X-ray Detectors for the Next-generation of Medical Imaging of Breast Cancer

自1990年以来，X射线乳房X光检查使美国乳腺癌死亡率降低了39%。然而，50%的妇女每年筛查10年的经验假阳性，其中一些导致活检，造成病人焦虑和增加医疗保健成本。最先进的X射线乳房X射线摄影装置使用大面积平板X射线探测器。在图像采集期间，平板X射线检测器的每个元件对沉积在元件内的所有X射线能量进行积分。技术创新正在导致光子计数x射线探测器，它估计单个x射线光子的能量。光子计数可以增强乳腺病变的分类（即恶性或良性），潜在地减少不必要的乳腺活检的数量。瑞尔森大学的Tanguay博士正在领导光子计数X射线探测器成像性能建模框架的开发。 斯托尼布鲁克大学的赵博士正在开发一种基于非晶硒（a-Se）技术的光子计数X射线探测器。斯托尼布鲁克小组的新方法有可能实现大面积光子计数乳腺成像。确定斯托尼布鲁克小组的方法相对于传统方法的优越性的证据至关重要。理想的情况是，这种比较可以在概念和设计阶段的发展，使用现实的系统性能模型。在这项资助中，Tanguay和Zhao联合收割机将他们独特的专业知识结合起来，开发新的工具，用于全面，准确地模拟a-Se光子计数X射线探测器。此次合作开发的方法将使科学界能够对光子计数X射线探测器进行基于证据的投资，这些探测器最有可能提高加拿大和全球乳腺癌筛查计划的准确性。

X-ray mammography has contributed to a 39% reduction in breast cancer mortality in the U.S. since 1990. However, 50% of women screened annually for ten years experience a false positive, some of which lead to biopsies, causing patient anxiety and increasing health-care costs. State-of-the-art x-ray mammography units use large-area flat-panel x-ray detectors. During an image acquisition, each element of a flat-panel x-ray detector integrates all x-ray energy deposited within the element. Technological innovations are leading to photon-counting x-ray detectors, which estimate the energy of individual x-ray photons. Photon counting may enhance the classification of breast lesions (i.e. malign or benign), potentially reducing the number of unnecessary breast biopsies. Dr. Tanguay at Ryerson University is leading the development of a framework for modelling of the imaging performance of photon-counting x-ray detectors. Dr. Zhao at Stony Brook University is developing a photon-counting x-ray detector based on amorphous selenium (a-Se) technology. The Stony Brook Group's novel approach has the potential to enable large-area photon-counting breast imaging. Establishing evidence of the superiority of the Stony Brook Group's approach relative to conventional approaches is critical. Ideally, such comparisons could be made at the concept and design phase of development using realistic models of system performance. In this grant, Drs. Tanguay and Zhao combine their unique expertise to develop new tools for comprehensive, accurate modelling of a-Se photon-counting x-ray detectors. The methodologies developed in this collaboration will enable the scientific community to make evidence-based investments in the photon counting x-ray detectors that have the best potential to improve the accuracy of breast cancer screening programs in Canada and worldwide.