Improved Scatter Reduction Grids for Mammography

描述（由申请人提供）：每年有超过180,000名美国妇女被诊断出乳腺癌，导致每年超过40,000人死亡。乳房x光检查是目前乳腺疾病最好的诊断工具。Mikro系统公司提议开发一种用于乳房x光检查的改进的散射减少网格。散射的x射线辐射降低了所有放射图像的对比度。高对比度在乳房x线摄影中尤其重要，可以早期发现可能提示癌症存在的微钙化或异常肿块。MSI开发了一种创新的工艺，用于生产比现有网格性能更好的乳房x线摄影网格，价格更实惠。在第一阶段，MSI将展示生产改进的高分辨率散射减少网格的技术可行性。乳房x线摄影网格的样本切片将产生适合乳房x线摄影成像的细胞大小、间隔壁、网格比例和密度。在第二阶段，该技术将扩大到生产全尺寸乳房x线摄影网格，并将进行初步临床测试。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant):Breast cancer is diagnosed in over 180,000 American women each year, leading to over 40,000 deaths annually. Screening mammography is currently the best diagnostic tool for breast disease. Mikro Systems, Inc. proposes to develop an improved scatter reduction grid for in mammography. Scattered x-ray radiation reduces contrast in all radiographic images. High contrast is especially important in mammography to allow early detection of micro calcifications or unusual masses that may suggest the presence of a cancer. MSI has developed an innovative process for producing mammography grids with better performance than current grids, at a more affordable price. In Phase I, MSI will demonstrate the technical feasibility of producing an improved high-resolution scatter reduction grid. Sample sections of mammography grids will be produced having cell size, septal walls, grid ratio, and density suitable for mammographic imaging. In Phase II, the technique will be scaled up to produce full-size mammography grids and preliminary clinical testing will be conducted. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: This technology will improve mammagraphic imaging quality and will allow cost effective manufacturing of advanced scatter reduction grids. Additional commercial applications of this technology include improved grids, collimators and detector arrays for computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, and general radiography.