Stationary digital breast tomosynthesis with distributed field emission X-ray tube

Fully Vacuum-Sealed Diode-Structure Addressable ZnO Nanowire Cold Cathode Flat-Panel X-ray Source: Fabrication and Imaging Application

A fully vacuum-sealed addressable flat-panel X-ray source based on ZnO nanowire field emitter arrays (FEAs) was fabricated. The device has a diode structure composed of cathode panel and anode panel. ZnO nanowire cold cathodes were prepared on strip electrodes on a cathode panel and Mo thin film strips were prepared on an anode panel acting as the target. Localized X-ray emission was realized by cross-addressing of cathode and anode electrodes. A radiation dose rate of 10.8 μGy/s was recorded at the anode voltage of 32 kV. The X-ray imaging of objects using different addressing scheme was obtained and the imaging results were analyzed. The results demonstrated the feasibility of achieving addressable flat-panel X-ray source using diode-structure for advanced X-ray imaging.

Initial Clinical Experience with Stationary Digital Breast Tomosynthesis

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

A linear array of carbon nanotube-enabled x-ray sources allows for stationary digital breast tomosynthesis (sDBT), during which projection views are collected without the need to move the x-ray tube. This work presents our initial clinical experience with a first-generation sDBT device.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following informed consent, women with a "suspicious abnormality" (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System 4), discovered by digital mammography and awaiting biopsy, were also imaged by the first generation sDBT. Four radiologists participated in this paired-image study, completing questionnaires while interpreting the mammograms and sDBT image stacks. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were used to measure reader performance (likelihood of correctly identifying malignancy based on pathology as ground truth), while a multivariate analysis assessed preference, as readers compared one modality to the next when interpreting diagnostically important image features.

RESULTS

Findings from 43 women were available for analysis, in whom 12 cases of malignancy were identified by pathology. The mean areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for sDBT than mammography for all breast density categories and breast thicknesses. Additionally, readers preferred sDBT over mammography when evaluating mass margins and shape, architectural distortion, and asymmetry, but preferred mammography when characterizing microcalcifications.

CONCLUSION

Readers preferred sDBT over mammography when interpreting soft-tissue breast features and were diagnostically more accurate using images generated by sDBT in a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System 4 population. However, the findings also demonstrated the need to improve microcalcification conspicuity, which is guiding both technological and image-processing design changes in future sDBT devices.

Physics Model-Based Scatter Correction in Multi-Source Interior Computed Tomography

Multi-source interior computed tomography (CT) has a great potential to provide ultra-fast and organ-oriented imaging at low radiation dose. However, X-ray cross scattering from multiple simultaneously activated X-ray imaging chains compromises imaging quality. Previously, we published two hardware-based scatter correction methods for multi-source interior CT. Here, we propose a software-based scatter correction method, with the benefit of no need for hardware modifications. The new method is based on a physics model and an iterative framework. The physics model was derived analytically, and was used to calculate X-ray scattering signals in both forward direction and cross directions in multi-source interior CT. The physics model was integrated to an iterative scatter correction framework to reduce scatter artifacts. The method was applied to phantom data from both Monte Carlo simulations and physical experimentation that were designed to emulate the image acquisition in a multi-source interior CT architecture recently proposed by our team. The proposed scatter correction method reduced scatter artifacts significantly, even with only one iteration. Within a few iterations, the reconstructed images fast converged toward the "scatter-free" reference images. After applying the scatter correction method, the maximum CT number error at the region-of-interests (ROIs) was reduced to 46 HU in numerical phantom dataset and 48 HU in physical phantom dataset respectively, and the contrast-noise-ratio at those ROIs increased by up to 44.3% and up to 19.7%, respectively. The proposed physics model-based iterative scatter correction method could be useful for scatter correction in dual-source or multi-source CT.

An update on carbon nanotube-enabled X-ray sources for biomedical imaging

A new imaging technology has emerged that uses carbon nanotubes (CNT) as the electron emitter (cathode) for the X-ray tube. Since the performance of the CNT cathode is controlled by simple voltage manipulation, CNT-enabled X-ray sources are ideal for the repetitive imaging steps needed to capture three-dimensional information. As such, they have allowed the development of a gated micro-computed tomography (CT) scanner for small animal research as well as stationary tomosynthesis, an experimental technology for large field-of-view human imaging. The small animal CT can acquire images at specific points in the respiratory and cardiac cycles. Longitudinal imaging therefore becomes possible and has been applied to many research questions, ranging from tumor response to the noninvasive assessment of cardiac output. Digital tomosynthesis (DT) is a low-dose and low-cost human imaging tool that captures some depth information. Known as three-dimensional mammography, DT is now used clinically for breast imaging. However, the resolution of currently-approved DT is limited by the need to swing the X-ray source through space to collect a series of projection views. An array of fixed and distributed CNT-enabled sources provides the solution and has been used to construct stationary DT devices for breast, lung, and dental imaging. To date, over 100 patients have been imaged on Institutional Review Board-approved study protocols. Early experience is promising, showing an excellent conspicuity of soft-tissue features, while also highlighting technical and post-acquisition processing limitations that are guiding continued research and development. Additionally, CNT-enabled sources are being tested in miniature X-ray tubes that are capable of generating adequate photon energies and tube currents for clinical imaging. Although there are many potential applications for these small field-of-view devices, initial experience has been with an X-ray source that can be inserted into the mouth for dental imaging. Conceived less than 20 years ago, CNT-enabled X-ray sources are now being manufactured on a commercial scale and are powering both research tools and experimental human imaging devices. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2018, 10:e1475. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1475 This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging.

