Novel Laser Scanning Technology for Computed Radiography

描述(由申请人提供)：该项目的目标是改善计算机放射成像系统的大小、稳健性、患者吞吐量和图像质量。运营效率正日益推动该行业向数字成像方向发展。计算机放射照相设备通常比数字放射照相系统便宜，但被认为提供的图像质量较低，患者吞吐量较低。我们的技术将使计算机放射成像在图像质量和吞吐量方面更有效地竞争，同时保持其在资本支出方面的成本优势。 我们建议将最近出现的一种技术，即垂直腔面发射激光器(VCSEL)阵列应用于激光扫描源。VCSEL阵列可以在单个芯片上单片制造，具有非常精确的间距和良好的性能一致性。该阵列可以取代使用单一激光器和旋转镜的飞点扫描仪。这将产生更紧凑和更坚固的扫描仪。此外，该技术还实现了LineScan操作模式。这一能力将扫描速度和图像质量之间的正常权衡转移到了更有利的位置。这样的LineScan装置已经用分立激光进行了演示，但这种系统的制造是具有挑战性的。 我们的项目将通过评估现有激光器阵列的性能，然后将这些激光器阵列整合到包括VCSEL阵列、透镜阵列和驱动电路的演示板中，来测试这种方法的可行性。将评估与计算机射线照相性能相关的演示板的性能特征。然后将演示板整合到一个系统中，并测量该系统的调制传递函数(MTF)并将其与标准系统进行比较。在第二阶段计划中，将建立一个全尺寸的原型，并将充分描述在点扫描和线扫描模式下运行的扫描仪的性能。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to improve the size, robustness, patient throughput and image quality of Computed Radiography systems. Operational efficiencies are increasingly driving the industry toward digital imaging. Computed radiography equipment is generally less expensive than digital radiography systems, but is perceived as offering somewhat lower image quality, and a lower patient throughput. Our technology would enable computed radiography to compete more effectively on an image quality and throughput basis, while maintaining its cost advantage in terms of capital expense. We propose to apply a technology that has recently become available, i.e. Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) arrays in the laser scanning source. VCSEL arrays can be fabricated monolithically on a single chip with a very precise spacing and good performance uniformity. The array can replace the flying spot scanners which use a single laser and a rotating mirror. This will result in a more compact and more robust scanner. In addition, the technology enables a linescan mode of operation. This ability shifts the normal trade-offs between scan speed and image quality to a more favorable point. Such linescan units have been demonstrated with discrete lasers, but the manufacturing of such systems is challenging. Our project will test the feasibility of this approach by evaluating the performance of available laser arrays, and then incorporating these laser arrays into a demonstration board that includes the VCSEL array, a lens array, and driver circuitry. The performance characteristics of the demo board relevant to computed radiography performance will be evaluated. The demonstration board will then be incorporated into a system, and the modulated transfer function (MTF) of the system will be measured and compared to a standard system. In a Phase II program, a full size prototype would be built, and the performance of scanners operated in both point scan and linescan mode would be fully characterized.