Theoretical investigation of the signal performance of HgIx-ray converters incorporating a Frisch grid structure at mammographic energies.

Active matrix, flat-panel imagers (AMFPIs) suffer from decreased detective quantum efficiency under conditions of low dose per image frame (such as for digital breast tomosynthesis, fluoroscopy and cone-beam CT) due to low signal compared to the additive electronic noise. One way to address this challenge is to introduce a high-gain x-ray converter called particle-in-binder mercuric iodide (PIB HgI) which exhibits 3-10 times higher x-ray sensitivity compared to that of a-Se and CsI:Tl converters employed in commercial AMFPI systems. However, a remaining challenge for practical implementation of PIB HgIis the high level of image lag, which is believed to largely originate from the trapping of holes.

Empirical noise performance of prototype active pixel arrays employing polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors.

Purpose: In the spirit of overcoming the signal-to-noise limitations of active matrix, flat-panel imagers (AMFPIs) which employ array circuits based on a-Si:H thin-film transistors (TFTs), an empirical investigation of the noise properties of prototype active pixel arrays based on polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) TFTs is reported. Like a-Si:H, poly-Si supports fabrication of large area, monolithic x-ray imaging arrays and offers good radiation damage resistance, while providing electron and hole mobility orders of magnitude higher. Compared to pixel circuits typically consisting of a single addressing switch in an AMFPI array, the pixel circuit of an active pixel array includes an amplifier that magnifies the imaging signal prior to readout by external acquisition electronics.

Count rate capabilities of polycrystalline silicon photon counting detectors for CBCT applications-a theoretical study.

The signal-to-noise properties of active matrix, flat-panel imagers (AMFPIs) limit the imaging performance of this x-ray imaging technology under conditions of low dose per image frame. This limitation can affect cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) procedures where an AMFPI is used to acquire hundreds of image frames to form a single volumetric data set. An approach for overcoming this limitation is to replace the energy-integrating pixel circuits of AMFPI arrays with photon counting pixel circuits which examine the energy of each x-ray interaction and count those events whose signals exceed user-defined energy thresholds.

Theoretical investigation of the count rate capabilities of in-pixel amplifiers for photon counting arrays based on polycrystalline silicon TFTs.

Purpose: Photon counting arrays (PCAs), capable of measuring the spectral information of individual x-ray photons and recording that information digitally, provide a number of advantages compared to conventional, energy-integrating active matrix flat-panel imagers - such as reducing the undesirable effects of electronic readout noise and Swank noise. While contemporary PCAs are based on crystalline silicon, our group has been examining the use of polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si, a semiconductor material better-suited for the manufacture of large-area devices) for such arrays. In this study, a theoretical investigation of the front-end amplifiers of array pixels incorporating photon counting circuits is described - building upon circuit simulation techniques developed in a previous study.

Theoretical investigation of the noise performance of active pixel imaging arrays based on polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors.

Purpose: Active matrix flat-panel imagers, which typically incorporate a pixelated array with one a-Si:H thin-film transistor (TFT) per pixel, have become ubiquitous by virtue of many advantages, including large monolithic construction, radiation tolerance, and high DQE. However, at low exposures such as those encountered in fluoroscopy, digital breast tomosynthesis and breast computed tomography, DQE is degraded due to the modest average signal generated per interacting x-ray relative to electronic additive noise levels of ~1000 e, or greater. A promising strategy for overcoming this limitation is to introduce an amplifier into each pixel, referred to as the active pixel (AP) concept.

Performance of in-pixel circuits for photon counting arrays (PCAs) based on polycrystalline silicon TFTs.

Photon counting arrays (PCAs), defined as pixelated imagers which measure the absorbed energy of x-ray photons individually and record this information digitally, are of increasing clinical interest. A number of PCA prototypes with a 1 mm pixel-to-pixel pitch have recently been fabricated with polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si)-a thin-film technology capable of creating monolithic imagers of a size commensurate with human anatomy. In this study, analog and digital simulation frameworks were developed to provide insight into the influence of individual poly-Si transistors on pixel circuit performance-information that is not readily available through empirical means.

Expression of recombinant MDA-BF-1 with a kinase recognition site and a 7-histidine tag for receptor binding and purification.

Prostate cancer metastasizes predominantly to bone, where it induces osteoblastic lesions. Paracrine factors secreted by the metastatic cancer cells are thought to mediate these events. We previously isolated a novel bone metastasis-related factor (MDA-BF-1) from bone marrow aspirate samples from patients with prostate cancer and bone metastasis, and found that this factor stimulated osteoblast differentiation, possibly by interacting with a receptor on the osteoblasts.