Technology Development for Medical Imaging

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Medical imaging has evolved significantly over the past 100 years. Continued development of these systems through, for example, compressed sensing, multi-slice CT, and time-of-flight PET, has led to more advanced techniques able to better probe the human body in an effort to better understand disease. We propose to continue research into advancing medical imaging through continued technological developments. While simultaneous PET/MR imaging is intriguing, it is currently an prohibitively expensive, with limited clinical applications. In contrast, simultaneous SPECT/MR imaging is an area that may have far greater clinical application at significantly lower cost. Presently, SPECT imaging is used approximately 5x more often than PET imaging at approximately 1/5th the cost. As well, while PET is used principally for oncologic or neurological applications, SPECT has a much wider area of use, including neurologic, cardiologic, oncologic, urologic and gastro-enterologic applications.We have previously developed an MR-compatible radiation detection system using CZT detectors. This system was shown to work in a 3T MRI but further research is necessary to develop this into a true simultaneous imaging system. We will improve the data acquisition system to enable high count-rate capability and will perform work on systems integration and modeling in an effort to provide tomographic imaging capability. Significant work is needed into development of appropriate image reconstruction algorithms. We are also pursuing other imaging strategies; among these is a novel technique for the diagnosis of blood clots in vivo, such as hematomas in the case of traumatic brain injury or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The diagnosis of TBI or DVT is often made after a patient presents to an Emergency Room, using MRI or CT. In order to provide a more rapid diagnosis, we are developing a detection system that is able to detect the presence of blood clots non-invasively and without ionizing radiation. This system utilizes the photoacoustic method in order to measure the presence of blood in tissue. By exploiting differences in the photo-absorption of light at different wavelengths and by detecting the resultant acoustic pressure wave produced when subjected to a brief pulse of highly intense light, we intend to diagnose the presence of blood clots soon after the onset of injury. This tool is intended to be portable and carried by emergency first responders or family practitioners who can use it to determine the presence of clots on site. This is important as it allows the patient to directed to appropriate imaging or to receive treatment prior to appearance of symptoms and enroute to the ER. We are optimistic that additional basic science research into these technologies will continue the trend towards better healthcare and will permit new diagnostic applications at reduced cost.