How do you address scatter in X-ray imaging?
The Scatter Problem in X-ray Imaging
All flat panel detectors in volumetric X-ray imaging systems are subject to the effects of scattered X-rays, leading to degraded low-contrast visualization and quantitative accuracy. As these devices become more widely used, it is important to identify new approaches for improving image quality and precision.
Volumetric X-ray imaging is hampered by contamination from scattered X-rays, which can exceed the primary signal by an order of magnitude. Without effective scatter mitigation, quantitative accuracy and low-contrast detection remain limited.
M2 Technologies' Clarity X Platform Mitigates Scattered X-rays
Clarity X combines an innovative two-dimensional antiscatter grid with data correction algorithms to improve X-ray image quality, supporting more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Proprietary Antiscatter Grid
Clarity X's antiscatter grid improves image quality in X-ray imaging systems. The design uses a proprietary 2D array of thin, radiopaque grid walls aligned toward the X-ray source, reducing scattered X-rays by up to 95%.
The Clarity X grid is fabricated using metal additive manufacturing, enabling grid designs that provide high scatter fluence reduction while maintaining primary X-ray transmission. Laboratory measurements show 4×–7× improvement in scatter suppression compared with conventional antiscatter grids.
What about the scattered X-rays the grid doesn't capture?
Residual scatter correction algorithms recover image quality by accounting for the small amount of scattered X-rays that pass through the antiscatter grid. Together, the grid and the algorithms form an integrated hardware and software solution for scatter suppression in flat-panel-detector-based X-ray imaging.
Clarity X Benefits
- Patented combination of 2D antiscatter grid and residual scatter correction algorithm provides robust scatter suppression in X-ray imaging systems.
- Higher primary X-ray transmission than conventional antiscatter grids, supporting improved dose efficiency and low-contrast visualization.
- High CT number accuracy in flat-panel-detector-based volumetric X-ray imaging.
- Provides scatter suppression beyond the diagnostic X-ray energy range; suitable for nondestructive testing and security imaging applications.
- Straightforward installation and integration; does not require alignment with detector pixels.
- Can be retrofitted into existing flat-panel-detector-based imaging systems or built into new systems.
Use Cases
- Cone beam CT for radiation therapy
- Dental and craniofacial cone beam CT
- Intraoperative X-ray imaging systems
- C-arm-based X-ray imaging
- Veterinary imaging
- Industrial CT
- Nondestructive testing
- Security imaging