Multisource inverse-geometry CT. Part II. X-ray source design and prototype

PURPOSE

This paper summarizes the development of a high-power distributed x-ray source, or "multisource," designed for inverse-geometry computed tomography (CT) applications [see B. De Man et al., "Multisource inverse-geometry CT. Part I. System concept and development," Med. Phys. 43, 4607-4616 (2016)]. The paper presents the evolution of the source architecture, component design (anode, emitter, beam optics, control electronics, high voltage insulator), and experimental validation.

METHODS

Dispenser cathode emitters were chosen as electron sources. A modular design was adopted, with eight electron emitters (two rows of four emitters) per module, wherein tungsten targets were brazed onto copper anode blocks-one anode block per module. A specialized ceramic connector provided high voltage standoff capability and cooling oil flow to the anode. A matrix topology and low-noise electronic controls provided switching of the emitters.

RESULTS

Four modules (32 x-ray sources in two rows of 16) have been successfully integrated into a single vacuum vessel and operated on an inverse-geometry computed tomography system. Dispenser cathodes provided high beam current (>1000 mA) in pulse mode, and the electrostatic lenses focused the current beam to a small optical focal spot size (0.5 × 1.4 mm). Controlled emitter grid voltage allowed the beam current to be varied for each source, providing the ability to modulate beam current across the fan of the x-ray beam, denoted as a virtual bowtie filter. The custom designed controls achieved x-ray source switching in <1 μs. The cathode-grounded source was operated successfully up to 120 kV.

CONCLUSIONS

A high-power, distributed x-ray source for inverse-geometry CT applications was successfully designed, fabricated, and operated. Future embodiments may increase the number of spots and utilize fast read out detectors to increase the x-ray flux magnitude further, while still staying within the stationary target inherent thermal limitations.

X-ray scatter correction for multi-source interior computed tomography

PURPOSE

The schemes of multi-source interior computed tomography (CT) have shown promise for ultra-fast, organ-oriented, and low-dose dynamic imaging. Besides forward scattering, x-ray cross scattering from multiple x-ray sources activated simultaneously can further degrade image quality. Here, we investigate the overall x-ray scattering artifact in a recently proposed multi-source interior CT architecture, and present two methods for scatter correction.

METHODS

Compared to single-source global CT, scattering in multi-source interior CT architecture is affected by two new factors: cross scattering from simultaneously activated multiple x-ray sources and region-of-interest (ROI) oriented interior CT mode. The scatter artifact in the multi-source interior CT architecture was evaluated through both numerical simulation and physical experimentation, and compared to that from conventional single-source global CT. Monte Carlo simulation was conducted with a modified numerical CATphan^® 600 phantom. Physical experiments were performed in an in-house developed CT imaging platform with a custom-built phantom. The simulation and experiments were carried out on the single-source CT architecture and the multi-source CT architecture, respectively in the global CT mode and the interior CT mode for comparison. To correct the scattering artifact, two new methods were presented. The first is a beam-stopper-array (BSA)-based method, which enables an online correction of forward scattering and cross scattering simultaneously. The second is a source-trigger-sequence (STS)-based method dedicated to cross-scatter correction. It enables on-the-fly measurements of the cross scattering signals at a few pre-selected views. The CT image quality was quantitatively evaluated in terms of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and CT number deviation before and after the scatter correction.

RESULTS

X-ray cross scattering degraded image quality in both the simulation and experiments. Before the scatter correction, the multi-source interior CT mode yielded a reduction of CNR at the ROIs by up to 68.5% and 50.7% in the simulation and experiments, respectively. The stationary BSA-based method significantly improved CNR and CT number accuracy in the images from multi-source interior CT mode, by reducing the negative effects from both forward scattering and cross scattering. The STS-based method enabled multi-source interior CT mode to provide comparable image quality to that with the single-source interior CT mode, by correcting the artifact from cross scattering. The remaining forward scattering artifact can be corrected with the fast adaptive scatter kernel superposition (FASKS) technique. With the proposed scatter correction methods, the CT number error at the ROIs was reduced to less than 37 HU in both simulation and experiments, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Cross scattering, in addition to forward scattering, can cause significant image quality degradation in the multi-source interior CT architecture. However, image quality can be significantly improved with the proposed scatter correction methods.

