X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging Technique Research Articles

Laboratory-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging technique for material and medical science applications

In-line X-ray phase-contrast imaging technique is an emerging method for the study of materials such as carbon fibers, carbon composite materials, polymers, etc. Similarly this technique is also well suited for the imaging of soft materials such as tissues, distinguishing between tumor and normal tissue. These represent the class of materials for which X-ray attenuation cross-section is very small. Thus this method promises a far better contrast for low X-ray absorbing substances than the conventional radiography method. We have set up an experimental facility using a combination of X-ray CCD detector and a microfocus X-ray source. This facility is dedicated to micro-imaging experiments such as microtomography and high-resolution phase-contrast experiments. In this paper, the results of X-ray phase-contrast imaging experiments are described.

Modelling of a novel x-ray phase contrast imaging technique based on coded apertures

X-ray phase contrast imaging is probably the most relevant among emerging x-ray imaging techniques, and it has the proven potential of revolutionizing the field of diagnostic radiology. Impressive images of a wide range of samples have been obtained, mostly at synchrotron radiation facilities. The necessity of relying on synchrotron radiation has prevented to a large extent a widespread diffusion of phase contrast imaging, thus precluding its transfer to clinical practice. A new technique, based on the use of coded apertures, was recently developed at UCL. This technique was demonstrated to provide intense phase contrast signals with conventional x-ray sources and detectors. Unlike other attempts at making phase contrast imaging feasible with conventional sources, the coded-aperture approach does not impose substantial limitations and/or filtering of the radiation beam, and it therefore allows, for the first time, exposures compatible with clinical practice. The technique has been thoroughly modelled, and this paper describes the technique in detail by going through the different steps of the modelling. All the main factors influencing image quality are discussed, alongside the viability of realizing a prototype suitable for clinical use. The model has been experimentally validated and a section of the paper shows the comparison between simulated and experimental results.For more information on this article, see medicalphysicsweb.org

Characterization of pyrocarbon coated materials using laboratory based x-ray phase contrast imaging technique

In-line x-ray phase contrast is an emerging x-ray imaging technique that promises to improve the contrast in x-ray imaging process. This technique is most suited for x-ray imaging of soft materials, low atomic number elements such as carbon composite fibers, very thin coatings, etc. We have used this new emerging technique for visualization and characterization of the pyrocarbon coated materials using a combination of microfocus x-ray source and x-ray charge coupled device detector. These studies are important for characterization of coating and optimization of various process parameters during deposition. These experiments will help us to exploit the potential of this technique for studies in other areas of material science such as characterization of carbon fibered structures and detection of cracks and flaws in materials. The characterization of the imaging system and optimization of some process parameters for carbon deposition are also described in detail.

Aerosol-induced lung injuries observed by synchrotron radiation X-ray phase-contrast imaging technique

Adverse health effects are associated with the inhalation of a variety of atmospheric particles. To study the lung injuries caused by aerosol PM2.5, synchrotron radiation (SR) X-ray phase-contrast imaging technique was used. Nude mice were inoculated with PM2.5 samples collected from suburban area (JD), industrial area (BS) and traffic tunnel (DPQ) of Shanghai. From X-ray phase-contrast images of lung tissues, apart from blood vessels and structures of alveoli, even hemorrhage spots of several microns caused by the inflammation were clearly observed. The studies showed that the PM2.5 samples collected from the traffic tunnel (DPQ) produced higher level of lung injury, followed by the aerosol samples collected from industrial area (BS) and suburban area (JD). Our studies also helped us to understand the process of lung injuries caused by aerosol particles.

X-ray ultramicroscopy: A new method for observation and measurement of filler dispersion in thermoplastic composites

A phase contrast X-ray imaging technique has been developed to observe and determine filler distribution in polymer composites, providing greatly enhanced 2-D image quality over conventional methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). High spatial resolution X-ray ultramicroscopy (XuM) was developed and employed for this work. This method provides a clear visualization of filler dispersion patterns in polypropylene and nylon 6 matrices even with a sample thickness of up to 200 μm. Quantitative analysis of the filler dispersion quality derived from the 2-D images was carried out using a commercially available image analysis software. The X-ray phase contrast imaging and micro-tomography results presented in this paper demonstrate the viability of these techniques for qualitative and quantitative characterizations of filler distribution in thermoplastic composites. This technique offers several advantages over existing imaging methods because it avoids tedious sample preparation, yields well contrasted image enabling more accurate quantification of composite microstructure, and provides 2-D and 3-D information on filler distribution in polymer composites.

IC-P-049: A novel quantitative analysis method of β-amyloid plaques in model mice of Alzheimer’s disease using a phase-contrast X-ray imaging technique

IC-P-049: A novel quantitative analysis method of β-amyloid plaques in model mice of Alzheimer’s disease using a phase-contrast X-ray imaging technique

Quantitative comparison between two phase contrast techniques: diffraction enhanced imaging and phase propagation imaging

Two x-ray phase contrast imaging techniques are compared in a quantitative way for future mammographic applications: diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) and phase propagation imaging (PPI). DEI involves, downstream of the sample, an analyser crystal acting as an angular filter for x-rays refracted by the sample. PPI simply uses the propagation (Fresnel diffraction) of the monochromatic and partially coherent x-ray beam over large distances. The information given by the two techniques is assessed by theoretical simulations and compared at the level of the experimental results for different kinds of samples (phantoms and real tissues). The imaging parameters such as the energy, the angular position of the analyser crystal in the DEI case or the sample to detector distance in the PPI case were varied in order to optimize the image quality in terms of contrast, visibility and figure of merit.

Clinical implementation of x-ray phase-contrast imaging: theoretical foundations and design considerations.

Theoretical foundation and design considerations of a clinical feasible x-ray phase contrast imaging technique were presented in this paper. Different from the analysis of imaging phase object with weak absorption in literature, we proposed a new formalism for in-line phase-contrast imaging to analyze the effects of four clinically important factors on the phase contrast. These are the body parts attenuation, the spatial coherence of spherical waves from a finite-size focal spot, and polychromatic x-ray and radiation doses to patients for clinical applications. The theory presented in this paper can be applied widely in diagnostic x-ray imaging procedures. As an example, computer simulations were conducted and optimal design parameters were derived for clinical mammography. The results of phantom experiments were also presented which validated the theoretical analysis and computer simulations.

Phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography for observing biological specimens and organic materials

A novel three-dimensional x-ray imaging method has been developed by combining a phase-contrast x-ray imaging technique with x-ray computed tomography. This phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography (PCX-CT) provides sectional images of organic specimens that would produce absorption-contrast x-ray CT images with little contrast. Comparing PCX-CT images of rat cerebellum and cancerous rabbit liver specimens with corresponding absorption-contrast CT images shows that PCX-CT is much more sensitive to the internal structure of organic specimens.