Design and characterization of the I-ImaS multi-element x-ray detector system

I-ImaS (Intelligent Imaging Sensors) is a European project aiming to produce new, intelligent x-ray imaging systems using novel APS sensors to create optimal diagnostic images. Initial systems have been constructed for medical imaging; specifically mammography and dental encephalography. However, the I-ImaS system concept could be applied to all areas of x-ray imaging, including homeland security and industrial QA. The I-ImaS system intelligence is implemented by the use of APS technology and FPGAs, allowing real-time analysis of data during image acquisition. This gives the system the capability to perform as an on-the-fly adaptive imaging system, with the potential to create images with maximum diagnostic information within given dose constraints. The I-ImaS system uses a scanning linear array of scintillator-coupled 1.5-D CMOS Active Pixel Sensors to create a full 2-D x-ray image of an object. This paper describes the parameters considered when choosing the scintillator elements of the detectors. A study of the positioning of the sensors to form a linear detector is also considered, along with a discussion of the potential losses in image quality associated with creating a linear sensor by tiling many smaller sensors. Preliminary results show that the detectors have sufficient performance to be used successfully in the initial mammographic and encephalographic I-ImaS systems that are currently under construction. Index Terms--CMOS, scintillators, x-ray imaging.