Neonatal Chest Phantom for Computed Radiography Testing

本提案的长期目标是开发放射成像模型，以满足数字x射线成像新兴领域的以下关键需求：日常操作的质量控制程序；用户评估产品、进行验收测试和确定最佳系统运行参数的质量保证方法；制造商测试新硬件和软件产品的开发工具。由于新生儿胸部x线摄影在技术上具有挑战性，并且具有深远的辐射剂量影响，因此它被选为幻影发展的焦点。幻影将包含用于客观和主观测量系统性能的测试对象。该项目的第一阶段包括以下具体目标：1)建立定义新生儿胸影的参数；2)根据上述参数构建原型幻影；3)评估原型幻影对临床任务的适用性。成功的幻影设计将由图像的外观和直方图分析决定；解剖结构的衰减值；放射科医生的诊断性能通过检测幻体内的测试物体。这种假体的临床意义在于，它可以用来确保设备的最佳性能，最大限度地减少x射线暴露和新生儿诱导恶性肿瘤的风险。拟议的商业应用：将开发一种新型x射线幻影，用于计算机放射照相和其他数字x射线成像设备。幻影将用于质量保证项目，作为设备供应商的设计工具，并作为减少辐射暴露的研究工具，同时保持图像质量。这个第一阶段的可行性提案将首先开发新生儿胸影，因为它测试了计算机x线摄影的局限性。据估计，在未来5到7年内，仅儿科幻影的全球市场就将达到2700万至3700万美元。随着数码x射线成像幻影的扩展，潜在市场应超过1.5亿美元。

This proposal's long-term goal is to develop radiographic phantoms to address the following critical needs in the emerging field of digital x- ray imaging: quality control procedures for daily operations; quality assurance methods for users to evaluate products, perform acceptance testing and determine optimum system operating parameters; development tools for manufacturers to test new hardware and software products. Because neonatal chest radiography is technically challenging and has profound radiation dose implications, it was selected as the focal point for phantom development. The phantom will contain test objects for objective and subjective measurement of system performance. Phase 1 of this project includes these Specific Aims: 1) Establish parameters that define the neonatal chest phantom; 2) Construct prototype phantoms based on the above parameters; 3) Evaluate the suitability of prototype phantoms for clinical tasks. Successful phantom design will be determined by the appearance and histogram analysis of images; the attenuation values of anatomic structures; and the diagnostic performances of radiologists with detection of test objects within the phantom. The clinical significance of this phantom is that it could be used to assure optimal performance of equipment and minimize x-ray exposure and the concomitant risk of induced malignancy to neonates. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: A new class of x-ray phantoms will be developed for use with computed radiography and other digital x-ray imaging devices. The phantom will be used in quality assurance programs, as a design tool for equipment vendors, and as a research tool for reducing radiation exposure while maintain image quality. This Phase 1 feasibility proposal will initially develop a neonatal chest phantom as it tests the limits of computed radiography. The worldwide market for this phantom is estimated to be $27,000,000 to $37,000,000 over the next five to seven years for the pediatric phantom alone. With the extension to a new class of digital x-ray imaging phantoms, the potential market should exceed $150,000,000.