LGD Enters High-Value Medical X-Ray Imaging New Market

Development of the World's First 'Oxide TFT for Digital X-ray Detectors' Using Differentiated Oxide TFT Technology
100 Times Faster Electron Mobility and 10 Times Lower Noise Compared to Existing Technologies
Enables High-Quality Imaging and High-Speed Video for Diagnostic and Surgical X-ray Applications

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] LG Display has selected the high value-added medical imaging business as a future growth sector and is focusing its capabilities on product development and nurturing.

On the 23rd, LG Display announced that it has developed the world's first large-area size (43cm×43cm, 35cm×43cm) 'Digital X-ray Detector (DXD) Oxide TFT' using differentiated oxide thin-film transistor (Oxide TFT) technology, and is entering the medical X-ray imaging market.

The TFT for DXD is a core component of the DXD that converts X-ray imaging results into digital files and transmits them to a PC. Demand is rapidly increasing due to the rise in X-ray imaging for diagnosing COVID-19, monitoring disease progression, and assessing severity.

Existing TFTs for DXD used amorphous silicon (a-Si), which is vulnerable to noise such as afterimages, making it difficult to produce high-quality images for accurate disease diagnosis. Additionally, the slow electron mobility limited their use in surgical X-ray devices that require high-speed video capture.

The large-area medical Oxide TFT developed for the first time in the world by LG Display has 100 times faster electron mobility and 10 times lower noise characteristics compared to conventional a-Si TFTs, enabling high-quality images and high-speed videos. It is evaluated as an optimal TFT for DXD that can be used not only for diagnosis but also for surgical purposes.

In particular, it is explained that it can demonstrate excellent performance even in low-power mobile and portable X-rays frequently used outdoors, such as at COVID-19 screening clinics. The radiation exposure has also been reduced by more than 50% compared to existing devices, minimizing concerns about excessive X-ray radiation exposure, which has recently become an issue.

LG Display plans to actively target the high value-added medical X-ray imaging market by supplying DXD Oxide TFTs to DRTECH, one of the global DXD leading companies, and signing supply contracts with various global DXD companies.

According to global market research firm Omdia, the medical DXD market, valued at $1.95 billion (approximately 2.15 trillion KRW) this year, is expected to grow about 30% to $2.53 billion (approximately 2.8 trillion KRW) in 2024.