Lead Oxide (PbO) technology optimization

直接转换X射线探测器开启了放射医学成像的新纪元。事实上，最先进的直接转换乳房X光照相检测器提供了其他方法无法实现的对微小乳房病变的最高检测能力。目前，乳房X光直接转换探测器使用一层非晶态硒(a-Se)来将X射线转换为可测量的信号。尽管a-Se在X射线照相应用中提供了可能无与伦比的性能，但它是一种“软的”(即低原子序数Z)材料，在普通射线照相中使用时，它对高能X射线的吸收能力不佳。为了将直接转换探测器的诊断能力扩展到射线照相和透视能量范围，a-Se必须被高Z材料取代，这种材料可以有效地阻止高能X射线。申请者Alla Reznik博士和她在湖头大学的研究小组最近合成了一种非晶态氧化铅(a-PbO)，由于高Z值铅、高理论X射线信号转换效率、足够的光导性能以及与平板探测器技术的技术兼容性，它成为最有希望用于这一目的的候选材料之一。尽管前景看好，但a-PbO层仍处于实验阶段，需要技术进步才能实际应用。Intlvac Inc.是加拿大氧化物沉积技术的领先者，目前正寻求进入辐射敏感涂料市场。Intlvac对PbO的商业成功很感兴趣，并将与Reznik博士合作制造探测器级a-PbO层。我们相信，利用a-PBO有可能创建最强大的X射线诊断成像系统，通过减少或提高典型曝光下的剂量或改善图像质量，从而造福加拿大和世界各地的医疗保健。

Direct conversion x-ray detectors opened a new era in radiation medical imaging. Indeed, state-of-the-art directconversion mammographic detectors offer supreme detectability of small breast lesions not achievable withother methods. Currently, mammographic direct conversion detectors employ a layer of amorphous selenium(a-Se) to convert x-rays into measurable signal. Although a-Se offers probably unbeatable performance formammographic applications, it is a "soft" (i.e. low atomic number Z) material and suffers from suboptimalabsorption of energetic X-rays, used in general radiography. To extend diagnostic capabilities of the directconversion detectors over radiographic and fluoroscopic energy range, a-Se has to be replaced with high Zmaterial, which can efficiently stop energetic X-rays. The applicant, Dr. Alla Reznik and her research group atLakehead University recently synthesized an amorphous lead oxide (a-PbO) which became one of the mostpromising candidates for this purpose, due to high Z of Pb, high theoretical X-ray-to-signal conversionefficiency, adequate photoconductive properties and technological compatibility with flat panel detectortechnology. Although very promising, a-PbO layers are still experimental and require technological advancesfor practical utilization. Intlvac Inc., a Canadian leader in oxide deposition technology and currently looking toenter the market of radiation-sensitive coatings. Intlvac is interested in commercial success of PbO and willcollaborate with Dr. Reznik to make detector-grade a-PbO layers. We believe that utilization of a-PbO has apotential to create the most powerful x-ray diagnostic imaging systems to the benefit of healthcare in Canadaand worldwide by allowing the dose reduction or improvement of image quality at typical exposures.