Multi-beam X-ray Source based Computed Tomography Platform

计算机断层摄影（CT）成像技术的进步目前受到单个CT机上存在的X射线发生器数量少的限制。目前，X射线管围绕患者机械旋转以从多个角度获取图像-这种方法仅允许有限的图像分辨率，对患者的过度辐射暴露较少，并且耗时。多束X射线CT的可用性将极大地提高成像分辨率和成像速度，同时减少输送给患者的辐射剂量。近年来，Yeow博士在双束X射线源方面取得了重大的研究进展，为实现功能性多束X射线CT奠定了基础。然而，现有的实验装置已经超过了其最大工作能力，需要具有更高功率范围的X射线测试平台来全面表征器件性能，如X射线功率，开关速度和寿命。 我们建议为X射线系统提供资金，用于开发和优化下一代X射线成像系统。拟议的设备是一个二手的实时工业X射线系统，它将升级与姚博士的新的多束X射线源技术和修改与威利特博士的机械部件。这些组件将使系统能够适应不同的辐射设备设计，使其适用于从医学成像到工业无损检测（NDT）的一系列实验。 该方案的目的是开发：㈠一种新型的基于碳纳米管的场发射X射线源，Yeow博士将使用该源开发用于医学成像的通量场调制计算机断层扫描系统; ㈡用于航天器检查的场发射反向散射X射线无损检测系统; ㈢基于纳米材料的X射线剂量计。由拟议设备启用的研究计划将大大提高Yeow博士的多束X射线源的性能，并允许开发功能性多束X射线CT。拟建的设施还将为Wong博士提供捕获3D图像的能力，这些图像将用于开发下一代CT的3D图像重建算法和软件;并将使Willett博士能够对骨和骨启发复合材料进行关键的实时无损检测成像，以研究机械测试期间的多尺度变形现象。 所要求的设备将使多束X射线CT成为可能，这将影响（i）医疗保健系统，通过提供更好的诊断能力来检测癌症等疾病;（ii）制造业，通过对材料和产品进行快速，高分辨率的无损检测。所要求的设备还将允许十多名研究生和许多合作学生在纳米技术，生物医学工程，医学成像和材料研究领域接受培训。

Advances in computed tomography (CT) imaging technology are currently limited by the low number of X-ray generators present on a single CT machine. Currently, X-ray tube is mechanically rotated around a patient to acquire images from multiple angles - this approach only allows for limited resolution of images, leas to excessive radiation exposure to the patient, and is time consuming. The availability of a multi-beam X-ray CT will greatly improve imaging resolution and imaging speed, while decreasing radiation dosage delivered to patients. Recently, Dr. Yeow has made significant research progress on dual-beam X-ray sources, which has laid the foundation for realization of a functional multi-beam X-ray CT. However, the existing experimental setup has exceeded its maximum working capacity, and an X-ray testing platform with a higher power range is necessary to fully characterize device performance such as X-ray power, switching speed, and lifetime. We propose funding for an X-ray system to be used for the development and optimization of next generation X-ray imaging systems. The proposed equipment is a second-hand real-time industrial X-ray system, which will be upgraded with Dr. Yeow’s new multi-beam X-ray sources technology and modified with Dr. Willett’s mechanical components. These components will allow the system to accommodate different radiation device designs, making it suitable for use in a range of experiments from medical imaging to industrial non-destructive testing (NDT). The aims of the program are to develop :(i) a novel carbon nanotube (CNT)-based field emission X-ray source, which will be used by Dr. Yeow in the development of a Fluence Field Modulated Computed Tomography (FFMCT) system for medical imaging; (ii) a field emission backscattering X-ray NDT system for spacecraft inspection; and (iii) nanomaterial-based X-ray dosimeter. The research program enabled by the proposed equipment will greatly enhance performance of Dr. Yeow’s multi-beam X-ray source and allow the development of a functional multi-beam X-ray CT. The proposed facility will also provide Dr. Wong the capability to capture 3D images that will be used in the development of 3D image reconstruction algorithms and software of the next generation CT; and will enable Dr. Willett’s crucial real-time NDT imaging of bone and bone-inspired composite materials to investigate multi-scale deformation phenomena during mechanical testing. The requested equipment will enable multi-beam X-ray CT, which will impact (i) health care systems, by providing better diagnostic capability to detect diseases such as cancer; and (ii) the manufacturing industry, by enabling fast, high-resolution NDT of materials and products. The requested equipment will also allow over ten graduate students and many co-op students to be trained in the fields of nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, medical imaging, and material research.