The objective of this proposal is to develop a back-irradiated (BI) active matrix flat-panel imager (AMFPI) with programmable avalanche gain. It will have wide dynamic range, high detective quantum efficiency (DQE) and high frame rate. The proposed detector employs three major components: a structured cesium iodide (CsI) scintillator with thickness up to twice that in existing AMFPI; an avalanche amorphous selenium (a-Se) photoconductor, HARP (High-gain Avalanche Rushing amorphous Photoconductor), to convert the optical photons from CsI to charge and provide a programmable gain; and a large area metal-oxide (MO) thin film transistor (TFT) array to read out the image electronically at 100 frames per second (fps). The proposed detector is called BI-SHARP-AMFPI (Back-Irradiated Scintillator- HARP Active Matrix Flat-Panel Imager). It is capable of producing x-ray quantum noise limited images at the lowest dose expected for x-ray imaging (0.1 ?R), which virtually has only one x-ray photon per pixel. For high dose applications (e.g. radiography) the gain of HARP will be decreased to ensure wide dynamic range without detector saturation. With BI, the majority of x-rays interact closer to the optical sensor, thereby permitting much thicker CsI to improve DQE at high kVp used in CBCT. The carrier mobility in MOTFT is more than an order of magnitude higher than a-Si TFT, permitting readout rate up to 100 fps, which is desired in CBCT. The objectives will be accomplished through the following three specific aims: (1) Optimize BI-SHARP-AMFPI detector configuration; (2) Develop the optimal HARP sensor structure for BI-SHARP-AMFPI; (3) Develop prototype BI-SHARP-AMFPI to prove feasibility and validate design considerations. Once these aims are accomplished a new AMFPI ready for clinical translation will be resulted, and permit major advancements in the most demanding x-ray imaging application: real-time imaging and CBCT for guidance of interventional procedures.

Public Health Relevance

s/Relevance In the proposed work we will develop the next generation flat-panel imager in an image-guided interventional suite for a wide-range of clinical applications: fluoroscopy, angiography and cone-beam computed tomography. It will improve the dose efficiency by more than a factor of two, and increase the acquisition speed by more than a factor of three.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EB026267-04
Application #
10094215
Study Section
Biomedical Imaging Technology Study Section (BMIT)
Program Officer
Zubal, Ihor George
Project Start
2018-03-01
Project End
2021-12-31
Budget Start
2021-01-01
Budget End
2021-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
State University New York Stony Brook
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
804878247
City
Stony Brook
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11794
Howansky, Adrian; Lubinsky, A R; Suzuki, Katsuhiko et al. (2018) An apparatus and method for directly measuring the depth-dependent gain and spatial resolution of turbid scintillators. Med Phys 45:4927-4941