Improvements in Medical Imaging Reduces X-Ray Radiation Exposure

Utilizing X-ray image technology has been a staple in today’s medicine; however, it does create a significant risk to patients and medical personnel. Standard machines that offer X-ray treatments such as CT scanners, fluoroscopes, and mammography devices produce a considerable amount of hazardous radiation and are not very effective. 

Usually, the X-ray machines have silicone-based detectors to which most of the radiation passes through, creating the health risks so many face when participating in treatment. 

However, researchers at Los Alamos and Argonne National Laboratories have developed an X-ray detector that is comprised of calcium titanium oxide. These titanium oxide detectors are more sensitive than silicone-based and will allow the  X-ray imaging system to reduce the radiation they deliver and improve their image fidelity. 

Another positive of the new detector is its core. The new detector contains a thin film of perovskite that can be sprayed onto surfaces; this is unlike silicone devices that need metal deposition and high temperatures to be created.

“Potentially, we could use ink-jet types of systems to print large scale detectors,” added Tsai. “This would allow us to replace half-million-dollar silicon detector arrays with inexpensive, higher-resolution perovskite alternatives,” said Hsinhan (Dave) Tsai, a postdoctoral felloe at Los Alamos National Laboratory, in a press release. 

Watch a Los Alamos video about the new detector here.