A*STAR IME, NanoX Company To Develop Sensitive X-Ray Imaging Detector

SINGAPORE, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME) and nanoX Imaging Ltd, a company with its R&D based in Japan, are collaborating to develop a highly sensitive X-ray imaging detector based on field emission detection. Leveraging on its 200mm MEMS process capabilities, IME will develop the process and integration technology to enable the realisation of nanoX Imaging’s device. The success of this project will result in an MEMS imaging detector that requires a small dose of radiation to achieve high quality images with a high gain and low noise. Medical imaging plays an important role in healthcare and disease management. The most widely utilised medical imaging system is the radiography-based X-ray imaging system. In the last two decades, developments in X-ray detector technology, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imagers and thin-film-transistors (TFTs), have allowed healthcare professionals to better diagnose and assess a patient’s condition, leading to improved patient care. One key criterion is to minimise patient’s exposure to radiation as this has adverse effects on the patient’s well-being. However, certain irregularities such as tumour masses are difficult to detect unless subjected to high levels of radiation. Hence, there is an increasing need for detection technology to acquire sharper and higher contrast images at low dosage of radiation. Commenting on the collaboration, A*STAR's IME executive director Professor Dim-Lee Kwong said: “The progress of this semiconductor technology will lead to improved performance metrics in medical imaging systems, such as better image sensing and faster digital signal processing." NanoX Imaging Ltd, chief executive officer, Hitoshi Masuya said: "We sought a good 200mm MEMS foundry over the world and finally came to IME, recognising its capabilities best fit our requirements as we planned for the transition from development to commercialisation. "We appreciate the line-up of advanced facilities and professional expertise at IME and we are confident that that the partnership with IME will be long-standing. In this first collaboration, we look forward to present to the medical industry an ideal solution of an imaging system that will offer high performance at low radiation risks,"he added. -- BERNAMA