Exploiting parallelism in a X-ray tomography reconstruction algorithm on hybrid multi-GPU and multi-core platforms

Abstract

Most small-animal X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanners are based on cone-beam geometry with a flat-panel detector orbiting in a circular trajectory. Image reconstruction in these systems is usually performed by approximate methods based on the algorithm proposed by Feldkamp et al. Currently there are a strong need to speed-up the reconstruction of XRay CT data in order to extend its clinical applications. We present an efficient modular implementation of an FDK-based reconstruction algorithm that takes advantage of the parallel computing capabilities and the efficient bilinear interpolation provided by general purpose graphic processing units (GPGPU). The proposed implementation of the algorithm is evaluated for a high-resolution micro-CT and achieves a speed-up of 46, while preserving the reconstructed image quali