In situ propagation-based lung computed tomography for large animal models

Abstract

The lung is a complex organ with a hierarchical structure, containing four times more air than tissue. It is in constant contact with environmental factors such as pollution and pathogens, leading to pathological alterations at various hierarchical levels. Because of its intricate structure and continuous movement, lung imaging presents significant challenges for most existing techniques. Recent advancements in phase-contrast computed tomography and photon-counting detectors have greatly enhanced lung imaging capabilities. Specifically, propagation-based imaging (PBI), a phase-contrast method that does not require optical elements, has proven particularly effective at low X-ray dose rates du..