Structured Glass-Ceramic Scintillators

The Problem:

For portal imaging at MeV energies, electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) based on indirect flat panel detector (I-FPD) technology, as depicted below, have become standard. The highest-performing I-FPDs that are currently available have very low (~1%) detective quantum efficiency (DQE) performance at MeV energies. This limitation is due to a large fraction of x-rays passing through the scintillating x-ray conversion layer undetected.

The Solution:

Researchers at the University of Tennessee and Stony Brook University have invented a novel structured x-ray scintillating material for I-FPDs, as shown below. This material greatly increases the DQE of the systems by utilizing x-rays that otherwise would go undetected. The structured nature of the material mitigates light scattering and allows for thicker, more absorbing materials.

 

 

Benefits:
- Order of magnitude improvement in DQE at MeV energies
- Improvements to the low-dose performance of megavoltage cone-beam computed tomography systems
- Improvements to the low-dose performance of megavoltage portal imaging systems for radiotherapy
 
 

INVENTORS: 

Dr. Lee Leonard
Adjunct Research Associate Professor
Dept. of Mechanical Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering
University of Tennessee
 
Dr. Leonard is an adjunct research associate professor at UT’s Space Institute (UTSI). He received his PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Tennessee. His research interests include ceramics, thin films, and functionalized nanoparticles.
 
 

Dr. Jacqueline Johnson
Professor
Dept. of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering
University of Tennessee
 
Dr. Johnson is a professor at UT’s Space Institute (UTSI). She received her PhD in physics from the University of Liverpool. Her research interests include glass ceramics, amorphous materials characterization, and medical applications of nanoparticles.
 
 

Dr. Rick Lubinsky
Continuing Professor
Dept. of Radiology
Stony Brook University
 
Dr. Lubinsky is a continuing professor at Stony Brook University. He received his PhD in Physics from Northwestern University. His research interests focus on the investigation of imaging performance and design optimization for flat-panel detectors.
 
 
For more information please contact Emma Vetland, Assistant Technology Manager. Evetland@tennessee.edu 

 

Patent Information:
Direct Link:
https://canberra-ip.technologypublisher.com/tech/Structured_Glass-Ceramic_Sci ntillators
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For Information, Contact:
Emma Vetland
Assistant Technology Manager
University of Tennessee Research Foundation
evetland@tennessee.edu