Direct conversion medical imaging detector with Lead Oxide (PbO) x-ray-to-charge transducer.

X射线成像探测器依赖于X射线量子到电子信号的间接或直接转换，其中间接方法在商业系统上最常见。在这种情况下，多级转换过程开始于闪烁体将X射线量子转换成光学光子。可见光子依次扩散通过磷光体，然后由光电二极管阵列转换为电子。在直接方法中，X射线量子被吸收在光电导体中，光电导体直接产生电荷以在成像阵列中产生电子信号。直接转换固有的主要优点是高空间分辨率。最近，雷克黑德大学的Reznik小组合成了一种用于直接转换X射线成像系统的新光电导体材料，称为非晶氧化铅（a-PbO），并证明a-PbO基探测器在较低的X射线曝光下具有更高的灵敏度。这对成像系统设计者具有核心益处，即减少入射X射线剂量以获取诊断图像，从而提高一般放射摄影和图像引导介入手术的整体安全性，或者在典型的X射线曝光下提高图像质量。Teledyne DALSA是一家加拿大公司，也是医疗和工业成像市场数字成像产品和解决方案的全球领导者，它认识到a-PbO作为下一代DALSA直接转换平板X射线成像探测器中的X射线充电传感器的应用潜力。然而，在其独特的成像性能可以在商业系统中实现之前，a-PbO技术必须得到改进。特别是，为了在DALSA的探测器中使用，a-PbO技术必须根据DALSA的产品要求进行定制。这需要使用专门的材料科学和工程方法，这是Reznik小组的专业知识。Reznik博士的团队有能力解决这个公司特有的问题，并调整a-PbO技术，以应用于DALSA的直接转换X射线医学成像探测器，用于低剂量实时应用。

X-ray imaging detectors rely on indirect or direct conversion of x-ray quanta to an electron signal, with the indirect method most commonly on commercial systems. In this case the multi-stage conversion process begins with a scintillator converting x-ray quanta into optical photons. The optical photons in turn diffuse through a phosphor and then are converted to electrons by an array of photodiodes. In the direct method, the x-ray quanta are absorbed in a photoconductor that directly creates electrical charge to generate an electron signal in the imaging array. The major advantage inherent in direct conversion is high spatial resolution. Recently, Reznik's group at Lakehead University synthesized a new photoconductor material for direct conversion x-ray imaging systems, called amorphous Lead Oxide (a-PbO), and demonstrated that a-PbO-based detectors have greater sensitivity at lower x-ray exposures. This has the core benefit to the imaging system designer of either reducing the incident x-ray dose to acquire a diagnostic image, and thereby improve the overall safety of general radiography and image-guided interventional procedures, or at typical x-ray exposures to improve image quality. Teledyne DALSA, a Canadian and a global leader in digital imaging products and solutions for medical and industrial imaging markets, recognizes the high potential of the application of a-PbO as an x-ray-to-charge transducer in the next generation of DALSA's direct conversion flat panel x-ray imaging detectors. However, a-PbO technology has to be improved before its unique imaging properties can be realized in commercial systems. Particularly, for use in DALSA's detectors, a-PbO technology has to be tailored to DALSA's product requirements. This demands the use of specialized material science and engineering approaches, which are the expertise of the Reznik's group. Dr. Reznik's group is well-positioned to solve this company-specific problem and to adjust a-PbO technology for applications in DALSA's direct conversion x-ray medical imaging detectors for low-dose real-time applications.