Image reconstruction using multiple X-ray projections

A method of constructing the image of an object using at least two X-ray absorbance profiles, the method comprising the steps of;

• a) filling the object to be imaged with an X-ray agent, the X-ray agent attenuating X-rays;
• b) generating at least two one-dimensional X-ray absorbance profiles by irradiating said agent-filled object with X-rays from at least two directions, each profile having a plurality of profile elements, each of which corresponds to a certain X-ray path;
• c) producing a first image by back-projecting said at least two one-dimensional X-ray absorbance profiles, wherein said first image includes a plurality of picture elements, each picture element having each respective X-ray absorbance value;
• d) transforming said first image into a binary image;
• e) forward-projecting said binary image into at least two one-dimensional projections, wherein said one-dimensional X-ray absorbance profiles and projections correspond to each other;
• f) estimating a difference between each said X-ray absorbance profile and each corresponding projection;
• and
• g) correcting said binary image using said difference to produce a corrected image.

An apparatus for constructing an image of an object using at least two X-ray absorbance profiles, the apparatus comprising the steps of;

• a) means for filling the object to be imaged with an X-ray agent, the X-ray agent attenuating X-rays;
• b) means for generating at least two one-dimensional X-ray absorbance profiles with respect to a pre-selected plane of the object by irradiating said agent-filled object with X-rays from at least two directions;
• c) means for producing a two-dimensional image by back-projecting said at least two one-dimensional X-ray absorbance profiles;
• d) means for transforming said two-dimensional image into a two-dimensional binary image;
• e) means for forward-projecting said two-dimensional binary image into at least two one-dimensional projections, wherein said one-dimensional X-ray absorbance profiles and said one-dimensional projections correspond to each other;
• f) means for estimating a difference between each said X-ray absorbance profile and each corresponding projection;
• and
• g) means for producing a corrected two-dimensional image by normalizing said difference throughout said two-dimensional binary image.