ABSTRACT
The X-ray imaging field is currently undergoing a period of rapid technological innovation in diagnostic imaging equipment. An important recent development is the advent of new X-ray detectors, that is, photon-counting detectors, which have been introduced in experimental computed tomography (CT) systems. These systems represent a new imaging modality, since they allow analysis of the energy composition of the transmitted X-ray spectrum. By dividing the spectrum into well-chosen energy-based datasets, ‘multicolor’ imaging of specific materials (e.g., water, contrast media, etc.), also known as K-edge imaging, is possible with such systems. Based on Philips research and development and a first experience on a proof of concept prototype, a small field of view animal spectral photon-counting computed tomography (SPCCT) system was built and transferred in May 2015 to the University of Lyon collaborators for medical experiments as a small animal scanner in the context of an European project funded by the Horizon 2020 grant. In this chapter, we describe multi-energy CT imaging, from dual energy to photon-counting technology, and our initial experience results using this clinical-scale SPCCT prototype system in vitro and in vivo. We introduce also possible clinical applications.
