Dr. John M. Sabol Profile

Dr. John M. Sabol

Clinical Research Manager

SPIE Involvement:

Conference Chair | Editor | Author

John M. Sabol received his Ph.D. in Medical Biophysics from the University of Toronto in 1996. He has worked for three major medical imaging companies as a scientist and researcher. While Chief Scientist at GE Healthcare he did research across many systems and modalities including the development and clinical validation of dual energy and tomosynthesis applications of digital radiography. He is currently doing similar research at Konica Minolta Healthcare with a focus on the development and expansion of dynamic digital radiography applications. He has over 100 peer reviewed publications and proffered presentations and over 60 US and international patents.

Personally, John enjoys mentoring youth in STEM activities; he has mentored many FIRST robotics teams and leads an annual Space Exploration Merit Badge Clinic for the Boy Scouts. When not mentoring others, or spending time with his three children, John pursues his true passion, fly-fishing.

SPIE Journal Paper | 16 March 2022 Open Access

Science and practice of imaging physics through 50 years of SPIE Medical Imaging conferences

Adam Wang, Ian Cunningham, Mats Danielsson, Rebecca Fahrig, Thomas Flohr, Frederic Noo, Anders Tingberg, Wei Zhao, Ehsan Samei, Christoph Hoeschen, John Sabol, Jeffrey Siewerdsen, John Yorkston

JMI, Vol. 9, Issue S1, 012205, (March 2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JMI.9.S1.012205

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Proceedings Article | 18 March 2015 Paper

Metal artifact reduction in tomosynthesis imaging

Zhaoxia Zhang, Ming Yan, Kun Tao, Xiao Xuan, John Sabol, Hao Lai

Proceedings Volume 9412, 94125A (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2080923

KEYWORDS: Metals, Image filtering, Image segmentation, Reconstruction algorithms, Bone, X-ray imaging, Image processing algorithms and systems, Tissues, Ions, Neodymium

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Proceedings Article | 17 March 2011 Paper

Accurate joint space quantification in knee osteoarthritis: a digital x-ray tomosynthesis phantom study

Tanzania Sewell, Kelly Piacsek, Beth Heckel, John Sabol

Proceedings Volume 7961, 79615N (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.878768

KEYWORDS: Radiography, X-rays, Sensors, Detection and tracking algorithms, X-ray imaging, Visualization, Edge detection, Bone, Digital x-ray imaging, Medicine

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Proceedings Article | 13 March 2009 Paper

Quantitative radiography enabled by slot collimation and a novel scatter correction technique on a large-area flat panel x-ray detector

Meghan Yue, Adam Boden, John Sabol

Proceedings Volume 7258, 725818 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.813552

KEYWORDS: Aluminum, Collimation, X-rays, X-ray imaging, X-ray detectors, Sensors, Photons, Scatter measurement, Image quality, Polymethylmethacrylate

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Proceedings Article | 17 March 2007 Paper

Effect of acquisition parameters on image quality in digital tomosynthesis

Timothy Deller, Kadri Jabri, John Sabol, Xianfeng Ni, Gopal Avinash, Rowland Saunders, Renuka Uppaluri

Proceedings Volume 6510, 65101L (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.713777

KEYWORDS: Image quality, Image resolution, Modulation transfer functions, Sensors, Signal to noise ratio, Radiography, Chest, Medical imaging, Digital imaging, X-rays

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Proceedings Article | 2 March 2006 Paper

Simulated and experimental technique optimization of dual-energy radiography: abdominal imaging applications

John Sabol, Samuel Wheeldon, Kadri Jabri

Proceedings Volume 6142, 61421J (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.654001

KEYWORDS: Bone, Radiography, Data modeling, Tissues, Sensors, Monte Carlo methods, Optimization (mathematics), Abdomen, Aluminum, Renal calculi

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With growing clinical acceptance of dual-energy chest radiography, there is increased interest in the application of dual-energy techniques to other clinical areas. This paper describes the creation and experimental validation of a poly-energetic signal-propagation model for technique optimization of new dual-energy clinical applications. The model is verified using phantom experiments simulating typical abdominal radiographic applications such as Intravenous Urography (IVU) and the detection of pelvic and sacral bone lesions or kidney stones in the presence of bowel gas. The model is composed of a spectral signal propagation component and an image-processing component. The spectral propagation component accepts detector specifications, X-ray spectra, phantom and imaging geometry as inputs, and outputs the detected signal and estimated noise. The image-processing module performs dual-energy logarithmic subtraction and returns figures-of-merit such as contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), which are evaluated in conjunction with Monte Carlo calculations of dose. Phantoms assembled from acrylic, aluminum, and iodinated contrast-agent filled tubes were imaged using a range of kVp's and dose levels. Simulated and experimental results were compared by dose, clinical suitability, and system limitations in order to yield technique recommendations that optimize one or more figures-of-merit. The model accurately describes phantom images obtained in a low scatter environment. For the visualization of iodinated vessels in the abdomen and the detection of pelvic bone lesions, both simulated and experimental results indicate that dual-energy techniques recommended by the model yield significant improvements in CNR without significant increases in patient dose as compared to conventional techniques. For example the CNR of iodinated vessels can be doubled using two-thirds of the dose of a standard exam. Alternatively, in addition to a standard dose image, the clinician can obtain a dual-energy bone image with greater than 8-fold increase in CNR, with the addition of just 15% higher dose. It is expected that this tool will enable the rapid clinical utilization of new applications of dual-energy radiography.

