Modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) are widely accepted measures of digital radiographic system performance. However the implementation of these measurement methodologies has been limited to a handful of researchers using an assortment of techniques. A prototype edge tool and easy-to-use software program, which can generate MTF, NPS, and DQE results quickly and easily in the field, have been developed. The edge tool consists of 1mm or 250 μ thick tungsten with two polished edges. Edge and NPS data were obtained and analyzed by 3 investigators using three analysis methods: Method A, the software under development for this report; Method B, code available on the web site of one of the investigators [Saunders and Samei, Med. Phys. 33, 308-319 (2006)]; and Method C, code developed by two other of the investigators [Samei and Flynn, Med Phy. 30, 608-622, (2003)]. In all cases the differences between the results using Method B and Method A were less than 1%. The differences between Method A and Method C were larger, up to 5.26%. NPS were calculated using Method A and B. The results were very close, with average errors less than 2.5% for exposures of 27.3, 9.3, and 2.7 μGy. Analysis of data for a 10 cm misalignment shows no significant error for either the 250 μ or 1mm edge. The method developed gives results that correlate closely with results obtained from established methods. The software is easy-to-use and flexible in its application. The Edge Tool developed has the necessary precision to accurately determine the MTF values of the system. Further validation of NPS and DQE is ongoing.
The purpose of this study is to develop a full-field digital mammography system utilizing capillary optics. Specific aims are to identify optic properties that affect image quality and to optimize those properties in the design of a multi-element capillary array. It has been shown that polycapillary optics significantly improve mammographic image quality through increased resolution and reduced x-ray scatter. For practical clinical application much larger multi-element optics will be required. This study quantified the contributing factors to the multi-element optic MTF and investigated methods to determine optimal parameters for a practical design. Individual and a prototype multi-element array of linearly tapered optics with a common focal point were investigated. A conventional (MO/MO) mammography tube and computed radiography system were used. The system and optic MTF were measured using the angled slit method with a slit camera (10 micron slit). MTF measurements were performed with both stationary and scanned optics. Contributions to MTF included: distortion within individual optics, misalignment between optics, capillary channel size, and vibration. Measurement techniques used to identify and quantify the contributions to optic MTF included a phantom chosen specifically for polycapillary optics. This phantom provided a method for assessing the coherence among capillaries within an optic as well as the relative alignment of the optics within the array. In addition, modifications to the scanning procedure allowed for the isolation and quantification of several contributors to the system MTF. Specifically, measurements were made using a stationary optic, a scanning optic, and an optic placed at multiple locations within the imaged field of view. These techniques yielded the optic MTF, the degradation of MTF due to loss of coherence within the optic, and the degradation of MTF due to vibration of the scanning mechanism. Distortion within individual optics was, typically, quite small. However, MTF degradation resulting from twist was significant in some optics. MTF degradation due to misalignment was relatively large in the prototype triad. Modeling found that misalignment up to 50 microns reduced MTF by less than 10 percent up to 3 cycles/mm. Channel diameters of 52 microns and 85 microns reduced MTF by 9 percent to 20 percent at 5 cycles/mm and provided an optimal tradeoff between transmission and MTF. Vibration was identified as a significant degradation to MTF but can easily reduced with simple modifications. In spite of some reduced optic MTF values, system MTF has always been significantly improved - in some cases almost by the magnification ratio. These results allow for accurate modeling of optic performance and optimization of design parameters. This study demonstrates that a multi-element array can be produced with nearly optimal properties. A large area array suitable for clinical trial is feasible and is the next step in this program.
We have reported on a single-exposure dual-energy system based on computed radiography (CR) technology. In a clinical study conducted over a two year period, the dual-energy system proved to be highly successful in improving the detection (p=0.0005) and characterization (p=0.005) of pulmonary nodules when compared to conventional screen-film radiography. The basic components of our dual-energy detector system include source filtration with gadolinium to produce a bi-modal x-ray spectrum and a cassette containing four CR imaging plates. The front and back plates record the low-energy and high-energy images, respectively, and the middle two plates serve as an intermediate filter. Since our initial report, a number of improvements have been made to make the system more practical. An automatic registration algorithm based on image features has been developed to align the front and back image plates. There have been two improvements in scatter correction: a simple correction is now made to account for scatter within the multi-plate detector; and a correction algorithm is applied to account for scatter variations between patients. An improved basis material decomposition (BMD) algorithm has been developed to facilitate automatic operation of the algorithm. Finally, two new noise suppression techniques are under investigation: one adjusts the noise filtering parameters depending on the strength of edge signals in the detected image in order to greatly reduce quantum mottle while minimizing the introduction of artifacts; a second routine uses knowledge of the region of valid low-energy and high-energy image data to suppress noise with minimal introduction of artifacts. This paper is a synthesis of recent work aimed at improving the performance of dual-energy CR conducted at three institutions: Philips Medical Systems, the University of Wisconsin, and Duke University.
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