Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame have partnered with GE Healthcare to develop a new computed tomography (CT) scanning reconstruction technology they are calling Veo. The proprietary technology, according to the consortium, “enables physicians to diagnose patients with high-clarity images at previously unattainable low radiation dose levels.”
Invented in the 1970s, CT is an advanced version of spiral X-ray technology. While the technology has enhanced the ability of physicians to diagnosis diseases, patients are exposed to radiation during scanning. The Veo technology will help physicians get clearer images while exposing patients to less radiation.
“Conventional CT scanning takes thousands of views from different angles to ‘see’ organs and then creates a 3-D image of the person,” said Charles Bouman, Purdue’s Michael J. and Katherine R. Birck Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a professor of biomedical engineering. “Veo takes radiographic images digitally that use less X-ray. A reduction in X-rays means the radiation dosage is reduced. Then, our computer algorithm uses model-based reconstruction more effectively so we can form a high-quality image with less radiation.
“Basically, Veo cleans up the noise or graininess and creates a sharper image,” Bouman added.