AUSTIN, TX, 4 October 2012 – Stellarray, Inc., announced today that it has been awarded a Phase II SBIR grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, to continue development of a new breast cancer imaging system for improving the diagnostic accuracy of mammograms. This stationary digital breast tomosynthesis system (DBTS) is based on Stellarray’s digitally addressable X-ray source (DAXS) and enables 3D imaging of the breast with no moving parts or motion blurring. 3D imaging can reduce the number of false positive or negative readings by better resolving overlapping tissue types. DBTS will also require less compression of the breast, which will make mammograms more comfortable and encourage more women to get them.
Dr. Mark Lucente, Stellarray’s Vice President of Imaging Systems, will lead the project. Dr. Lucente joined Stellarray last year and was previously chief scientist of dynamic holography and Director of Display Products at Zebra Imaging, Inc. He earned his doctorate at MIT and has held research positions at the MIT Media Lab, the MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center. The Digital Imaging Research Laboratory at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is Stellarray’s partner on this project.
The DAXS panels emit x-rays from x-ray pixel (xel) locations on a wide anode plate when struck by electron beams from corresponding locations on cathode array plate. The cathodes in the array are formed of cold cathodes using Stellarray's proprietary thin film carbon emitters. Addressing of the xels can be sequential, to replicate the movement of a tube on a gantry, multiply sequential, or in various parallel configurations. Mark Eaton, Stellarray’s President and CEO, said “This Phase II project will build on our success in developing the cathode, panel fabrication and control system technologies to make high-performance digital x-ray sources. We are motivated by this opportunity to advance medical imaging and make a contribution to women’s health.”
Stellarray develops and produces flat panel radiation sources and systems using them. The company’s first product is a self-contained blood irradiator (SCBI) for ensuring the safety of transfusion blood supplies without the use of dangerous radioactive isotopes. SCBI uses a simpler version of the company’s flat panel x-ray sources and has been developed with support from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute of NIH. For further information please contact Mark Eaton at (512) 997-7781 or eaton@stellar-micro.com.