0:00

With the photon-counting detector, it's also bringing excitement with new

0:04

possibilities.

0:06

The possibilities such as beam hardening reduction is

0:10

dramatically positive with the photon-counting detector.

0:14

This is a mandible image with low energy and

0:18

with high energy, and the total energy, the image quality

0:22

is quite dramatically improved.

0:25

What about the radiation dose?

0:27

Because with the image noise level lower, it provides an

0:31

opportunity to reduce radiation dose further.

0:34

Compared to conventional CT, smaller detector element size in

0:38

photon can be used two ways.

0:41

Either you can increase the spatial resolution at similar

0:44

radiation dose and noise,

0:47

or I can lower the radiation dose at similar spatial

0:50

resolution and noise level as in energy detector.

0:55

Depending on the task, the photon-counting detector has a

0:59

potential to reduce radiation dose by nearly

1:03

30% to 60%, which is further

1:06

advantage of using CTs in our

1:10

clinic. Here's an example of a spatial

1:14

resolution of a stent or a calcification.

1:17

As shown with the photon-counting detector, there are

1:21

different modes. One is a standard mode, and here's the sharp mode, which

1:25

clearly shows the distinction of the plaque or

1:28

the other objects in the body.

1:32

There is also new possibility of introducing new agent because many new agents have

1:35

been examined, because historically, the only contrast

1:39

agents used in X-rays or CT is barium and iodine.

1:44

With photon-counting CTs, there are other new contrast agents have been

1:48

considered and examined as we are

1:52

watching with the photon-counting CT systems.

1:56

Another major advantage is the metal artifact reduction.

2:00

As you can see here, this is the streak artifact produced by the energy

2:04

detector on the left-hand side.

2:07

On the right-hand side, the same images obtained with the photon-counting

2:11

detector see a dramatic decrease in the particular screw,

2:15

therefore, further enabling the radiologist to do the diagnosis in the right

2:19

way.

2:21

In summary, what we see in the photon-counting

2:24

CT is it will allow for reduced radiation exposure,

2:29

increased spatial resolution, correction of beam hardening artifact,

2:33

and alternate contrast agent protocol while creating

2:36

opportunities for quantitative imaging.