Improving accuracy in multi-pinhole single-photon emission computed tomography

单光子发射计算机断层扫描（SPECT）是一种通常用于临床前和临床的成像方式。它提供了一系列的活体器官功能的非破坏性三维成像，从老鼠到人类的广泛物种。临床前SPECT提高了小动物研究的效率，并用于提高我们对疾病的理解，开发新的诊断测试和治疗方法。然而，对于这些类型的研究，至关重要的是成像数据非常准确和可重复。SPECT在临床上用于诊断和治疗心脏病和癌症等疾病，这是加拿大两种主要的死亡原因。新推出的多针孔相机具有更好的灵敏度和更高的分辨率，可以产生更清晰、更少噪点的图像。然而，针孔准直器产生可变的分辨率，放大倍率和灵敏度在相机的视野。多针孔准直对图像质量（精度和再现性）空间变异性的影响尚未得到评估。此外，需要新的标准化方法来常规测量和评估这些摄像机的工作情况。***我项目的长期目标是提高心脏多针孔SPECT（/CT）成像的定量准确性和精度。我的短期目标是：1)研究可变灵敏度和分辨率对心脏针孔SPECT成像图像质量和病变可检测性的影响，并开发最小化变异性的方法。2)利用精确的散射建模，整合来自光峰和低能量窗的信息，从而提高针孔SPECT图像的信噪比。3)制定性能标准和质量保证技术，以准确测量多针孔SPECT相机的系统模型和性能。******我的实验室的方法是开发和验证先进的图像重建方法，使用分析或蒙特卡罗计算机模拟。我们使用物理幻象实验来评估我们的方法，这些实验引入了真实成像环境的复杂性。最后，我们在动物模型中测试我们的技术，或者在可能和适当的情况下在人类临床数据集上测试我们的技术，以使我们的研究能够在现实世界中转化。******我的实验室为本科生和研究生教育提供了丰富的训练环境。作为CAMPEP认可的渥太华-卡尔顿医学物理联合项目的一部分，学生们与从事各种医学物理项目的其他人进行互动。作为渥太华大学心脏研究所的一部分，学生们也接触到推动该领域研究的医学动机，以及该领域广泛的多学科性质，包括从微生物学到放射化学和组织工程的研究。********

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is an imaging modality that is commonly used both pre-clinically and clinically. It provides serial non-destructive 3D imaging of organ function in living subjects in a wide range of species from mouse to human. Pre-clinical SPECT increases the efficiency of small-animal research and is used to improve our understanding of disease and to develop new diagnostic tests and treatments. However, for these types of studies, it is essential that the imaging data be very accurate and reproducible.***SPECT is used clinically to both diagnose and manage diseases like heart disease and cancer, the two leading causes of death in Canada. Newly introduced multi-pinhole cameras have both better sensitivity and better resolution, producing both clearer and less noisy images. However, pinhole collimators produce variable resolution, magnification, and sensitivity across the camera's field of view. The impact of multi-pinhole collimation on the spatial variability of image quality (accuracy and reproducibility) has not been assessed. In addition, new standardized methods are needed to routinely measure and evaluate how well these cameras are working.***The long-term goal of my program is to improve the quantitative accuracy and precision of imaging with multi-pinhole SPECT(/CT) imaging of the heart. My short-term objectives are: 1) To investigate the impact of variable sensitivity and resolution on image quality and lesion detectability in cardiac pinhole SPECT imaging, and develop methods to minimize the variability. 2) To use accurate scatter modeling to integrate information from the photopeak and lower energy windows, and thereby increase the signal-to-noise ratio of pinhole SPECT images. 3) To develop performance standards and quality assurance techniques to accurately measure the system model and performance of multi-pinhole SPECT cameras.******My lab's methods are to develop and validate advanced image reconstruction methods using analytic or Monte Carlo computer simulations. We evaluate our methods using physical phantom experiments which introduce the complexities of a real imaging environment. Finally, we test our techniques in animal models, or on human clinical data sets where possible and appropriate, to enable real-world translation of our research.******My lab provides a rich training environment for undergraduate and graduate student education. As part of the CAMPEP accredited Ottawa-Carleton joint program in medical physics, students interact with others engaged in a wide variety of medical physics projects. As part of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, students are also exposed to the medical motivation that drives much of this field of research as well as to the broad multi-disciplinary nature of this field with exposure to research from microbiology to radiochemistry and tissue engineering.********