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PHASE CONTRAST X-RAY IMAGING WITH FIELD-EMISSION SOURCE

Award Number: R01CA104773
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: HEALTH SERVICES
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/30/2003
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2007

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PHASE CONTRAST X-RAY IMAGING WITH FIELD-EMISSION SOURCE - DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Objective: The overall objective is to develop a field-emission x-ray source with high spatial coherence, and a phase-contrast imaging technique for clinical applications. Challenges: Current phase-contrast x-ray techniques generally require highly monochromatic, synchrotron-based, plane-wave radiation and sophisticated x-ray optics, so their clinical application is limited. Theoretical analysis and experimental studies have demonstrated the clinical feasibility of in-line phase-contrast imaging using a small, yet very bright x-ray source. However, these requirements cannot be met by the conventional sources. A novel field-emission x-ray source is therefore proposed. Methods: Cutting-edge nanotechnology will be applied to fabricate a super tip for the electron gun of the x-ray source. The super tip will be integrated with a miniature vacuum pump and an ion mirror to avoid contamination and the ion bombardment of the electron emitter. The anticipated end product is an x-ray source with a small focal spot (less than 0.025 mm), and at the same time, a high tube current (greater than 25mA), thus providing high spatial coherence. The field-emission x-ray source developed in the early phase of this project will be used to facilitate a new phase contrast imaging technique. The innovative system design is based on the in-line holography principle, acquiring phase contrast under large attenuation (a common clinical condition); therefore has the following clinically friendly features: (1) The source-to-detector distance of the system is no more than 1 meter; (2) the relative phase-contrast factor is up to 0.015 at 20 Ip/mm; (3) the detector quantum efficiency, radiation dose, and exposure time of the phase-contrast system are equivalent to that of the current state-of-art systems; and (4) the contrast-detail detectability is significantly improved due to the edge enhancement introduced by phase-contrast. Comprehensive measurements will be conducted to characterize the performance of the proposed system under clinical conditions. That includes objective measurements of resolution, contrast and quantum efficiency, and observer-based subjective measurements. The end product of the proposed research is a prototype phase-contrast imaging system for clinical applications. Summary: The proposed research, with its innovative field emission source and a new in-line x-ray imaging system, overcomes the major technical "roadblocks" in clinical applications of phase-contrast x-ray imaging.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2006 ( Subtotal = $398,929 )
2006	2006	UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN CAMPUS	1000 ASP AVENUE	NORMAN	OK	73109		USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	4	9/7/2006	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$398,929
														Subtotal = $398,929

Issue Date FY: 2005 ( Subtotal = $434,604 )
2005	2005	UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN CAMPUS	1000 ASP AVENUE	NORMAN	OK	73109		USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	3	8/29/2005	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$434,604
														Subtotal = $434,604

Issue Date FY: 2004 ( Subtotal = $381,916 )
2004	2004	UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN CAMPUS	555 CONSTITUTION ST., STE. 237	NORMAN	OK	73072	CLEVELAND	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	2	8/25/2004	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$381,916
														Subtotal = $381,916

Issue Date FY: 2003 ( Subtotal = $417,916 )
2003	2003	UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN CAMPUS	555 CONSTITUTION ST., STE. 237	NORMAN	OK	73072	CLEVELAND	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	1	9/30/2003	NEW	$417,916
														Subtotal = $417,916

Grand Total All Awards = $1,633,365

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PHASE CONTRAST X-RAY IMAGING WITH FIELD-EMISSION SOURCE

Award Number: R01CA104773

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: HEALTH SERVICES

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/30/2003

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2007

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