[Hologic's Flat-Panel Detector].

Abstract

We measured and evaluated digital, pre-sampling and overall imaging properties (characteristic curve, Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), Wiener spectrum (WS), Noise Equivalent Quanta (NEQ) and Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE)) for Hologic's direct type and Cannon's indirect type of Flat-Panel Detector (FPD). First, the digital and overall characteristic curves of both types of FPD were more wide dynamic range than that of the S/F system. Second, the pre-sampling and overall MTF of the direct-type FPD system were superior to those of the indirect-type FPD system. Third, for identical exposures, the digital and overall WS of the direct-type FPD system were similar or worse than those of the indirect-type FPD system, and for larger exposure, the digital WS of the both types of FPD system were smaller, but the overall WS of the both types of FPD systems were larger. Fourth, the digital and overall NEQ and DQE of the direct-type FPD system were worse than those of the indirect-type FPD system at lower spatial frequencies than 1.75 - 2.0 mm(-1), but were worse at higher spatial frequencies than 1.75 - 2.0 mm(-1). We show radiographs made with the direct type of FPD system. Radiographs of square wave chart show the difference in MTF and contrast of the both types of FPD systems. As the result of evaluation of radiographs of chest phantom in point of noise by radiologists and radiological technologists, the direct type of FPD system needed double or more exposure dose than own standard condition, this dose was same as the indirect-type FPD system. And radiologists evaluated radiographs of human body, spatial resolution was very good, but contrast was much more likely to high at standard parameter. Therefore we have to consider exposure condition and image processing for the direct type of FPD system.