Exposure dose saving DR technology
‘D-EVO + ISS’, provides high
resolution image quality
Article provided by FujiFilm
U
tilising FUJIFILM’s patent US8049177 unique Irradiation Side
figure 1: D-EVO Flat Panel Detector
Sampling (ISS) method, the light-weight and wireless FUJIFILM
FDR D-EVO enables the combination of reduced patient
dose, while at the same time, providing optimum image
quality. In a clinical evaluation of physical and visual performance, ISS-DR
was compared to conventional FUJIFILM CR systems (hereafter CR).
Overview
Fujifilm offers its D-EVO Flat Panel Detector wireless and wired
version. The wireless is charged by long-lasting batteries and beneficial
for table top examinations, IC ward, and bed examinations. The
D-EVO is an indirect-conversion FPD, and consists of a phosphor that
converts x-ray to light and a photodiode equipped with a TFT that
converts light to electric charge. By driving TFT, charges produced in
the photodiode are read out and converted to a digital converter.
The D-EVO wireless features 150 micron pixel pitch, a wide 16-bit
dynamic range, one sec preview and less than 6 second (wired) and 9
second (wireless) turnover time. The revolutionary detector features
Fujifilm’s patent ISS (Irradiation Side sampling, capturing the x-ray
image from the incident/patient side of the detector) which provides
ultra-sharp images with superior dose efficiency. Our D-EVO is
available in GOS or CsI scintillator detector type. It offers outstanding
dose reduction up to 70% (CsI),(50%GOS) compared to Fujifilm
CR, and 20% over comparable DR detector designs DQE and MTF
are wildly used as comprehensive indices for image quality. DQE in
Fujifilm CsI D-EVO is 69.1% and in our GOS detector 45.4% pointing
a low x-ray demand for excellent image quality.
D-EVO (see figure 1) figure 2: Conventional method vs. Fujifilm’s new method
24x30cm/35x43cm/43x43cm
Wireless /wired
150kg durability
ISS technology
Utilising the ISS method (see figure 2), the ISS-DR panel samples the
scintillator output from the incident (irradiated) side, decreasing the
distance between the point where the x-ray photons are converted
to light and the photodiode array that receives the light. This shorter
distance makes the light less prone to scatter and are higher in intensity
when compared to Conventional Side Sampling (CSS) methods. The
use of the ISS method also makes scintillator thickness optimisation
possible, yielding an improvement to x-ray absorption of 25%.
ISS-DR with GOS scintillator
FUJIFILM’s original GOS scintillator design incorporates an optimal
blend of two different phosphor sizes, large phophors that provide a
high luminescence output and small phosphors that minimise blurring.
This phosphor blend further improves x-ray absorption by an additional
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IMAGING AND DIAGNOSTICS MAGAZINE issue 1 2013
FEATURE fujifilm
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10% (see figure 2). It is the combination of these technologies that
figure 3: ISS-DR Csl Scintillator
allow ISS-DR (GOS) 1) to achieve high resolution imaging at low x-ray
exposures similar to that of conventional CsI panels.
ISS-DR with CsI Scintillator (see figure 3)
Although CsI scintillators are generally known for high sharpness and
x-ray conversion efficiency, the crystallinity at the bases of the CsI
columnar crystals is poor. Because of this, attenuation and scattering
of the light signal is likely to occur. However, ISS-DR (CsI) samples the
tips of columnar crystals, avoiding their poorly structured bases and
achieving an unprecedented DQE, of 53% (1 cyc/mm, RQA5).
Fujifilm offers DEVO GOS and DEVO CsI in any of the x-ray units,
like FDR Smart, FDR DEVO Suit or Acselerate.
Summary
The image quality of ISS-DR (GOS), ISS-DR (CsI) and CR was
compared using reductions in exposure dose. The results of this
comparison indicate that the amount of x-ray dose needed for ISS-DR
can be dramatically reduced when compared with CR, and that the
amount of x-ray dose is reduced by 50% with ISS-DR (GOS) and by
66-75% with ISS-DR (CsI).
FUJIFILM can further reduce x-ray dose by combining its noise
reduction image processing algorithm known as FNC (Flexible Noise
Control) to ISS-DR detector technology.
FUJIFILM continues to focus its R&D efforts on technologies that
enable dose reduction, optimise image quality, and enhance both the
patient and clinician experience. IMAGING AND DIAGNOSTICS
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