Gabriel Bartal MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Boaz Avraham, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gabriel Polliack, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate image detail and contrast detectability of a new plasma read out flat panel digital detector (Plasma DR) for general radiography, in comparison with storage phosphor CR and conventional screen/films.

The plasma DR is a flat-panel amorphous selenium-based detector with an active imaging area of 17" x 17" and pixel size of 160 microns. The detector uses a micro-plasma line scanner for line addressing during image readout. It obviates the need for TFT’s, photodiodes or storage capacitor arrays; bypassing manufacturing complexity associated with active matrix array flat panel detectors. We comparatively assessed spatial and contrast resolution of four radiographic modalities: Phosphor image plate CR ST-VI (Fuji), two conventional screen/films Curix Ortho-fast/CP-BU new (Agfa) and CP-B 200/CP-BU new (Agfa), and Plasma DR (Edge Medical Devices) using Contrast Detail Radiography (CDRAD) phantom. All modalities were exposed using the same x-ray beam parameters (90kVp, 1.1 mAs, 2 mR, 13mm added aluminum filtration) that simulated abdomen according to the ISO 9236-1 standard. Seven observers analyzed the images and identified the resolvable patterns for each modality.

Evaluation of the CDRAD Phantom X-ray images revealed a slightly better performance of the Plasma DR, where lower combination of disc diameter and disc depth can be resolved. The average relative detectability of Fuji-CR, Curix Ortho-fast, CP-B 200, and Edge-Plasma DR was 42%, 46%, 27%, and 47%, respectively.

The image detail and contrast detectability of Plasma DR was significantly better than CP-B 200 screen/film and slightly better than Fuji-CR and Curix Ortho-fast screen/film. Due to its simple manufacturing process and demonstrated performance, Plasma DR can become an additional DR alternative to other expensive DR technologies and CR.

G.P.: Consultant to Edge Medical

Bartal, G, Avraham, B, Polliack, G, Image Detail and Contrast Detectability: Comparison of Plasma Digital Radiography Flat Panel Detector with Screen/Film and CR.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4419579.html