Improved Scatter Reduction Grids for Mammography

描述（由申请人提供）：乳腺癌被诊断在超过180，000美国妇女每年，导致超过40，000人死亡。筛查性乳房X光检查是目前乳腺疾病的最佳诊断工具。Mikro Systems，Inc.提出开发一种用于乳房X线摄影的改进的散射减少网格。散射的X射线辐射降低了所有射线照相图像的对比度。高对比度在乳腺X线摄影中尤其重要，可以早期检测到可能提示癌症存在的微钙化或异常肿块。MSI开发了一种创新工艺，以更实惠的价格生产比当前网格性能更好的乳腺X射线摄影网格。在第一阶段，MSI将证明生产改进的高分辨率散射减少网格的技术可行性。将生成乳腺X线摄影网格的样本切片，其单元大小、间隔壁、网格比率和密度适用于乳腺X线摄影成像。在第二阶段，该技术将扩大规模，以生产全尺寸的乳房X线摄影网格，并进行初步的临床测试。 拟定商业应用：该技术将提高乳房X线摄影成像质量，并将允许具有成本效益的先进的散射减少网格的制造。 该技术的其他商业应用包括改进的网格、准直器和用于计算机断层扫描（CT）、核医学和普通放射照相术的检测器阵列。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant):Breast cancer is diagnosed in over 180,000 American women each year, leading to over 40,000 deaths annually. Screening mammography is currently the best diagnostic tool for breast disease. Mikro Systems, Inc. proposes to develop an improved scatter reduction grid for in mammography. Scattered x-ray radiation reduces contrast in all radiographic images. High contrast is especially important in mammography to allow early detection of micro calcifications or unusual masses that may suggest the presence of a cancer. MSI has developed an innovative process for producing mammography grids with better performance than current grids, at a more affordable price. In Phase I, MSI will demonstrate the technical feasibility of producing an improved high-resolution scatter reduction grid. Sample sections of mammography grids will be produced having cell size, septal walls, grid ratio, and density suitable for mammographic imaging. In Phase II, the technique will be scaled up to produce full-size mammography grids and preliminary clinical testing will be conducted. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: This technology will improve mammagraphic imaging quality and will allow cost effective manufacturing of advanced scatter reduction grids. Additional commercial applications of this technology include improved grids, collimators and detector arrays for computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, and general radiography.