HETEROSTRUCTURE RADIATION DETECTOR MATERIALS FOR ADVANCED TIME OF FLIGHT POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY (TOF-PET) IMAGING

该建议旨在利用高性能多材料辐射传感异质结的新概念，开发用于正电子发射断层成像(ToF-PET)成像的先进辐射探测器材料。这些异质结构将有助于开发用于诊断、监测和治疗应用的下一代成像技术，特别是通过大幅提高ToF-PET技术的能力。这些异质结构将使1)增强诊断能力；2)降低患者的风险(剂量效率)；3)增加程序灵活性(即计划辐射剂量策略和减少检查时间)；以及最终4)通过使目前耗时的采集后重建阶段过时而直接进行TOF-PET成像。这一努力将得到异质结构设计、制造和表征的多学科促进，以开发用于当前和未来ToF-PET探测器模块的先进探测器材料解决方案。通过对拟议的异质结构探测器模块进行功能测试，将最大限度地提高研究的产出和影响。该建议与EPSRC的医疗保健技术研究主题相匹配，通过i)通过有效的诊断、针对患者的预测和循证干预来优化治疗和护理；ii)支持技术的开发，以提高疗效、将成本降至最低并降低患者的风险；以及iii)汇集具有材料科学、精密工程和仪器专业知识的多学科团队，他们将得到外部顾问、TOF-PET专家和行业合作伙伴的进一步支持，以提供指导并确保拟议工作的转型影响。

This proposal aims at developing advanced radiation detector materials for Time of Flight Positron Emission Tomography (ToF-PET) imaging by exploiting the novel concept of high performance multi-material radiation sensing heterostructures. These heterostructures will contribute to the development of next generation imaging technologies for diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic applications, specifically, by substantially improving the capabilities of ToF-PET technology. These heterostructures will enable i) enhanced diagnostic power; ii) reduced risk to patients (dose efficiency); iii) increased procedural flexibility (i.e. planning of radiation dose strategies and reduced examination time); and eventually iv) direct ToF-PET imaging by rendering the currently time-consuming post-acquisition reconstruction stage obsolete. This effort will be supported by multi-disciplinary facilitation of the design, fabrication and characterisation of the heterostructures, in order to develop an advanced detector material solution for use in current and future ToF-PET detector modules. The output and impact of the research will be maximised through functional testing of the proposed heterostructure detector module. The proposal matches the aspirations of the EPSRC's Healthcare Technologies research theme by i) optimising treatment and care through effective diagnosis, patient-specific prediction and evidence-based intervention; ii) supporting the development of technologies to enhance efficacy, minimise costs and reduce risk to patients; and iii) bringing together a multidisciplinary team with expertise in material science, precision engineering and instrumentation, who will be further supported by external advisors, ToF-PET experts and industrial partners for providing guidance and ensuring the transformational impact of the proposed effort.