The goal of this project is to improve the image quality and reduce the cost of digital mammography. We will develop a computed radiography (CR) system for mammography based on novel glass ceramic materials. These glass materials can be less expensive and attain better performance than existing photostimulable phosphor materials. They are transparent and, therefore, do not suffer from loss of resolution and increase in noise due to light scattering from grain boundaries, as do polycrystalline materials. Specifically, we will: 1) Perform structural investigations via Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Photoluminescence, X-ray excited Luminescence, and X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure. 2) Optimize the TSP material for the application in CR mammography: a) Improve the PSL signal, i.e. gain, of the TSP while maintaining high x-ray absorption and high resolution required for mammography. b) Minimize the stimulating exposure (laser power) required for readout. c) Minimize gain-fluctuation noise and structure noise in the TSP materials. d) Develop a large-format TSP plate for full-field digital mammography. 3) Design and construct a readout system for TSP. a) Design and build a benchtop readout apparatus. b) Determine design parameters and build a full-field, high-speed readout apparatus. 4) Characterize and benchmark the new computed radiography (CR) system by: a) Developing a theoretical model for the DQE of the TSP-based CR system. b) Measuring the system response, modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectra (NPS), noise equivalent quanta (NEQ), detective quantum efficiency (DQE), and contrast detail detectability of the new system. c) Measuring the system response, MTF, NPS, NEQ, DQE, and contrast detail detectability for a GE Essential FFDM system and FujiFilm CR mammography systems. d) Comparing the performance of the new system with the GE Essential and FujiFilm CR systems.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EB006145-03
Application #
7743431
Study Section
Biomedical Imaging Technology Study Section (BMIT)
Program Officer
Lopez, Hector
Project Start
2008-02-01
Project End
2011-11-30
Budget Start
2009-12-01
Budget End
2010-11-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$367,085
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Tennessee Space Institute
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
085834182
City
Tullahoma
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37388
Johnson, Jacqueline A; Leonard, Russell L; Lubinsky, A R et al. (2015) Opportunities for Fluorochlorozirconate and Other Glass-Ceramic Detectors in Medical Imaging Devices. J Biomed Technol Res 2:
Johnson, C E; Vu, M; Johnson, J A et al. (2014) Mössbauer spectroscopy of europium-containing glasses: Optical activator study for x-ray image plates. Hyperfine Interact 226:797-801
Pfau, C; Paßlick, C; Gray, S K et al. (2013) Mössbauer spectroscopy of europium-doped fluorochlorozirconate glasses and glass ceramics: optimization of storage phosphors in computed radiography. J Phys Condens Matter 25:205402
Alvarez, Carlos J; Liu, Yuzi; Leonard, Russell L et al. (2013) Nanocrystallization in Fluorochlorozirconate Glass-Ceramics. J Am Ceram Soc 96:3617-3621
Paýýlick, C; Johnson, J A; Schweizer, S (2013) Crystallization studies on rare-earth co-doped fluorozirconate-based glasses. J Non Cryst Solids 371-372:33-36
Paýýlick, C; Ahrens, B; Henke, B et al. (2011) Crystallization behavior of rare-earth doped fluorochlorozirconate glasses. J Non Cryst Solids 357:2450-2452
Paßlick, C; Müller, O; Lützenkirchen-Hecht, D et al. (2011) Structural properties of fluorozirconate-based glass ceramics doped with multivalent europium. J Appl Phys 110:113527-1135275
Weber, J K R; Vu, M; Passlick, C et al. (2011) The oxidation state of europium in halide glasses. J Phys Condens Matter 23:495402
Vu, M; Alvarez, C; Liu, Y et al. (2011) In Situ TEM Studies of Nanoparticle Growth in a Fluorozirconate (ZBLAN) Glass Matrix. Microsc Microanal 17:496-497
Lubinsky, A R; Johnson, J A; Schweizer, S et al. (2010) Scanning translucent glass-ceramic x-ray storage phosphors. Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 7622:76223W

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