Generating XACT images with a single-shot X-ray pulse in nanoseconds

X-ray imaging is widely deployed in scientific and medical realms, but the harm of radiation and slow imaging speed remain key limitations.

Wang et al. developed a new type imaging modality called XACT (X-ray induced acoustic computed tomography) that is a promising alternative to traditional X-rays. XACT is similar to CT scans, but XACT can image the human body at a much faster speed and a much smaller radiation dose compared to traditional CT imaging.

“The innovation here is that we only need a single-shot X-ray pulse in nanoseconds to generate an XACT image, which typically requires around 1,000 pulses for averaging,” said author Siqi Wang.

The researchers used a 128-channel ring-shaped ultrasound array and a 150 kilovoltage peak X-ray source with a 50-nanosecond pulse width to achieve full tomographic imaging capability from a single pulse with a spatial resolution of 0.97 millimeters.

The researchers plan to develop a portable 3D X-ray fluoroscopy, which could have a large impact in interventional radiology in clinical practice.

XACT imagine could have applications in medical practice and non-destructive testing (NDT).

“XACT image guidance can be used for many percutaneous interventions, including biopsies, placement of drainage tubes and catheters, tumor ablation, aspiration and injection,” said author Liangzhong (Shawn) Xiang.

XACT could also be useful in NDT of infrastructure and vehicles in industrial radiography, since XACT has a unique advantage in these contexts as it requires access to only a single side of the sample.

Source: “X-ray-induced acoustic computed tomographic (XACT) imaging with single-shot nanosecond x-ray,” by Siqi Wang, Vassili Ivanov, Prabodh Kumar Pandey, and Liangzhong Xiang, Applied Physics Letters (2021). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0071911 .