HYBRID, FLAT-PANEL, ACTIVE MATRIX MAMMOGRAPHIC IMAGER

自20世纪80年代末开始发展以来，S，有源矩阵，平板电脑， 面板成像器(AMFP)以指数速度发展， 设备预计很快将达到30x40平方厘米，超过3x10/6像素，以及 像素间的间距低至100微米。鉴于学位很高 对开发数字获取乳房的改进方法感兴趣 图像，很自然地会提出这样一个问题：开发 实用、全视场、高分辨率(即50微米像素间距或 FINER)用于乳房X光摄影的AMFPI？ 当前AMFPI(基于直接或间接检测 接近)到50微米的投手是不可能的，因为 出现在100微米以下的各种严重困难。 因此，这项拨款申请建议检验这一假设 通过将根本性的创新引入平板电脑， 阵列设计，全场(即24x30平方厘米)直接和间接检测 AMFP具有符合严格要求的空间分辨率 乳房X光摄影应用是可行的。一个雄心勃勃的计划 提出了涉及迭代设计、制造和 评价(包括对观察员独立表现的衡量 变量如MTF(F)、NPS(F)和DQE(F)以及理论 基于级联系统方法的建模)一系列小型 (约5x6平方厘米，像素间距为50微米至100微米)和 全场(24x30平方厘米，像素间距50微米)原型成像器。一个 各种创新，这将绕过目前在 AMFPI的设计，将被开发和研究。成功者 拟议研究的结论将有助于创建新的 基于DIRECT和DIRECT的数字化乳腺X光成像技术 间接检测。这些技术将提供50微米像素 短期内的分辨率，如果需要，甚至更精细的像素 关于未来的决议。这样的AMFPI将提供数字化的前景 大动态范围成像，允许更宽的曝光范围和 与银幕电影相比，显著减少了重拍的需要 系统。现在建造这些成像器的成本会更低 AMFPI，可以打包成接近电影的轮廓 卡带。它们可能会提供一种探测量子效率 显著优于目前的屏幕-电影系统，允许 增强的图像质量和/或减少患者暴露和 最终可以作为早期诊断的一个非常有用的工具 乳腺癌的风险。

Since their initial development in the late 1980's, active-matrix, flat- panel imagers (AMFPIs) have developed at an exponential rate with devices expected soon to reach 30x40 cm2, to exceed 3x10/6 pixels, and with pixel-to-pixel pitches as low as 100 microm. Given the high degree of interest in developing improved means to digitally acquire breast images, it is natural to pose the question: "Is it feasible to develop a practical, full-field, high-resolution (i.e. 50 microm pixel pitch or finer) AMFPI for mammography?" The extrapolation of the design of present AMFPIs (based on either the direct or indirect detection approaches) to 50 microm pitchers of finer is not possible due to a variety of severe difficulties that arise below 100 microm. Consequently, this grant application proposes to test the hypothesis that, through the introduction of fundamental innovations to flat-panel array design, full-field (i.e. 24x30 cm2) direct and indirect detection AMFPIs with spatial resolutions consistent with the rigorous demands of the mammographic application are feasible. an ambitious program of research is proposed involving the iterative design, fabrication, and evaluation (including measurements of observer independent performance variables such as MTF(f), NPS(f) and DQE(f) as well as theoretical modeling based on a cascaded systems approach) of a series of small (approximately 5x6 cm2 with 50 microm to 100 microm pixel pitch) and full-field (24x30 cm2 with 50 mcirom pixel pitch) prototype imagers. A variety of innovations, which will circumvent present limitations in AMFPI design, will be developed and investigated. The successful conclusion of the proposed research will facilitate the creation of new digital mammographic x-ray imaging technologies based on both direct and indirect detection. These technologies will offer 50 microm pixel resolution in the near term, and if required, even finer pixel resolution int he future. Such AMFPIs would offer the promise of digital imaging with large dynamic range allowing wider exposure ranges and significantly reducing the need for retakes compared to screen-film systems. these imagers would be less costly to build them present AMFPIs, and could be packaged with a profile approaching that of a film cassette. They would potentially offer a detective quantum efficiency significantly superior to current screen-film systems allowing for enhanced image quality and/or a reduction in patient exposure and ultimately could serve as a highly useful tool in the early diagnosis of breast cancer.