Natsumi Kimoto

Response functions of multi-pixel-type CdTe detector: toward development of precise material identification on diagnostic x-ray images by means of photon counting

Currently, an X-ray imaging system which can produced information used to identify various materials has been developed based on photon counting. It is important to estimate the response function of the detector in order to accomplish highly accurate material identification. Our aim is to simulate the response function of a CdTe detector using Monte-Carlo simulation; at this time, the transportation of incident and scattered photons and secondary produced electrons were precisely simulated without taking into consideration the charge spread in the collecting process of the produced charges (charge sharing effect). First, we set pixel sizes of 50-500μm, the minimum irradiation fields which produce equilibrium conditions were determined. Then, observed peaks in the response function were analyzed with consideration paid to the interactions between incident X-rays and the detector components, Cd and Te. The secondary produced characteristic X-rays play an important role. Accordingly ratios of full energy peak (FEP), scattering X-rays and penetrating X-rays in the calculated response functions were analyzed. When the pixel size of 200μm was used the scattered X-rays were saturated at equilibrium with relatively small fields and efficiency of FEP was kept at a high value (<50%). Finally, we demonstrated the X-ray spectrum which is folded by the response function. Even if the charge sharing effect is not completely corrected when using the electric circuit, there is a possibility that disturbed portions in the measured X-ray spectra can be corrected by using proper calibration, in which the above considerations are taken into account.

Development of a novel method based on a photon counting technique with the aim of precise material identification in clinical x-ray diagnosis

A photon counting system has the ability of energy discrimination, therefore obtaining new information using X-rays for material identification is an expected goal to achieve precise diagnosis. The aim of our study is to propose a novel method for material identification based on a photon counting technique. First, X-ray spectra at 40-60 kV were constructed using a published database. Second, X-ray spectra penetrating different materials having atomic numbers from 5-13 were calculated. These spectra were divided into two energy regions, then linear attenuation factors concerning these regions were obtained. In addition, in order to accomplish highly accurate material identification, correction of beam hardening effects based on soft-tissue was applied to each linear attenuation factor. Then, using the linear attenuation factors, a normalized linear attenuation coefficient was derived. Finally, an effective atomic number was determined using the theoretical relationship between the normalized linear attenuation coefficient and atomic number. In order to demonstrate our method, four different phantoms (acrylic, soft-tissue equivalent, bone equivalent, and aluminum) were measured using a single-probe-type CdTe detector under the assumption that the response of the single-probe-type CdTe detector is equal to the response of one pixel of a multi-pixel-type photon counting detector. Each of these phantoms can be completely separated using our method. Furthermore, we evaluated an adoptive limit of beam hardening correction. We found that the adoptive limit depends on the mass thickness and atomic number. Our vision is to realize highly accurate identification for material with narrow range in atomic number.

A fundamental experiment for novel material identification method based on a photon counting technique: Using conventional X-ray equipment

An imaging technique based on photon counting is attracting attention as a next-generation type X-ray diagnostic technique, because this method has the possibility to identify materials. Various X-ray detectors for photon counting have been newly manufactured, and in the near future we may be able to utilize them in clinical settings. The aim of this paper is to propose a novel method which can provide information concerning the effective of atomic number on material identification. In order to verify the feasibility of this method, a basic experiment was carried out; using a single-channel CdTe detector and diagnostic X-ray equipment, four different materials made from aluminum, bone, acrylic and soft-tissue were identified. Although our experiment is tentative, we found the possibility to apply this research to next-generation type X-ray diagnosis.