Metamaterials and imaging

Resolution of the conventional lens is limited to half the wavelength of the light source by diffraction. In the conventional optical system, evanescent waves, which carry sub-diffraction spatial information, has exponentially decaying amplitude and therefore cannot reach to the image plane. New optical materials called metamaterials have provided new ways to overcome diffraction limit in imaging by controlling the evanescent waves. Such extraordinary electromagnetic properties can be achieved and controlled through arranging nanoscale building blocks appropriately. Here, we review metamaterial-based lenses which offer the new types of imaging components and functions. Perfect lens, superlenses, hyperlenses, metalenses, flat lenses based on metasurfaces, and non-optical lenses including acoustic hyperlens are described. Not all of them offer sub-diffraction imaging, but they provide new imaging mechanisms by controlling and manipulating the path of light. The underlying physics, design principles, recent advances, major limitations and challenges for the practical applications are discussed in this review.

Studies of a prototype linear stationary x-ray source for tomosynthesis imaging

A prototype linear x-ray source to implement stationary source-stationary detector tomosynthesis (TS) imaging has been studied. Potential applications include human breast and small animal imaging. The source is comprised of ten x-ray source elements each consisting of a field emission cathode, electrostatic lens, and target. The electrostatic lens and target are common to all elements. The source elements form x-ray focal spots with minimum diameters of 0.3-0.4 mm at electron beam currents of up to 40 mA with a beam voltage of 40 kV. The x-ray flux versus time was quantified from each source. X-ray bremsstrahlung spectra from tungsten targets were produced using electron beam energies from 35 to 50 keV. The half-value layer was measured to be 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 mm, respectively, for the 35, 40, and 45 kV tube potentials using the tungsten target. The suppression of voltage breakdown events, particularly during source operation, and the use of a modified form of the standard cold-cathode geometry, enhanced source reliability. The prototype linear source was used to collect tomographic data sets of a mouse phantom using digital TS reconstruction methods and demonstrated a slice-sensitivity profile with a full-width-half-maximum of 1.3 mm. Lastly, preliminary studies of tomographic imaging of flow through the mouse phantom were performed.

Dependency of image quality on system configuration parameters in a stationary digital breast tomosynthesis system

PURPOSE

In principle, a stationary digital breast tomosynthesis (s-DBT) system has better image quality when compared to continuous motion DBT systems due to zero motion blur of the source. The authors have developed a s-DBT system by using a linear carbon nanotube x-ray source array. The purpose of the current study was to quantitatively evaluate the performance of the s-DBT system; and investigate the dependence of imaging quality on the system configuration parameters.

METHODS

Physical phantoms were used to assess the image quality of each configuration including inplane resolution as measured by the modulation transfer function (MTF), inplane contrast as measured by the signal difference to noise ratio (SdNR), and depth resolution as measured by the z-axis artifact spread function. Five parameters were varied to create five groups of configurations: (1) total angular span; (2) total number of projection images; (3) distribution of exposure (mAs) across the projection images; (4) entrance dose; (5) detector pixel size.

RESULTS

It was found that the z-axis depth resolution increased with the total angular span but was insensitive to the number of projection images, mAs distribution, entrance dose, and detector pixel size. The SdNR was not affected by the angular span or the number of projection images. A decrease in SdNR was observed when the mAs was not evenly distributed across the projection images. As expected, the SdNR increased with entrance dose and when larger pixel sizes were used. For a given detector pixel size, the inplane resolution was found to be insensitive to the total angular span, number of projection images, mAs distribution, and entrance dose. A 25% increase in the MTF was observed when the detector was operating in full resolution mode (70 μm pixel size) compared to 2 × 2 binned mode (140 μm pixel size).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the optimal imaging configuration for a s-DBT system is a large angular span, an intermittent number of projection views, and a uniform mAs distribution over all views. With the detector operating at full resolution, a stationary DBT system can achieve an inplane resolution of 5.1 cycles per mm, which is significantly better than continuous motion DBT systems.

A review of breast tomosynthesis. Part I. The image acquisition process

Mammography is a very well-established imaging modality for the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. However, since the introduction of digital imaging to the realm of radiology, more advanced, and especially tomographic imaging methods have been made possible. One of these methods, breast tomosynthesis, has finally been introduced to the clinic for routine everyday use, with potential to in the future replace mammography for screening for breast cancer. In this two part paper, the extensive research performed during the development of breast tomosynthesis is reviewed, with a focus on the research addressing the medical physics aspects of this imaging modality. This first paper will review the research performed on the issues relevant to the image acquisition process, including system design, optimization of geometry and technique, x-ray scatter, and radiation dose. The companion to this paper will review all other aspects of breast tomosynthesis imaging, including the reconstruction process.

A vacuum-sealed miniature X-ray tube based on carbon nanotube field emitters

A vacuum-sealed miniature X-ray tube based on a carbon nanotube field-emission electron source has been demonstrated. The diameter of the X-ray tube is 10 mm; the total length of the tube is 50 mm, and no external vacuum pump is required for the operation. The maximum tube voltage reaches up to 70 kV, and the X-ray tube generates intense X-rays with the air kerma strength of 108 Gy·cm2 min-1. In addition, X-rays produced from the miniature X-ray tube have a comparatively uniform spatial dose distribution.