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Quantitative assessment of bone mineral by photon scattering: calibration considerations.

The ratio of the coherent-to-Compton photons scattered from bone can be used to measure its mineral density. Conversion of this ratio (R) to bone mineral density (BMD) requires calibration using bone simulating phantoms. The widely used aqueous solution of K2HPO4 proved unsatisfactory for calibration purposes when using the coherent-to-Compton technique. These solutions differ markedly in their scatter spectra and composition from trabecular bone. In this study a new and more realistic series of phantoms is proposed which simulates well the trabecular bone of the calcaneum. These phantoms are made of bone ash suspended in white petrolatum in varying concentrations. A calibration curve has been established using these phantoms with a range of BMD values of 0 to 347 mg/cm3. The scatter spectra, and range of R values and BMD of these phantoms are in very good agreement with those of real trabecular bone. A measuring device has been built for the determination of the BMD of the calcaneum by using the established calibration curve.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Charge-coupled device detector: performance considerations and potential for small-field mammographic imaging applications.

The physical characteristics of a charge-coupled device (CCD) image detector were evaluated, as well as its potential as a digital imaging device for small field mammographic applications such as preoperative needle localization. The detection system is based on a 2048 x 2048 pixel CCD operated in 1024 x 1024 mode. The CCD was optically coupled to an intensifying screen via a lens, without intermediate intensification. The thermal noise was suppressed to 0.15 electrons pixel-1s-1 by cooling the CCD with liquid nitrogen. The dominant source of noise was attributed to the on-chip amplifier during the readout process that was performed at 50,000 pixels s-1. The measured readout noise level was 15 electrons per pixel. The low-noise characteristics of this CCD prototype detector produced encouraging results under conditions simulating mammography, with a signal level close to one electron per pixel for each detected x ray. The mean glandular dose to the breast, based on the entrance exposure measured from a standard mammographic phantom would be 1.52 mGy (152 mrad). The ultimate spatial resolution of the system was approximately 8 cycles/mm but it was limited to about 5 cycles/mm when operated in the 1024 x 1024 imaging mode. Other physical characteristics of the system such as optical coupling efficiency, exposure response, and signal-to-noise ratio were evaluated. The results of this study suggest that the use of a scientific-grade CCD allows for very good low-contrast discrimination and moderate spatial resolution under conditions simulating mammography, but the current prototype is limited to a 9 x 9-cm2 field of view.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