A Lower X-Ray Dose, Higher Resolution, Photon-Counting System for Computed Tomography

University of Arizona
posted on 04/24/2009

Background: Computed Tomography (CT) is an important medical imaging tool in modern medicine used to diagnose a range of diseases, such as detecting tumors. This includes CT scanning – or CAT scanning – of the entire body. CT uses x-rays, and measures the amount of x-ray radiation absorbed. Hence, despite its broad use, efforts to lower the required radiation dose and yet increase the resolution of the CT medical image are both continuous improvement goals. CT systems, and similarly digital mammography systems, use solid-state detectors to detect the x-rays. Researchers at The University of Arizona (UA) Department of Radiology are developing an imaging system for X-ray/CT which uses photon counting to enhance resolution and lower the radiation dose required. The UA approach combines: (i) upfront optical gain, (ii) high-speed (CMOS/CCD) solid state cameras capable of operating at thousands of frames-per-second, and (iii) maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) techniques (see related US Patent Application 2009/0050811 A1). The combined system allows x-ray photons to be counted after having traversed the patient and interacted with the scintillator, and their precise three-dimensional position and energy estimation to be determined.

Applications:
* Computed Tomography (CT) for medical research and diagnosis.
* Digital radiography.
* Digital mammography.

Advantages:
* Higher spatial resolution achievable, to improve the detection of small lesions.
* Uses photon counting, resulting in a significant reduction in patient's radiation dose.
* Decreased system cost projected.

Stage of Development: A proof-of-concept system has been built with a commercial high-speed CCD camera, and successfully tested. Multiple detectors would be combined in a single system to provide a large-area detector for digital radiography or CT applications.

Lead Inventors: Prof. Harrison H. Barrett, Prof. H. Bradford Barber, Prof. Lars R. Furenlid, and Brian W. Miller

Status: US patent application filed; seeking commercial partner to license.

Refer to Case No. UA09-018

Advantages

* Higher spatial resolution achievable, to improve the detection of small lesions * Uses photon counting, resulting in a significant reduction in patient's radiation dose * Decreased system cost projected

Innovation Details

Detailed Description

Background: Computed Tomography (CT)is an important medical imaging tool in modern medicine used to diagnose a range of diseases, such as detecting tumors. This includes CT scanning - or CAT scanning - of the entire body. CT uses x-rays, and measures the amount of x-ray radiation absorbed. Hence, despite its broad use, efforts to lower the required radiation dose and yet increase the resolution of the CT medical image are both continuous improvement goals. CT systems, and similarly digital mammography systems, use solid-state detectors to detect the x-rays. Researchers at The University of Arizona (UA) Department of Radiology are developing an imaging system for X-ray/CT which uses photon counting to enhance resolution and lower the radiation dose required. The UA approach combines: (i) upfront optical gain, (ii) high-speed (CMOS/CCD) solid state cameras capable of operating at thousands of frames-per-second, and (iii) maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) techniques (see related US Patent Application 2009/0050811 A1). The combined system allows x-ray photons to be counted after having traversed the patient and interacted with the scintillator, and their precise three-dimensional position and energy estimation to be determined. Lead Inventors: Prof. Harrison H. Barrett, Prof. H. Bradford Barber, Prof. Lars R. Furenlid, and Brian W. Miller Stage of Development: A proof-of-concept system has been built with a commercial high-speed CCD camera, and successfully tested. Multiple detectors would be combined in a single system to provide a large-area detector for digital radiography or CT applications.

File Number: UA09-018

Other Information: * Refer to: Case # UA09-018 * Lead Innovator: Dr. Harrison Barrett * Case Manager: Robin Richards rrichards@ott.arizona.edu

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