MASDA-X--AN OPTIMIZED FLAT-PANEL DIGITAL X-RAY IMAGER

该申请提出了一项雄心勃勃的研究计划，以开发一种 新的，实时，数字，平板成像技术的基础上，多， 用于X射线成像的非晶硅探测器阵列（MASDA-X）。 的 抗辐射阵列将包括一个二维的，自扫描的 2500 × 2500像素的矩阵，像素间距为100微米， 25平方厘米的成像区域。 成像仪由X射线转换器、 阵列和相关的采集电子设备。 这种成像器提供 相对于现有技术的重大潜在优势包括：（a） 具有即时图像捕获和呈现的数字射线照相成像 以相当于或甚至比电影屏幕更少的曝光 和CR系统：（B）使用紧凑单元的实时荧光透视成像， 胶片盒的尺寸，图像质量不受 影响X射线图像增强器（XRII）系统的失真和眩光; (c)曝光和动态范围与CR系统相当， 与电影屏幕系统相比;（d）空间分辨率为5 l p/mm 其上级于现有XRII装置;及（e）成本低 设备提供低维护和有保证的质量成像。 整体 这项研究的目的是确定平板技术是否 能够制造性能相当的成像装置，或者 上级于已建立的技术（例如电影屏幕和CR X射线照相和X射线荧光透视系统）。 的具体目标 研究内容包括：（l）开发成像系统， 分别优化射线照相和荧光透视的成像性能。 优化方法将涉及成像器的迭代过程， 构造、性能评估、理论建模和设计 （2）建立必要的采集电子设备， 允许成像器的最佳信噪比性能， 成像仪研究;（3）彻底量化的性能， 图像通过测量其属性，包括观察者- 独立的性能变量：MTF（f）、DQE（f）和DQE（f），以确定 该成像仪的信号和噪声特性与 现有技术;（4）进行初步定量检测 成像仪可能的临床效用，通过依赖于 研究比较的性能的平板成像仪， 最先进的电影屏幕，CR和XRII系统采用各种 幻影 如果平板X射线成像仪的性能能够 可以接受的，他们的潜在优势是这样的，这项技术可以 在世纪早期成为一种主要的放射学工具， 对医疗保健产生了深远的影响。 拟议研究 将回答这样一个基本问题： 这些技术提供了与之相当或上级 现有技术，因此需要大量投资 这将需要将这些物质投入临床使用。

This application proposes an ambitious program of research to develop a new, real-time, digital, flat-panel imaging technology based upon a Multi- element Amorphous Silicon Detector Array for X-ray imaging (MASDA-X). The radiation-resistant array will consist of a 2-dimensional, self-scanning matrix of 2500 x 2500 pixels at a pixel pitch of 100 microns giving a 25 x 25 cm square imaging area. The imager consists of an x-ray converter, the array, and the associated acquisition electronics. Such imagers offer significant potential advantages over existing technologies including: (a) digital radiographic imaging with immediate image capture and presentation at equivalent or perhaps even considerably less exposure than film-screen and CR systems: (b) real-time fluoroscopic imaging with a compact unit the size of a film-cassette and with image quality free of the effects of distortion and glare that affect x-ray image intensifier (XRII) systems; (c) exposure and dynamic range comparable to that of CR systems and large compared to film-screen systems; (d) a spatial resolution of 5 l p/mm which is superior to that of existing XRII units; and (e) low cost devices offering low-maintenance and assured quality imaging. The overall objective of this research is to determine if flat-panel technology is capable of creating imaging devices with performance comparable or superior to established technologies (eg. film-screen and CR for radiography and XRII systems for fluoroscopy). The specific aims of the research are: (l) development of the imaging system in a manner so as to optimize imaging performance separately for radiography and fluoroscopy. The optimization method will involve an iterative procedure of imager construction, performance evaluation, theoretical modeling, and design improvement; (2) creation of the acquisition electronics necessary to allow optimal signal-to-noise performance of the imager and execution of the imager studies; (3) thorough quantification of the performance of the imager through measurement of its properties including observer- independent performance variables: MTF(f), DQE(f), and NPS(f) to determine how the signal and noise properties of this imager compare to those of existing technologies; (4) execution of initial quantitative examination of the possible clinical utility of the imager through observer-dependent studies comparing the performance of the flat-panel imager to that of state-of-the-art film-screen, CR, and XRII systems employing a variety of phantoms. If the performance of flat-panel x-ray imagers can be made acceptable, their potential advantages are such that this technology could become a major radiological tool early in the 21st century with a correspondingly profound impact upon health care. The proposed research will answer the essential questions of whether imagers built from this technology offer quantitative performance comparable or superior to current established technologies and thus warrant the massive investments that will be required to bring such matters into clinical use.