Evaluation of a Diffraction-Enhanced Imaging (DEI) Prototype and Exploration of Novel Applications for Clinical Implementation of DEI

Conventional mammographic image contrast is derived from x-ray absorption, resulting in breast structure visualization due to density gradients that attenuate radiation without distinction between transmitted, scattered, or refracted x-rays. Diffractionenhanced imaging (DEI) allows for increased contrast with decreased radiation dose compared to conventional mammographic imaging due to monochromatic x-rays, its unique refraction-based contrast mechanism, and excellent scatter rejection. Although laboratory breast imaging studies have demonstrated excellent breast imaging, important clinical translation and application studies are needed before the DEI system can be established as a useful breast imaging modality. This dissertation focuses on several important studies toward the development of a clinical DEI system.