A new 2D-tiled detector for multislice CT

The tremendous increase in speed with which the body can now be scanned using multislice CT has improved the diagnostic ability of the modality, especially in time critical applications involving contrast injection. Advances in photodiode and front-end electronics technology now allow a CT detector module to be made that can be tiled in two dimensions. An array of such modules can be used to easily make a CT scanner with hundreds of slices with the promise of scanning whole organs with a single revolution and further improving diagnostic ability. Recently, a back-illuminated photodiode for CT has been developed which has its electrical connections on the underside. With all four sides of the silicon chip free, the photodiodes can be tiled in two dimensions. In addition, improvements in front-end electronics now allow the A/D converters for all photodiode elements to be placed completely behind the photodiode. A prototype detector module has been constructed and tested. Measurements of DQE, MTF, dynamic range and temporal response are presented showing that the module has the same high performance as detectors found in current diagnostic CT scanners. A dynamic range of 250,000:1 at a frame rate of 10,000 fps has been achieved. Alternatively a dynamic range of 1,000,000:1 can be achieved at 2,500 fps. This new compact 2D tiled detector with digital data output can be used as a basic building block for future multislice detection systems enabling larger coverage and the promise of improved diagnostic ability.

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