X-ray micro-CT scanner for small animal imaging based on Timepix detector technology

We describe a newly developed compact micro-CT scanner with rotating gantry equipped with a Timepix Quad hybrid pixel semiconductor detector and a micro-focus X-ray tube providing spatial resolution down to 30µm. The resolving power of the device in relation to soft tissue sensitivity is demonstrate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment, 2015-02, Vol.773, p.81-86
Main Authors: Dudak, Jan, Zemlicka, Jan, Krejci, Frantisek, Polansky, Stepan, Jakubek, Jan, Mrzilkova, Jana, Patzelt, Matej, Trnka, Jan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computerized tomography
Contrast agents
Devices
Hybrid detector
Imaging
Resolution
Scanners
Semiconductors
Small animal imaging
Soft tissues
Spectrometers
Timepix
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Summary:We describe a newly developed compact micro-CT scanner with rotating gantry equipped with a Timepix Quad hybrid pixel semiconductor detector and a micro-focus X-ray tube providing spatial resolution down to 30µm. The resolving power of the device in relation to soft tissue sensitivity is demonstrated using a tissue-equivalent phantom and different types of biological samples. The results demonstrate that the use of noiseless particle counting detectors is a promising way to achieve sufficient soft tissue contrast even without any contrast agents. •We developed a new micro-CT scanner for small animal imaging.•Application of Timepix technology to obtain enhanced soft tissue contrast.•Spatial resolution below 30µm achieved.•Performance demonstrated using a tissue equivalent phantom and biological samples.
ISSN:0168-9002
1872-9576
DOI:10.1016/j.nima.2014.10.076