Abstract
This work encompasses the study of energy dispersive X-ray diffraction CT (EDXRDCT) system to be installed outside breast tissue biopsy subtraction operation theatre. The system was tested using different materials that simulate breast tissue diffraction pattern contrast and shape compactness. The system spatial resolution was assessed to detect the smallest possible details in each position. The system detection of detail shapes was calculated using compactness parameter. Initially the EDXRDCT system was used with a pinhole CdTe detector to radiate samples of raw materials and different combinations of materials were counted to simulate the contrast between breast tissue at 1.1 nm-1 and 1. 6 nm-1. The system was then tested using cylindrical samples of two materials with different details sizes (2 mm, 1 mm and 0. 5mm) that simulate the contrast between breast tissues. Profiles of the EDXRDCT images were plotted and found that details until 1 mm of size can be detected. Some samples of different shapes and materials that simulate breast tissue was scanned using the EDXRDCT system with HEXITEC detector. Scanned parameters were optimised for the beast compactness results that give close values to MicroCT findings. Furthermore a waxed real tissue of liver was scanned to prove the feasibility of scanning waxed tissue instead of fresh ones. The compactness and diffraction of sample details was measured. Finally, a phantom that simulates breast tissue contrast and shapes was designed to test the EDXRDCT system with HEXITEC detector. The system was capable to show details shape and give close compactness values to Micro CT results in 2. 5 hours scanning time.