New X‑ray sensor promises safer medical imaging with less radiation
X-ray imaging is generally safe, but at high intensities, it can have adverse effects. Scientists have developed a solution that could transform the way we image patients and objects.
15 November 2024 09:02
Researchers from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have created a new X-ray sensor that provides clearer images while significantly reducing radiation doses. This innovation could revolutionise medical diagnostics and industrial applications of X-rays, enhancing their efficiency and leading to greater safety.
X-rays form the basis of modern diagnostic methods such as imaging and computed tomography and play a key role in industry. However, their ionising nature poses a health risk, especially with repeated exposure to high doses of radiation. They are generally safe for patients but can endanger those operating radiation-generating devices, as it takes thousands of scans for cumulative effects to manifest.
Scientists have sought ways to reduce exposure for patients and medical staff for years. Repeated exposure to high-energy radiation can threaten not only humans but also cause damage to electronic equipment, for example, when scanned at airports. A team of researchers from King Abdullah University has made significant progress towards increasing safety and developing a novel, more sensitive X-ray detector.
— "This advancement reduces detection limits and paves the way for safer and more energy-efficient medical imaging and industrial monitoring," said Omar F. Mohammed, the lead author of the study published in the journal "ACS Central Science".
Safer imaging
To enhance the detectors' sensitivity, scientists aimed to minimise the background noise generated by the device. To this end, they employed specialised perovskite crystals combined with a cascaded electrical system, which allowed them to reduce noise by nearly half. This substantially improved the detection limit of X-rays.
In tests, the new detector revealed minute details on radiograms, such as a metal needle piercing a raspberry or the internal components of a USB cable. The team of scientists claims that this technology could, in the future, contribute to the development of safer and more precise commercial X-ray devices.
Like visible light and radio waves, X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation but with much higher energy. This enables them to penetrate most materials, including the human body's soft tissues. When creating an X-ray image, these rays pass through the body and are absorbed by denser tissues, such as bones, resulting in brighter areas on the radiogram.
The new sensor can significantly reduce the radiation dose needed to obtain a clear image, which is crucial for the safety of patients and staff. Additionally, this technology could have industrial applications. It will enable more accurate monitoring with less risk of damage to electronic equipment.
