High Performance Detectors for SPECT

描述(申请人提供)：SPECT的高性能探测器P.I.：Michael R.Squillante博士摘要单光子发射计算机断层扫描(SPECT)是一种强大的、非侵入性的医学成像方式，它从数学上重建放射性核素在人类患者或研究动物体内的三维分布。通常，收集的数据通过被调查的器官或病变区域以一组二维图像的形式显示和评估。SPECT可以对研究区域的功能进行定量研究，因此是了解器官和组织生理学(包括心脏生理学)的非常有用的工具。SPECT非常普遍地用于识别和定位冠状动脉疾病，目前多达90%的心肌灌注研究是使用SPECT进行的。因此，SPECT在心脏成像中发挥着关键作用，既能提供诊断，也能提供预后。然而，迫切需要改进目前用于这一成像方式的仪器，并扩大其能力，以便充分发挥其潜力。目前，SPECT系统的性能往往受到这些系统所使用的探测器的限制。现代SPECT系统由耦合到光电倍增管作为探测器的闪烁晶体组成。SPECT应用中对闪烁体的重要要求包括高光输出和高能量分辨率、合理的快速响应和高伽马射线阻止效率。理想情况下，闪烁体还应该是廉价、坚固和易于制造的。目前，NaI(Tl)是SPECT系统中的首选探测器，它相对便宜，光输出相当大。然而，NaI(Tl)较差的能量分辨率往往限制了SPECT的性能。NaI：Tl的能量分辨率因其相对较差的比例而受到限制。如果在典型的SPECT能量(~140keV)下有较高能量分辨率的闪烁体可用，则散射抑制的基本过程将得到改善。这项拟议工作的目标是为SPECT研究开发新的高分辨率探测器。新的探测器预计会增强散射抑制，预计它们也会相对容易制造。第一阶段项目将旨在证明拟议概念的可行性，而第二阶段项目将旨在优化新探测器、实施原型模块和详细的性能评估。公共卫生相关性：SPECT的高性能探测器P.I.：Michael R.Squillante博士项目叙述-拟议的研究将调查一种前景光明的探测器技术，该技术将在医疗保健方面产生重大影响，特别是在开发用于活体成像的探测器方面。这项研究可能有益的其他领域包括：物理研究、材料研究、国土防御和无损检测。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): High Performance Detectors for SPECT P.I.: Dr. Michael R. Squillante Abstract Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a powerful, noninvasive medical imaging modality that mathematically reconstructs the three dimensional distribution of a radionuclide throughout the body of a human patient or a research animal. Typically, the collected data are displayed and evaluated as a set of two-dimensional images through the organ or diseased area under investigation. SPECT allows quantitative study of the function in the investigated region and therefore is an extremely useful tool for understanding organ and tissue physiology including that in the heart. SPECT is very commonly used in identifying as well as localizing coronary artery disease and as many as 90% of all myocardial perfusion studies are now performed using SPECT. Thus, SPECT is playing a critical role in cardiac imaging, providing both diagnosis as well as prognosis. However, there is urgent need for improvement in the instrumentation that is currently used for this imaging modality and expand its capabilities in order to exploit its full potential. At present, the performance of SPECT systems often is limited by the detectors used in these systems. Modern SPECT systems consist of scintillation crystals coupled to photomultiplier tubes as detectors. Important requirements for scintillators used in SPECT applications include high light output and high energy resolution, reasonably fast response and high gamma ray stopping efficiency. Ideally, the scintillator should also be inexpensive, rugged and easy to manufacture. Currently, NaI(Tl) is the detector of choice in SPECT systems and it is relatively inexpensive and its light output is fairly large. However, the poor energy resolution of NaI(Tl) often limits SPECT performance. The energy resolution of NaI:Tl is limited by its relatively poor proportionality. If scintillators with higher energy resolution at typical SPECT energies (~140 keV) were available, the essential process of scatter rejection would improve. The goal of the proposed effort is to investigate new high resolution detectors for SPECT studies. Enhanced scatter rejection can be expected from the new detectors, which are also expected to be relatively easy to produce. The Phase I project will be aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed concept, while the Phase II project will be aimed at optimization of the new detectors, implementation of the prototype modules and detailed performance evaluation. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: High Performance Detectors for SPECT P.I.: Dr. Michael R. Squillante Project Narrative - The proposed research will investigate a promising detector technology which should have a major impact in health care, in particular, in the development of detectors for in-vivo imaging. Other areas to which this research could be of benefit are: physics research, materials studies, homeland defense, and non-destructive testing.