Digital Phase Contrast Imaging for Medical Diagnostics (Discovery Project)

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 7796.2;7 DCPP-NM

Short description (German)

Digital Phase Contrast Imaging for Medical Diagnostics (Discovery Project)

Short description (English)

Digital Phase Contrast Imaging for Medical Diagnostics (Discovery Project)

Abstract (German)

The present project deals with the experimental demonstration of a novel approach to digital x-ray imaging. It takes advantage of a phase-contrast mechanism, i.e. the use of x-ray diffraction gratings to achieve high sensitivity by an interferometric technique. For the first time, this technology is applied to x-ray imaging using conventional (non-monochromatic) x-ray sources. This discovery project is a key step towards the development of a completely new generation of highly sensitive digital x-ray imaging systems, which are expected to have a very large impact in numerous application fields, including notably the medical applications, where the reduction of the applied dose is of paramount interest. Among the medical applications, the highest potential is in mammography. The relatively high dose applied in commercial mammography systems today is one key argument against their widespread acceptance of mass screenings in many countries. A high quality low dose system is the base to open this big unexplored market.

Abstract (English)

The present project deals with the experimental demonstration of a novel approach to digital x-ray imaging. It takes advantage of a phase-contrast mechanism, i.e. the use of x-ray diffraction gratings to achieve high sensitivity by an interferometric technique. For the first time, this technology is applied to x-ray imaging using conventional (non-monochromatic) x-ray sources. This discovery project is a key step towards the development of a completely new generation of highly sensitive digital x-ray imaging systems, which are expected to have a very large impact in numerous application fields, including notably the medical applications, where the reduction of the applied dose is of paramount interest. Among the medical applications, the highest potential is in mammography. The relatively high dose applied in commercial mammography systems today is one key argument against their widespread acceptance of mass screenings in many countries. A high quality low dose system is the base to open this big unexplored market.