Preliminary performance measurements from a second generation diffraction enhanced imaging system

Purpose: The goal of this study was to begin quantifying the performance of a second generation diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) system designed to reduce imaging time from our first generation system. Background: DEI, a phase contrast x-ray imaging modality, generates images with enhanced soft tissue contrast at a lower dose than conventional radiography. Our group has previously reported on an x-ray tube-based DEI system, but a substantial gap remained between the imaging time of that system and that of a clinical DEI system. Method: A high power, rotating anode x-ray tube was integrated into this second generation DEI system along with an image intensifier to improve photon counting efficiency. Images of phantoms were acquired using a tube power of 10 kW (125 kVp, 80 mA) at the silicon [333] reflection with the analyzer crystal at its half-reflectivity point. Results: Our preliminary results show comparable image contrast to the first generation DEI system. Imaging time was reduced by a factor four and x-ray-on time was reduced by a factor of sixty from the initial prototype system. Conclusions: These early results from our second generation diffraction enhanced imaging system show significant reduction in imaging time with preservation of DEI contrast.