Project: Portable RObust X-ray IMAge detector based on a flexible TFT array with organic and metal oxide semiconductors and an X-ray convertor

Acronym	PROXIMA (Reference Number: PS-2016_07)
Duration	01/11/2017 - 31/01/2020
Project Topic	Over the last 5 years the X-ray imaging market has transitioned from screen/film (S/F) and Computed Radiography (CR) systems to Direct Radiography (DR) systems. Flat Panel Detectors (FPDs) have become the most dominant technology for digital radiography offering improved image quality thanks to the high resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), improved work-flow and almost immediate image availability. Current ‘gold standard’ FPDs rely on amorphous silicon (a-Si) active matrix arrays and a-Si photodiodes which makes them expensive, rigid and prone to mechanical failures upon impact. A completely new and disruptive X-ray photonic sensor for medical applications will be demonstrated by PROXIMA presenting the following main advantages over the actual state of the art: 1) low-cost to facilitate its adoption by low-budget hospitals, clinics and in developing countries where healthcare budgets are limited, 2) lightweight and robust allowing it to be easily carried to point of care (POC) and mobile trauma imaging applications 3) of high image quality in the low exposure limit to allow for dose reduction 4) conformable to enable advantages in cone-beam CT (CBCT) and tomosynthesis in which 3D images are constructed from 2D images taken from different directions. These benefits will arise by manufacturing the active matrix arrays with a flexible complementary and hybrid thin-film transistor (TFT) technology consisting of organic and non-critical metal oxide semiconductors with organic dielectrics on plastic substrates. Furthermore, PROXIMA will demonstrate for the first time the compatibility of the flexible TFT arrays with photoconductors where the X-rays are directly converted to an electric charge, thus realising a fully integrated detector with enhanced portability. The PROXIMA X-ray FPD will be validated in a medical environment and the concepts developed will be extended to other fields such as industrial non-destructive testing, security and food inspection.
Network	PhotonicSensing
Call	Photonics based sensing

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Agfa HealthCare N.V.	Coordinator	Belgium
2	Instituto de Desenvolvimento de Novas Tecnologias	Partner	Portugal
3	FlexEnable Ltd	Partner	United Kingdom