Improved Scatter Reduction Grids for Mammography

描述(由申请人提供)：此第二阶段SBIR应用程序建议开发用于数字和胶片屏幕乳房X光摄影的改进的散射减少栅格。每年有超过18万名美国女性被诊断为乳腺癌，每年导致超过4万人死亡。筛查乳房X光检查是目前诊断乳腺疾病的最佳工具。分散的X射线辐射降低了所有放射图像的对比度，这在乳房X光照相中尤其成问题。高对比度成像可以早期发现异常(微钙化或异常肿块)，这可能表明癌症的存在。MSI开发了一种创新工艺，使用具有成本效益的制造技术和创新的栅格材料，生产用于乳房X光检查的先进散射减少栅格。 在第一阶段，微星公司通过设计和制造致密的钨粉/聚合物复合材料制成的蜂窝防散射栅格，证明了技术上的可行性。实验室测试和分析表明，在主传输、散射与主比、对比度改善因子和巴基因子方面的成像性能可与目前可用的最好的商业防散射栅格相媲美。第二阶段计划将继续开发这一创新的制造技术，主要目标如下：1.该工艺将扩大规模，生产全尺寸(18 x 24厘米)乳房X光照相网格。2.将研究和优化胶片和基于数字的系统的网格移动方案。3.将设计、制造和测试用于数字探测器的固定防散射栅。4.二期防散射格栅将在实验室和临床测试中进行评估。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Phase II SBIR application proposes to develop improved scatter reduction grids for use in both digital and film screen mammography. 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. Scattered x-ray radiation reduces contrast in all radiographic images and is particularly problematic in mammography. High contrast imaging enables early detection of abnormalities (microcalcifications or unusual masses), which may suggest the presence of a cancer. MSI has developed an innovative process for producing advanced scatter reduction grids for mammography, using a cost effective fabrication technique, and an innovative grid material. In Phase I, MSI proved technical feasibility by designing and fabricating cellular anti-scatter grids made of a dense tungsten powder / polymer composite material. Laboratory testing and analysis demonstrated imaging performance in terms of primary transmission, scatter-to-primary ratio, contrast improvement factor and Bucky factor comparable to the best commercial anti-scatter grids currently available. The Phase II program will continue to develop this innovative fabrication technology with the following primary objectives: 1. The process will be scaled up to produce full-size (18 x 24 cm) mammography grids. 2. Grid movement schemes for film and digital based systems will be investigated and optimized. 3. Stationary anti-scatter grids for use with digital detectors will be designed, fabricated, and tested. 4. Phase II anti-scatter grids will be evaluated in laboratory and clinical testing.