Photon Counting CT: Technological Background and Potential in Medical Applications

A prototype spectral CT with photon counting detector (PCD) capabilities was recently installed in the United States to explore the applications, advantages, and feasibility of PCD CT based medical imaging. Initial basic research suggests potential for radiation dose reduction, multi-energy energy and high resolution imaging. We will present the physical concepts of the detector and system design. We illustrate the performance characteristics of the prototype in terms of image quality and present first results from specimen, cadaver and animal scans acquired in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Based on these initial results the clinical potential of the technology will be discussed.