Multimodal X-ray Techniques for Dynamic and Quantitative Imaging of the Lungs

Currently, X-ray images rely on differences in the attenuation properties of materials for image contrast. Since soft tissues all have similar attenuation properties, conventional X-ray imaging provides poor contrast of soft tissue disease. Lung diseases, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, cannot be readily visualised. This thesis presents techniques that exploit other contrast mechanisms, namely refraction and diffusion, that can be measured from a single X-ray exposure. When used in combination with attenuation, this approach provides a multimodal method for imaging lung disease, even during dynamic processes such as breathing.