Sindbad: From CAD Model to Synthetic Radiographs

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONX-ray simulation tools are of primary interest during the design stage of radiographic facilities where they can help to choose the device parameters (X-ray tube settings such as voltage and filtration, detector type and thickness, geometry of the bench, etc.) and predict performances of the future device. They can also be helpful, in the evaluation and test of radiation image processing techniques (tomography, tomosynthesis, etc.) and in radiographic non destructive evaluation processes using synthetic images as, for instance, flaw detection, evaluation of object inspectability, assistance to inspection interpretation, inspector training, etc.The most important part of the simulation deals with interaction of radiation with matter in the examined part or in the detector. This interaction is fully described by the Boltzman transport equation. However, the solution of this equation, usually obtained by a Monte Carlo method is too computer time consuming to be of practical use in the case of complex part geometry. If scattering and internal sources are neglected, an integral solution, the exponential attenuation law, allows to compute the direct flux. This analytical model can be implemented as a possible simplified alternative to the full solution. Several models, more or less sophisticated, are then available to simulate scattered radiation, which can then be added to the direct flux.This analytical approach has been adopted by several research teams. The German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) has developed a simulation tool [1] which was later improved by a coupling to a CAD interface. The Italian National Agency for New Technology, Energy and the Environment (ENEA) has included an X-ray simulation in their digital imaging software in order to help design an inspection scenario and assist the operator while detecting flaws [2]. The Center for Non-Destructive Evaluation (CNDE, USA) has built in several stages a sophisticated simulation package XRSIM, which includes an X-ray source model, a CAD description of the inspected object, a scattering model and several kinds of radiation detector models [3][4].The LETI laboratory (Laboratoire d'Electronique et de Techniques d'Instrumentation, France), is involved in the design of high performance radiographic or

Interactive teaching environment for diagnostic radiography with real-time X-ray simulation and patient positioning

“…Physically based simulation frameworks aim at particle physics and/or medical physics research and focus on accuracy rather than speed [18]. As a fast alternative, a deterministic calculation based on raytracing is often used to solve the Beer-Lambert law [19]. Freud et al proposed an alternative model for deterministic simulation [20] that relies on the traditional graphics pipeline.…”

A new method for x-ray scatter correction: first assessment on a cone-beam CT experimental setup

“…The home-made x-ray radiographic simulator Sindbad (Glière 1998) was used to validate the method presented in this paper. Sindbad models all the parts of a radiographic system, including the source, the 3D object and the detector, to provide output data in the form of realistic radiographs (Guillemaud et al 2003, Tabary andGlière 2000).…”

Signal-to-noise ratio criterion for the optimization of dual-energy acquisition using virtual x-ray imaging: application to glass wool

“…Without a simulation tool, it is very difficult to study and optimize the influence of each parameter in the x-ray image acquisition chain. Basically, two different approaches can be used to simulate photon-matter interactions: [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] 1. Monte-Carlo-based methods are very close to the particle physics but the required computation time is huge.…”