Astonish is an advanced reconstruction algorithm within the AutoSPECT Plus application that provides patient-specific and collimator-specific corrections for resolution recovery. It utilizes a Philips-patented matched dual filtering technique to minimize noise and improve uniformity. Furthermore, a CT attenuation map can be used in conjunction with Astonish to provide photon-specific scatter and attenuation corrections in addition to resolution recovery.
Enhanced resolution
Reconstructed resolution has been shown in the NEMA SPECT phantom to improve from 10-11 mm to PET-like levels of 4-5 mm. Image contrast and signal to noise ratio are also enhanced with Astonish reconstruction.
Versatility
Astonish can be applied to SPECT studies using Tc-99m,Tl-201, In-111, Ga-67, I-123, or I-131 and used for most of the nuclear medicine procedures.
Wide acceptance
Since its initial introduction in May 2005, the Astonish method has been adopted by approximately 800 clinicians world-wide, and several clinical trials have been conducted.
Reduced scan times
Because Astonish provides improvement in signal-to-noise ratio, it can provide equivalent image quality even when SPECT scan times are shortened. By reducing patient imaging time, a higher throughput can be achieved. The shorter scan times may also mean more comfort for the patients and fewer motion-induced artifacts.
Philips has collaborated with strategic partners on clinical research studies that evaluate half-time acquisitions for data reconstructed with Astonish.These data are being evaluated by certifying bodies for updating cardiology imaging guidelines to make nuclear cardiology more efficient.
How Astonish provides accurate processing
Astonish uses an iterative 3D-Ordered Subset Expectation Maximization (OSEM) algorithm with built-in corrections for resolution recovery, scatter correction, and attenuation correction. An accurate model of Philips cameras¹, collimators, and the measured imaging distance for acquisition angles is applied to the patient data to remove the blurring effect of the collimator. Scatter and attenuation correction can also be applied if a CT attenuation map is present.
¹ The following cameras support Astonish: Precedence, BrightView, BrightView XCT, Skylight, Forte with JETStream acquisition, CardioMD II and CardioMD III.