Smart Detectors for Darkfield X-ray Imaging

Introduction

The main objective of this project is to improve the early detection and accuracy of lung disease diagnosis by developing a novel detector concept for dark-field X-ray imaging - a novel method with great potential for the assessment of pathological changes in the alveolar microstructure of the lung as recently discovered in initial patient studies.

Focus on COPD

Our research will focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the third leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for more than 3.2 million deaths each year. Traditional chest X-rays, while critical for diagnosis, are often inadequate for the early and accurate detection of mild to moderate COPD due to their limited sensitivity.

Similarly, computed tomography (CT) scans are limited in detecting early stages of COPD and are associated with much higher radiation doses. This highlights a significant diagnostic need, as current methods, including:

1. Spirometry
2. Conventional imaging

cannot reliably assess the severity of COPD.

Development of Breakthrough Technology

Our goal is to develop a breakthrough detector technology that overcomes the key challenge of dark-field imaging: the need for a 50% absorbing grating. By utilizing the latest advances in nanoscintillation materials and single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) sensor technology, we intend to directly resolve the interference patterns characteristic of dark-field imaging.

This new technology not only promises to reduce the radiation dose required by current dark-field techniques by 50%, but also enables integration with single-photon spectral detection.

Project Potential

This initiative is a high-risk, high-reward project with the potential to revolutionize X-ray imaging technology, particularly lung imaging, after more than 125 years of practice. Most notably, it will lay the technological foundation for routine integration into the next generation of medical X-ray and CT imaging technology.