Researchers at the University of Houston are developing a new approach to X-ray that could improve diagnostic accuracy while reducing costs and scan times.

Their work focuses on photon-counting detectors, which capture X-rays at multiple energy levels to create more detailed, color-enhanced 3D images.

The research, led by Mini Das, Moores professor at UH’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Cullen College of Engineering, was recently published in the Journal of Medical Imaging. The technology could help doctors better distinguish between different tissues and materials, enhancing the detection of conditions such as fractures and tumors.
“Right now, X-rays used in medical clinics and other industries collect incoming photons as a whole, similar to how white light contains all the colors, but they aren’t separated,” Das said. “So, while they can show differences in density — like distinguishing between bone and soft tissue — they can’t tell us exactly what materials are present.”

The photon counting detectors developed by Das and her team separate X-ray photons by energy, much like a prism splitting light into different colors. This capability allows for more precise identification of substances in the body, such as contrast agents used in imaging. Das noted that this could improve cancer detection by enabling doctors to track multiple contrast agents simultaneously, differentiating tumor growth from inflammation.

One challenge with the technology is that some materials share similar X-ray properties, making it difficult to distinguish them beyond a certain number. Additionally, errors can arise when detectors separate photons by energy. Das’s team has developed a method to correct for these distortions by calibrating the detectors with known materials, improving the accuracy of material decomposition.

While the technology is still in the research phase, UH researchers are working with European industry partners to develop larger detectors and refine measurement accuracy. Das envisions applications beyond medicine, including security scanning, materials imaging, and geophysics.

The research is supported by multiple funding agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, and the National Institutes of Health. A recent grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering is aimed at developing low-dose Micro-CT technology, which could reduce radiation exposure and scan times.

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