OptimizationofPhaseContrastImaging.docVIP

Vanderbilt University Department of Biomedical Engineering Optimization of Phase Contrast Imaging Team Members:  Luke Powers Chris Weaver Alfred Luk Jonathan Fermo Advisor: Frank E. Carroll, M.D. Date of Submission: April 26, 2005 Abstract: In the United States an estimated 211,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women and an estimated 40,410 women will die from the disease. Invasive breast cancer develops when abnormal cells from inside the lobules or ducts break out into the surrounding breast tissue. This allows the cancer to spread to the lymph nodes and to vital organs. Earlier detection in mammography is the best way to reduce the severity of the disease. Significant improvements in mammography may occur with the development of phase contrast radiography (PC-R). PC-R provides a new method for soft-tissue imaging contrast and has significant potential for early cancer detection in mammography and specimen radiography. However there is much future work to be done in terms of characterizing the parameters required for various tissues to successfully move PC-R into a clinical setting. A system to accurately position a specimen for PC-R testing is necessary to assist in the optimization of such parameters. This device allows for object movement of 5 cm vertically, 6 cm horizontally, and 360( rotationally. The detector moves linearly away from the object a maximum of 90 cm. Testing of the device included measuring and calculating the error in the movements as well as using it for imaging. The error proved to be smaller than necessary with 10 (m of error for horizontal and vertical motion, 0.0167 gradians for rotational motion, and 25 (m for detector motion. The device also successfully was used in imaging. Images were captured at a variety of object-to-detector distances and rotational orientations. Phase contrast effects were captured, showing that PC-R research can be done using the device.