We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




Novel Scintillating Material Produces Higher Resolution X-Ray Images with Ultralow Radiation

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 31 Aug 2023
Print article
Image: Less hazardous and more sensitive and eco-friendly scintillating compounds could greatly improve X-ray imaging technologies (Photo courtesy of KAUST)
Image: Less hazardous and more sensitive and eco-friendly scintillating compounds could greatly improve X-ray imaging technologies (Photo courtesy of KAUST)

Scientists around the globe are in constant search of advanced scintillators that offer heightened sensitivity at reduced costs and simpler manufacturing processes. Many of the potential alternatives have involved lead-based compounds, which not only pose toxicity concerns but also exhibit stability issues that limit their practical viability. Now, a multidisciplinary research team is actively engaged in developing novel scintillation materials tailored for X-ray imaging applications. These materials light up or "scintillate" upon exposure to X-rays passed through them. The patterns of light generated by these scintillation materials result in the creation of images that reveal complex details required from the examined specimen.

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia) are exploring the capabilities of lead-free materials that exhibit chemical stability, pose no toxicity risks, and can be readily processed. Surprisingly, the researchers discovered the remarkable X-ray responsiveness of organocopper halides—a class of compounds. These organocopper halides exhibited outstanding characteristics, including high light yield and an impressively low detection limit. Notably, one of the major technical challenges faced by the team was to effectively integrate these new materials into uniform scintillator screens. After extensive experimentation, they successfully combined these halides with an organic polymer, yielding an X-ray imaging screen with an extraordinary scintillation level. So far, this screen has one of the highest values reported for scintillation materials based on organic metal halides.

In related work, the researchers also developed other copper-based halide scintillating compounds. Leveraging their discoveries, they fabricated two types of their scintillators into nanorods and nanoparticles. These materials similarly exhibited ultrahigh yields and remarkably sharp spatial imaging resolution. This resolution outperforms currently available commercial systems by 150% and exhibits notably enhanced homogeneity compared to screens built using other polymer-powder mixtures. Another significant achievement was their ability to detect X-rays at exceptionally low levels—between 55 and 92 times lower than the standards for typical medical X-ray examinations. This achievement holds the potential to significantly minimize X-ray exposure and the associated risks for patients, provided these new scintillators can be seamlessly integrated into established commercial technologies. Moreover, the inherent low toxicity of these lead-free compounds can increase safety for workers engaged in screen production and operation.

The researchers achieved success in enhancing the performance of the compounds by reducing the sizes of the scintillating particle from micrometers to nanometers. Furthermore, all these scintillators demonstrate minimal scattering of incident X-rays and self-absorption of energy—challenges that hampered earlier efforts to develop viable scintillators. The research group now aims to explore the commercial potential of their breakthroughs and showcase the applicability of their findings in nondestructive testing scenarios, where X-ray transmission through materials can assess their structural integrity and identify potential flaws. Additionally, they aim to tackle the complex task of fabricating larger area screens, sized to accommodate real-world applications.

“These ground-breaking innovations with outstanding image resolution and brightness have the potential to revolutionize medical, industrial and security applications, while overcoming limitations and challenges faced by earlier attempts,” said Omar Mohammed who led the research. “Based on these findings, we believe that the future of X-ray technology appears brighter and more promising.”

Related Links:
KAUST 

Gold Supplier
128 Slice CT Scanner
Supria 128
New
Gold Supplier
IMRT Thorax Phantom
CIRS Model 002LFC
New
Ultrasound Diagnostic System
CMS600P2PLUS
New
Ultrasound System Drapes
Ultrasound System Drapes

Print article
Sun Nuclear -    Mirion

Channels

MRI

view channel
Image: MRI screen-detected breast cancers have been found to be most often invasive cancers (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

MRI Screen-Detected Breast Cancers Are Mostly Invasive

Annual breast MRI screening is advised for patients with a lifetime breast cancer risk exceeding 20%. There exists robust data about the features of mammographic screen-detected breast cancers, although... Read more

Ultrasound

view channel
Image: FloPatch is a revolutionary tool that facilitates real-time precision in IV fluid management in sepsis (Photo courtesy of Flosonics)

Wireless, Wearable Doppler Ultrasound Revolutionizes Precision Fluid Management in Sepsis Care

When a patient comes to the hospital with sepsis, administering intravenous (IV) fluids is usually the first course of action. However, too much IV fluid can do more harm than good, causing additional... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: An AI model can evaluate brain tumors on PET (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

AI Model for PET Imaging Determines Patient Response to Brain Tumor Treatments

The assessment of changes in metabolic tumor volume (MTV) through PET scans using specific radiotracers like F-18 fluoroethyl tyrosine (FET) plays a vital role in evaluating the treatment response in patients... Read more

General/Advanced Imaging

view channel
Image: Annalise Enterprise CTB acts like a ‘second pair of eyes’ for radiologists (Photo courtesy of Annalise.ai)

Deep Learning System Boosts Radiologist Accuracy and Speed for Head CTs

Non-contrast computed tomography of the brain (NCCTB) is a commonly employed method for identifying intracranial pathology. Despite its frequent use, the complex scan outcomes are prone to being misunderstood.... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.