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A high brightness microstructured anode X-ray source for clinical phase contrast imaging

Award Number: R44EB023284
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2015
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2019

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A high brightness microstructured anode X-ray source for clinical phase contrast imaging - X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) is widely regarded as one of the most exciting techniques to have emerged in x-ray physics, and has potential to significantly change the face of biomedical imaging. XPCI, which is based on the refraction of X-rays rather than their absorption, can provide up to 1000 times greater contrast in soft tissues than absorption contrast, which is the current method employed by x-ray equipment. The technique offers enormous potential for earlier diagnosis of diseases and visualization of features currently not visible through conventional techniques, as well as dramatic reduction in dosage to enable safer screening for cancer. Of the several approaches to XPCI, Talbot interferometry is considered to have the most potential for clinical use, as it does not require a synchrotron source. However, the current approach to Talbot phase contrast requires a grating placed near a conventional laboratory X-ray source (the addition of the source grating is called the Talbot-Lau technique). This has led to limits on the X-ray energies used in Talbot-Lau interferometers of less than <20 keV, which has restricted its use (35-80 keV being more optimal for clinical applications), in addition to reduced source efficiency. We propose to develop a high brightness X-ray source that is optimized to enable clinical Talbot interferometers at the higher energies that are relevant to clinical applications. The source employs a novel microstructured anode, which is comprised of an array of tungsten micron-sized X-ray emitters embedded in a material of excellent thermal conductivity and low density (diamond). These micro-emitters act as an array of small sources, which would remove the need for the source grating, and the inclusion of diamond provides superior thermal properties for high brightness. The proposed Phase I 9-month project is a proof-of-principle demonstration that the novel microstructured anode can be manufactured and would provide the desired thermal benefits and x-ray output, and the proposed Phase II 24-month project would produce two working prototypes of the source.


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: 2020 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2020	2018	SIGRAY, INC.	5750 IMHOFF DR STE I	CONCORD	CA	94520	CONTRA COSTA	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	11/23/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $556,848 )
2018	2018	SIGRAY, INC.	5750 IMHOFF DR STE I	CONCORD	CA	94520	CONTRA COSTA	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	9/1/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$556,848
														Subtotal = $556,848

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $942,194 )
2017	2017	SIGRAY, INC.	5750 IMHOFF DR STE I	CONCORD	CA	94520	CONTRA COSTA	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	2	9/26/2017	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$942,194
2017	2016	SIGRAY, INC.	5750 IMHOFF DR STE I	CONCORD	CA	94520	CONTRA COSTA	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	6/23/2017	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $942,194

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $224,812 )
2016	2016	SIGRAY INC	151 ADAMS RANCH ROAD	WALNUT CREEK	CA	94595	CONTRA COSTA	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	7/25/2016	NEW	$224,812
														Subtotal = $224,812

Grand Total All Awards = $1,723,854

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A high brightness microstructured anode X-ray source for clinical phase contrast imaging

Award Number: R44EB023284

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2015

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2019

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