ADVANCED HIGH-RESOLUTION TWO-DIMENSIONAL X-RAY DETECTOR FOR MAMMOGRAPHY

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The goal of this project is to improve the image quality and reduce the cost of digital mammography. We have assembled a multidisciplinary team to develop a computed radiography (CR) system for mammography based on novel glass ceramic materials. These glass materials can be less expensive and attain better performance than existing photostimulable phosphor materials. They are transparent and, therefore, do not suffer from loss of resolution and increase in noise due to light scattering from grain boundaries, as do polycrystalline materials. The proposed research builds on breakthrough results obtained in an R21 project titled "Advanced highresolution two-dimensional x-ray detector". The new work will result in the design and construction of a prototype device that will be used to demonstrate the feasibility of our approach. Specifically, we will: Optimize the glass phosphor materials for use in mammography based on analysis results from advanced microscopy, and spectroscopic techniques, along with synchrotron measurements made at the Advanced Photon Source. Characterize the resolution, contrast, and noise properties of the materials using typical mammography spectra. Develop a large-format glass phosphor, approximately 18 x 24 cm in size, suitable for mammography. Design and construct a prototype readout system. Characterize and benchmark the new CR system and compare it to an existing DR system using image quality metrics such as detective quantum efficiency. Finalize the design parameters for a system that could be used clinically. We believe that with our new glass phosphor system, higher quality digital mammograms can be obtained at a fraction of the cost of existing systems. This technology, in turn, would make digital mammography more accessible and could lead to improvements in the early detection of breast cancer.