X-rays: Tissue interaction

X-rays: Tissue interaction

X-rays: Tissue interaction
X-rays: Tissue interaction

In practice, the mass attenuation coefficient, μ/ρ, and the mass

energy-absorption coefficient, μen/ρ, are quantities often used in
calculations of the penetration and the energy deposition by
photons (x-ray, but also γ-ray, PET-photons etc.) in biological,
shielding and other materials.

The mass energy-absorption coefficient, μen/ρ, is described perhaps

more clearly through the use of an intermediate quantity, the mass
energy-transfer coefficient, μtr/ρ.
X-rays: Tissue interaction

The mass attenuation coefficient, μ/ρ, can be expressed by

specifying the above to the mass density of the material ρ.
If we then take into account the average fractions f of the photon
energy E that is transferred to kinetic energy of the primary
electrons released through the photon-atom interactions, we get an
expression for the mass-energy transfer coefficient μtr/ρ :

fpe fσC
(i.e., the average energy of characteristic x rays emitted per absorbed photon)
(i.e., the average energy of the Compton-scattered photon)
X-rays: Tissue interaction

The mass attenuation coefficient, μ/ρ, can be expressed by

specifying the above to the mass density of the material ρ.
If we then take into account the average fractions f of the photon
energy E that is transferred to kinetic energy of the primary
electrons released through the photon-atom interactions, we get an
expression for the mass-energy transfer coefficient μtr/ρ :

fpe fσC
This coefficient can perhaps be best understood when multiplying it by the photon energy fluence ψ (ψ = ΦE, where Φ is the photon fluence
and E the photon energy); this would give the sum of kinetic energies of all those primary electrons released by the photons per unit mass.
X-rays: Tissue interaction

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Signal, Contrast, Target detection

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Signal, Contrast, Target detection

A mathematical model is needed that can be used to find the optimum photon energy for a given
application, with the overall aim of minimizing the patient dose.
Signal, Contrast, Target detection
Signal, Contrast, Target detection

:
Signal, Contrast, Target detection

Thus contrast is dependent on:

• Difference in attenuation coefficients
• Composition of object (thickness x of the target)
• Amount of scattering relative to primary
But: independent on overall object thickness t and incident intensity I_0 = N_0 * E, except to note that µ does vary with E.
As it is independent of incident beam intensity, the definition of contrast is not very useful to determine x-ray tube settings to tune N_0, E
Signal, Contrast, Target detection
Signal, Contrast, Target detection

We now recognize that all important parameters contribute to the

detectability:
-the size of the target,
-the intensity of the incident beam,
-the thickness of the large object,
-the difference in attenuation coefficients,
-the efficiency of the detector,
-and finally the amount of scatter.
Signal, Contrast, Target detection
Signal, Contrast, Target detection
Signal, Contrast, Target detection
Signal, Contrast, Target detection