ABSTRACT
Among the different anatomical imaging techniques, x-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) is the preferred complement to preclinical functional imaging modalities, due to its high-resolution capabilities and the possibility of integration with other imaging systems. Small-animal micro-CT imaging systems are usually designed to provide complementary information for molecular imaging systems. The main design issues are image quality and the radiation delivered to the study animal. Flat-panel digital detectors are one of the most widely used x-ray detection devices for small-animal imaging. This chapter presents a brief overview of the state-of-the-art technology of the aforementioned detectors, focusing on their suitability for small-animal cone-beam micro-CT. Secondary quanta conversion and data read-out in indirect flat-panel x-ray detectors has traditionally been implemented as a pixel array based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (aSi:H) and thin-film transistor (TFT) technology. Each pixel consists of a reverse-biased photodiode and a TFT that acts as a switch.
