Lead Oxide (PbO) technology optimization

直接转换x射线探测器开创了放射医学成像的新时代。事实上，最先进的直接转换乳房x线摄影检测器提供了其他方法无法实现的小乳房病变的最高检测能力。目前，乳房x线摄影直接转换探测器采用一层无定形硒（a- se）将x射线转换为可测量的信号。尽管a- se可能提供了无可匹敌的性能，但它是一种“软”（即低原子序数Z）材料，并且在普通放射照相中使用的高能x射线吸收不佳。为了扩展直接转换探测器在x射线和荧光能量范围内的诊断能力，必须用高z材料取代a-Se，这种材料可以有效地阻止高能x射线。申请人真主安拉Reznik博士和她的研究小组atakehead大学最近合成了一种无定形氧化铅（a-PbO），由于Pb的高Z，高理论x射线到信号转换效率，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。虽然很有前途，但a-PbO层仍处于实验阶段，需要技术进步才能实际应用。intvac公司是加拿大氧化物沉积技术的领导者，目前正在寻求进入辐射敏感涂料市场。Intlvac对PbO的商业成功感兴趣，并将与Reznik博士合作制作探测器级的a-PbO层。我们相信，利用a-PbO有潜力创造最强大的x射线诊断成像系统，通过减少剂量或改善典型暴露下的图像质量，为加拿大和全世界的医疗保健服务。

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.