Weighted backprojection approach to cone beam 3D projection reconstruction for truncated spherical detection geometry.

A new analytical three-dimensional cone beam reconstruction algorithm is presented for truncated spherical detection geometry. The basic idea of the proposed algorithm is the formation of spatially invariant 3D blurred back-projected volumetric image by the use of the weighted backprojection of cone beam projection data and subsequent 3D filtering using an acceptance angle dependent rho filter. The backprojection weighting function is calculated on the basis of each given geometrical condition, i.e. detection geometry or degree of truncation, position of cone beam apex, and backprojection point. The proposed algorithm is derived analytically and is computationally efficient. Performance of the algorithm is evaluated by the reconstruction of 3D volumetric images using simulated data from arbitrarily truncated spherical detector geometries.