Development of phase-contrast X-ray imaging techniques and potential medical applications

作者：Zhou Shu Ang^*; Brahme Anders

来源：Physica Medica, 2008, 24(3): 129-148.

DOI：10.1016/j.ejmp.2008.05.006

• Phase-contrast
• X-ray imaging
• Soft tissue contrast
• Phase-contrast stereography

A significant improvement over conventional attenuation-based X-ray imaging, which tacks contrast in small objects and soft biological tissues, is obtained by introducing phase-contrast imaging. As recently demonstrated, phase-contrast imaging is characterized by its extraordinary image quality, greatly enhanced contrast, and good soft tissue discrimination with very high spatial resolution down to the micron and even the sub-micron region. The rapid development of compact X-ray sources of high brightness, tuneability, and monochromaticity as well as high-resolution X-ray detectors with high quantum efficiency and improved computational methods is stimulating the development of a new generation of X-ray imaging systems for medical applications. The present paper reviews some intrinsic mechanisms, recent technical developments and potential medical applications of two-, three- and four-dimensional phase-contrast X-ray imaging. Challenging issues in current phase-contrast imaging techniques and key clinical applications are discussed and possible developments of future high-contrast and high spatial and temporal resolution medical X-ray imaging systems are outlined.

• 出版日期2008-9