APPARATUS AND METHOD USING DEEP LEARNING (DL) TO COMPENSATE FOR LARGE FOCAL SPOT SIZE IN X-RAY PROJECTION IMAGING

A method and apparatus is provided that uses a deep learning (DL) network to correct projection images acquired using an X-ray source with a large focal spot size. The DL network is trained using a training dataset that includes input data and target data. The input data includes large-focal-spot-size X-ray projection data, and the output data includes small-focal-spot-size X-ray projection data (i.e., smaller than the focal spot of the input data). Thus, the DL network is trained to improve the resolution of projection data acquired using a large focal spot size, and obtain a resolution similar to what is achieved using a small focal spot size. Further, the DL network is can be trained to additional correct other aspects of the projection data (e.g., denoising the projection data).