Proceedings Article | 2 March 2006 Paper

The impact of cardiac gating on the detection of coronary calcifications in dual-energy chest radiography: a phantom study

John Sabol, Ray Liu, Rowland Saunders, Jonathan Markley, Nery Moreno, John Seamans, Scott Wiese, Kadri Jabri, Robert Gilkeson

Proceedings Volume 6142, 61421F (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.653387

KEYWORDS: Heart, Radiography, Tissues, Electrocardiography, Bone, Chest, Beam propagation method, Logic, Signal detection, Arteries

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The detection of coronary calcifications with CT is generally accepted as a useful method for predicting early onset of coronary artery disease. Film-screen X-ray and fluoroscopy have also been shown to have high predictive value for coronary disease diagnosis, but have minimal sensitivity. Recently, flat-panel detectors capable of dual-energy techniques have enabled the separation of soft-tissue and bone from images. Clinical studies report substantially improved sensitivity for the detection of coronary calcifications using these techniques. However, heart motion causes minor artefacts from misregistration of both calcified and soft-tissue structures, resulting in inconsistent detection of calcifications. This research examines whether cardiac gating improves the reliability of calcification detection. Single-energy, gated, and non-gated dual-energy imaging techniques are examined in a dynamic phantom model. A gating system was developed to synchronize two dual-energy exposures to a specified phase of the cardiac cycle. The performance and repeatability of the gating system was validated with the use of a cyclical phantom. An anthropomorphic phantom was developed to simulate both cardiac and soft-tissue motion, and generate ECG-like output signals. The anthropomorphic phantom and motion artefact accuracy was verified by comparison with clinical images of patients with calcifications. The ability of observers to detect calcifications in non-gated, and gated techniques was compared through the use of an ROC experiment. Gating visibly reduces the effect of motion artifacts in the dual-energy images. Without gating, motion artefacts cause greater variability in calcification detection. Comparison of the average area-under-the-curve of the ROC curves show that gating significantly increases the accuracy of calcification detection. The effects of motion and gating on DE cardiac calcification detection have been demonstrated and characterized in a phantom model that mimics the clinical scenario for dual-energy examinations. There exists significant potential for reliable cardiac calcification detection with gated dual-energy radiography.

Proceedings Article | 5 June 2003 Paper

Novel method for automated determination of the cancellation parameter in dual-energy imaging: evaluation using anthropomorphic phantom images

John Sabol, Gopal Avinash

Proceedings Volume 5030, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.480195

KEYWORDS: Tissues, Bone, Dual energy imaging, Lung, Algorithm development, Chest, Radiography, Imaging systems, X-rays, Chest imaging

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Proceedings Article | 28 June 2001 Paper

Development and characterization of a dual-energy subtraction imaging system for chest radiography based on CsI:Tl amorphous silicon flat-panel technology

John Sabol, Gopal Avinash, Francois Nicolas, Bernhard Claus, Jianguo Zhao, James Dobbins

Proceedings Volume 4320, (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.430897

KEYWORDS: Tissues, Dual energy imaging, Bone, Imaging systems, Chest, Aluminum, Prototyping, Radiography, Image quality, Electroluminescence

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Proceedings Article | 26 June 1998 Paper

Novel dry medical recording system

Bernard Apple, Jacob Beutel, John Sabol

Proceedings Volume 3335, (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.312528

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Absorbance, Radiography, Medical imaging, Printing, Diagnostics, Inkjet technology, Image quality, Solids, Silver

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Proceedings Article | 2 May 1997 Paper

Monte Carlo simulation of photon transport within a hybrid grid-detector system for digital mammography

John Sabol, John Boone

Proceedings Volume 3032, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.273993

KEYWORDS: Scattering, Sensors, X-rays, Absorption, Monte Carlo methods, Modulation transfer functions, Photon transport, Light scattering, Cladding, Reflectivity

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Proceedings Article | 2 May 1997 Paper

Imaging considerations for scintillating fiber optic screens

Tong Yu, John Sabol, James Seibert, John Boone

Proceedings Volume 3032, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.273978

KEYWORDS: Modulation transfer functions, Fiber optics, X-rays, Scintillators, Photons, Fiber optics tests, Imaging systems, Charge-coupled devices, Sensors, CCD cameras

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Showing 5 of 12 publications

SPIE Conference Volume | 18 May 2023

Medical Imaging 2023: Physics of Medical Imaging

Conference Committee Involvement (17)

Physics of Medical Imaging

16 February 2025 | San Diego, California, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

19 February 2024 | San Diego, California, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

20 February 2023 | San Diego, California, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

20 February 2022 | San Diego, California, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

15 February 2021 | Online Only, California, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

16 February 2020 | Houston, Texas, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

17 February 2019 | San Diego, California, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

12 February 2018 | Houston, Texas, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

13 February 2017 | Orlando, Florida, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging Posters

13 February 2017 | Orlando, FL, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

28 February 2016 | San Diego, California, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

22 February 2015 | Orlando, Florida, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

17 February 2014 | San Diego, California, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

11 February 2013 | Lake Buena Vista (Orlando Area), Florida, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

5 February 2012 | San Diego, California, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

13 February 2011 | Lake Buena Vista (Orlando), Florida, United States

Physics of Medical Imaging

15 February 2010 | San Diego, California, United States

Showing 5 of 17 Conference Committees

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