Virtual imaging trials: An emerging experimental paradigm in imaging research and practice
As medical imaging technologies continue to accelerate in complexity, application, and multiplicity of design choices and use features, they should ideally be evaluated and optimized through human clinical trials. However, such trials are often impossible and impractical. Virtual imaging trials (VITs) offer a solution allowing scientists to conduct “human” trials of emerging imaging concepts and technologies via quick and cost effective simulations. VIT gives researchers a new experimental paradigm to answer fundamental questions that can only be practically answered using the precise controls and known ground truth afforded in the virtual domain. VIT is possible through realistic and accurate modeling of a) the patient, b) the imaging system, and c) the image interpretation process. This paper discusses these topics and offers demonstration examples of select applications of VIT in CT imaging.
