time may be possible, but that this is not likely to be dramatic. By contrast, there is room for significant improvements in limiting spatial resolution. Continued advances in reconstruction algorithms are expected and these will deliver correction for residual motion effects and far better low contrast performance at low radiation doses. Higher dose efficiency can also be obtained through the use of tailored radiation profiles and advanced detectors. It is unlikely that all aspects of CT performance can be optimized in the same system at the same time. This will likely lead to separation of the CT market into segments, each addressing important clinical applications.

Dr. Norbert Pelc worked in industry from 1978 until 1990 where he was instrumental in the development of CT, MRI, and digital radiography. He joined Stanford in 1990 as Associate Professor of Radiology and was a Founding Faculty in Bioengineering in 2004. He is currently Professor of Bioengineering and Radiology, and Electrical Engineering (by courtesy), and Chair of Bioengineering. Dr. Pelc’s research interests are in diagnostic imaging, especially MRI and CT. His current research focuses on advanced CT system design, including system geometries and reconstruction methods, and in the development of new applications. D.r Pelc has authored more than 180 papers, over 300 presentations, and 87 US patents. He is know for his contributions to CT and MRI ,and in 2012 was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in recognition of those contributions. He is a Fellow of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine(AAPM), and the Council on Cardiovascular Radiology of the American Heart Association. He was a member of the first Advisory Council of the national Insitute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at NIH.A flyer is attached to this email.

When: Thursday, May 30 4:10 PM

Where: 1005 GBSF