A novel, stationary 3D X-ray source for improved breast imaging

“该项目旨在展示如何通过Adaptix的新型X射线源更早地检测乳腺癌。在英国，每8名女性中就有1名在生命的某个阶段被诊断出患有乳腺癌，这是英国女性最常见的癌症（31%的女性癌症诊断为乳腺癌）。更早、更准确的检测可以提高生存率，并降低需要根治性手术（乳房切除术）和积极后续治疗的可能性。与目前的2D乳腺X射线摄影系统相比，Adaptix源将实现更高的灵敏度，其中一些癌症可能会被覆盖的组织掩盖，特别是在乳房致密的女性中。我们的源使用小型X射线发射器的固定阵列，而不是单个源，从而覆盖一系列角度和独特的方式来获取有关乳房的3D信息。这将使检查速度更快，更准确，比目前的3D乳腺断层合成系统，物理移动源，因为移动可以模糊精细的细节，如在癌症的早期阶段看到的钙化。Adaptix已经展示了使用平板X射线源分析牙齿和关节。乳腺成像对图像质量的要求是所有X射线程序中最高的，并且要求Adaptix源更大，X射线能量更低。该项目将支持Adaptix与萨里大学和RSCH合作，他们已经开发了一套完整的端到端乳腺摄影模拟工具，并将其应用于Adaptix源。该软件模拟每个发射器的X射线输出，选定的探测器对X射线的精确响应，并使用这些来虚拟成像大量详细和逼真的虚拟乳腺模型，无论是否患有癌症。结果与真实的图像难以区分。这意味着可以对大量参数进行实验和优化，而无需开发多个物理原型或在临床研究中对女性进行辐射。该项目将展示Adaptix源的理论优势，这将有助于Adaptix与一家全球医疗系统公司签订合同，英国发明了CT和MRI扫描仪，这两种扫描仪现在都在海外生产。支持Adaptix将有助于将另一项变革性的英国技术推向市场，降低世界级医疗保健的成本，并保持在岸生产，以确保英国制造业的就业机会。"

"This project aims to show how breast cancer can be detected earlier by Adaptix's novel X-ray source.In the UK, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life, the most common cancer in women in the UK (31% of cancers diagnosed in women are breast cancer). Earlier, more accurate detection enables better chances of survival and reduces the likelihood of needing radical surgery (mastectomy) and aggressive follow-up treatment.The Adaptix source will enable higher sensitivity compared to current 2D mammography systems where some cancers can be obscured by overlying tissue, especially in women with dense breasts. Our source uses a stationary array of small X-ray emitters, instead of a single source, thereby covering a range of angles and a unique way to derive 3D information about a breast. This will make the examination faster and more accurate than current 3D breast tomosynthesis systems that physically move the source, since the movement can blur fine detail such as calcifications seen in the early stages of cancer.Adaptix have already demonstrated the use of a flat panel X-ray source for analysing teeth and joints. Breast imaging requires the highest image quality of all X-ray procedures, and requires the Adaptix source to be larger and with a lower X-ray energy.This project will support Adaptix to work with Surrey University and RSCH, who have developed a complete set of end-to-end mammography simulation tools and will apply this to the Adaptix source. The software models every emitter's X-ray output, a chosen detector's exact response to X-rays, and uses these to virtually image a large range of detailed and realistic virtual breast models with and without cancer. The results are indistinguishable from real images. It means that a huge range of parameters can be experimented with and optimized without having to develop multiple physical prototypes or subject women to radiation in a clinical study.This project will demonstrate the theoretical advantages of the Adaptix source, which will help Adaptix secure a contract with a global medical systems company, to integrate this source into a new line of precision mammography devices for worldwide distribution.The UK invented the CT and MRI scanner, both of which are now manufactured off-shore. Supporting Adaptix will help bring another transformational UK technology to market and reduce the cost of world-class healthcare, as well as keeping production on-shore to secure UK manufacturing jobs."