Improved Scatter Reduction Grids for Mammography

描述（由申请人提供）：本II期SBIR申请建议开发用于数字和胶片屏幕乳腺X射线摄影的改进型散射减少滤线栅。每年有超过180，000名美国妇女被诊断出患有乳腺癌，每年导致超过40，000人死亡。筛查性乳房X光检查是目前乳腺疾病的最佳诊断工具。散射的X射线辐射降低了所有射线照相图像中的对比度，并且在乳房X射线照相术中特别成问题。高对比度成像能够早期发现异常（微钙化或不寻常的肿块），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滤线栅材料生产用于乳腺X射线摄影的先进散射减少滤线栅。 在第一阶段，MSI通过设计和制造由致密钨粉/聚合物复合材料制成的蜂窝状防散射格栅，证明了技术可行性。实验室测试和分析表明，在初级透射率、散射与初级比、对比度改善因子和Bucky因子方面的成像性能可与目前可用的最佳商用防散射滤线栅相媲美。第二阶段计划将继续开发这种创新的制造技术，主要目标如下：1。该过程将扩大规模，以生产全尺寸（18 x 24 cm）乳房X线摄影网格。2.将研究和优化基于胶片和数字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格栅。4.将在实验室和临床试验中对第II阶段防散射滤线栅进行评价。

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.