X-Ray

Medical and Dental Imaging

One of the main areas for which fiber optic tapers and faceplates have found widespread use is for medical and dental imaging applications. Some of these applications are described below.

Medical X-Ray

Mammographic Digital Imaging Center Photo courtesy of Fischer Imaging Corp.

Fiber Optic Based Digital Mammography System

In most medical radiography applications, a phosphor or gadolinium oxy sulfide screen is deposited on the large end of the taper and converts an x-ray image to visible light. The light is then transferred and reduced through the taper and coupled to a CCD chip for digital image processing.

SCHOTT Fiber Optics has serviced the mammography market for a number of years with a fiber optic product that enables acquisition of a clearer breast image with higher resolution and lower x-ray dosages. Mammography is a growing technology that helps to identify the presence of cancerous tissue in a breast when the cancerous tissue is at its earliest stages of development and before it has spread to multiple sites in the body. Although there are many opinions about the number of mammography exams that are required on an annual basis, it has been demonstrated that the procedure is successful in determining the existence of unwanted tissue. SCHOTT's fiber optic products are currently used in both full field mammography and biopsy systems, enabling improved patient care.

Dental X-Ray

Dental Faceplates

Another such application is dental radiography. SCHOTT Fiber Optics produces fiber optic plates that are an integral part of this new technology. A small rectangular taper or faceplate is used to couple the x-ray image formed on a radioluminescent screen in contact with the input surface of the fiber optic to the CCD. This is encapsulated in a plastic housing small enough to fit in the mouth and image one or two teeth. The image is instantly available on a CRT and permanent print can be made in a few seconds. Alternative units using faceplates and tapers are being made for external panoramic imaging of the entire jaw or skull.

Once again, the efficiency of the taper and the sensitivity of the CCD array sensor reduce the x-ray exposure to the patient and provides for real-time imaging.

Tapers

Faceplates

SCHOTT Lighting and Imaging is ISO 9001:2000, ISO 13485:2003 registered

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Lighting and Imaging
SCHOTT North America Inc.

122 Charlton Street
Southbridge, MA 01550
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