Digital detectors for mammography: the technical challenges.
This paper reviews the different techniques available and competing for full-field digital mammography. The detectors are described in their principles: photostimulable storage phosphor plates inserted as a cassette in a conventional mammography unit, dedicated active matrix detectors (i.e., flat-panel, thin-film transistor-based detectors) and scanning systems, using indirect and direct X-ray conversion. The main parameters that characterize the performances of the current systems and influence the quality of digital images are briefly explained: spatial resolution, detective quantum efficiency and modulation transfer function. Overall performances are often the result of compromises in the choice of technology.
Noel
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A
Centre Alexis Vautrin, Unité de Radiophysique Médicale, Paris, France.
Thibault
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F
D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*