Silke Janssen

A research prototype system for quantum-counting clinical CT

Recent publications emphasize the benefits of quantum-counting applied to the field of Computed Tomography (CT). We present a research prototype scanner with a CdTe-based quantum-counting detector and 20 cm field-of-view (FOV). As of today there is no direct converter material on the market able to operate reliably in the harsh high-flux regime of clinical CT scanners. Nevertheless, we investigate the CT imaging performance that could be expected with high-flux capable material. Therefore we chose pixel sizes of 0.05 mm2, a good compromise between high-flux counting ability and energy resolution. Every pixel is equipped with two energy threshold counters, enabling contrast-optimization and dual-energy scans. We present a first quantitative analysis of contrast measurements, in which we limit ourselves to a low-flux scenario. Using an Iodine-based contrast agent, we find 17% contrast enhancement at 120 kVp, compared to energy-integrating CT. In addition, the general dual-energy capability was confirmed in first measurements. We conclude our work by demonstrating good agreement of measurement results and detailed CT-system simulations.

Technology and image results of a spectral CT system

We report the implementation and first test results of a two-channel spectral Computed Tomography (CT) prototype. We use an energy-resolving CT detector with a sandwich-like two layer set-up. Compared to dual-energy approaches with tube voltage switching, it yields a low and a high energy channel in a one shot measurement. We explain the basic set-up of the system and its calibration. The effects of spectral weighting are examined and the weighting functions w(E) of the detector channels are calculated. We present spectral image data of a water phantom, a set of calibration materials and an organic sample. Finally, we show how the data can be used for quantitative CT measurements. The system is work in progress and currently not available in the United States.

Spectral and spatial resolution of semiconductor detectors in medical X- and gamma ray imaging

In X- and gamma ray based medical systems, detector performance is a key driver for diagnostic quality. Over the last years and decades, indirect conversion scintillator detectors have become the standard for many medical applications including X-ray Radiography, Computed Tomography and SPECT. Recently, direct conversion semiconductor detectors based on CdTe and CdZnTe (CZT) have come into focus, as they might offer improved or additional performance for specific applications.