Next Generation Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Scanner

描述（由申请人提供）：乳腺X线摄影是目前早期发现乳腺癌最有效的筛查和诊断工具。然而，目前的2视图乳腺X射线摄影方法缺乏灵敏度，并且具有非常高的误报率。X射线数字乳腺断层合成摄影（DBT）是一种新兴的技术，用于生成多层图像，以提供深度分辨率和改善的对比度。该提案的目标是开发下一代DBT扫描仪，在潜在的降低剂量和成本的情况下显着提高系统性能。所有当前的商业原型DBT扫描仪都使用常规的全视野数字乳腺X射线摄影（FFDM）系统，以使用沿着沿着压缩乳房上方的弧移动的单个X射线源从有限的角度范围生成一系列投影视图。这样的扫描仪具有若干固有限制，包括：1）源旋转导致长扫描时间和乳房压迫患者的不适;以及2）源的缓慢运动导致运动模糊和系统不稳定，这限制了空间分辨率。此外，较长的扫描时间阻碍了高级成像方法的适应，例如双能量和准单色以及k边缘成像，其可以潜在地提供更好的对比度并降低成像剂量。我们建议开发一种新型的固定DBT扫描仪，以减轻上述限制。该装置基于我们团队发明和演示的新型碳纳米管（CNT）多像素场发射X射线（MBFEX）技术。与当前的商业设备相比，该扫描仪的设计将提供以下优势：成像速度提高10倍;提高空间分辨率;简化系统设计并降低成本;以及在合理的扫描时间内进行双能量和准单色成像。已经证明了所提出的装置的可行性。该提案的目标是将该技术提升到一个新的水平，从实验室概念验证组件转变为将用于临床研究的全功能系统。我们已经形成了一个合作伙伴关系，包括来自北卡罗来纳州查佩尔山大学（北卡罗来纳大学），南伊利诺伊大学（SIU）和XinRay Systems（西门子和Xintek合资企业）（XinRay）的跨学科团队。该团队开创了CNT MBFEX技术和静态断层成像概念。XinRay最近成立，专门用于制造和商业化用于X射线成像的MBFEX技术。SIU的团队在乳腺断层合成摄影的重建和图像分析方面拥有丰富的经验。公共卫生相关性：该提案的目标是开发下一代数字乳腺断层合成（DBT）扫描仪，用于人类乳腺癌的检测和诊断，具有显着提高的成像速度和分辨率，并可能降低剂量和成本。为了完成这项工作，我们建立了一个合作伙伴关系，由北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校（University of North Carolina查佩尔山）、南伊利诺伊大学（Southern Illinois University）和XinRay Systems（西门子和Xintek合资企业）组成的跨学科团队组成。优化后的设备将安装在北京医学院，作为共享成像设备，并用于未来的临床研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Mammography is currently the most effective screening and diagnostic tool for early detection of breast cancer. However the current 2-view mammography method lacks sensitivity and has a very high false alarm rate. X-ray digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an emerging technique for producing multi-slice images to provide depth resolution and improved contrast. The goal of this proposal is to develop the next generation DBT scanner with significantly improved system performance at potentially reduced dose and cost. All current commercial prototype DBT scanners use a regular full-field digital mammography (FFDM) system to generate a series of projection views from a limited angle range using a single x-ray source that moves along an arc above the compressed breast. Such scanners have several intrinsic limitations including: 1) the source rotation leads to long scanning time and discomfort for patients from breast compression; and 2) the slow motion of the source leads to motion blurring and system instability that limited the spatial resolution. In addition the long scanning time prevents the adaptation of advanced imaging methods such as dual energy and quasi-monochromatic, and k- edge imaging which can potentially provide better contrast and reduce imaging dose. We propose to develop a novel stationary DBT scanner to mitigate the above limitations. This proposed device is based on the new carbon nanotube (CNT) multi-pixel field emission x- ray (MBFEX) technology invented and demonstrated by our team. The scanner will be designed to offer the following advantages over the current commercial units: a factor of 10 increase of the imaging speed; increased spatial resolution; simplified system design and reduced cost; and dual energy and quasi-monochromatic imaging at a reasonable scanning time. The feasibility of the proposed device has been demonstrated. The goal of this proposal is to take this technology to the next level moving from a laboratory proof-of-concept assembly to a fully functional system that will be used for clinical studies. We have formed a partnership comprising an interdisciplinary team from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC), Southern Illinois University (SIU), and XinRay Systems - a Siemens and Xintek Joint Venture (XinRay). The UNC team pioneered the CNT MBFEX technology and the stationary tomography imaging concept. XinRay was recently established specifically for the purpose of manufacturing and commercializing the MBFEX technology for x-ray imaging. The group at SIU has extensive experiences is reconstruction and image analysis for breast tomosynthesis. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The goal of this proposal is to develop the next generation digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) scanner for detection and diagnostic of human breast cancer with significantly improved imaging speed and resolution, and potentially reduced dose and cost. To perform this work we have formed a partnership comprising an interdisciplinary team from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC), Southern Illinois University (SIU), and XinRay Systems - a Siemens and Xintek Joint Venture (XinRay). The optimized device will be installed at the UNC medical school as a shared imaging facility and for future clinical studies