Calibrated Methods for Quantitative PET/CT Imaging

描述(由申请人提供)：该STTR项目的总体目标是开发校准的3D定量分析工具，以直接支持使用PET/CT成像的临床试验中提高定量准确性。袖珍体模技术将扩展到对每个患者的PET/CT扫描进行特征化、质量保证和改进测量。我们将扩展由Kitware开发的第二代CT“袖珍体模”，以包括由华盛顿大学(UW)开发的基于美国国家标准与技术研究所(NIST)可追踪校准源的PET扫描仪校准过程。我们还将扩展自动化算法来检测和测量模型，并计算关键的PET图像特征。在SBIR的第一阶段，我们将展示我们方法的可行性，并确定进一步开发PET/CT质量保证系统所需的组件。第二阶段项目将进行一项大型临床研究，并完成所有必要的工作，向市场销售PET/CT校准和测量模型以及分析服务。这项提案是Kitware公司和华盛顿大学成像研究实验室的合作伙伴关系。Kitware是定量医学成像算法开发以及开源成像软件(如VTK、ITK、ParaView)创建和支持领域的领先者。Kitware已经成功地开发和部署了CT袖珍模体，以表征CT采集的基本成像特征。华盛顿大学的团队在PET/CT成像方面拥有丰富的经验，并参与了研究原型PET/CT扫描仪的开发，以及使用NIST可追溯源建立PET扫描仪校准方法。研究的具体目的是：1.研制一种基于长寿命68-Ge源与NIST可溯源剂量校准源交叉校准的PET/CT袖珍体模。2.开发了袖珍体模自动检测和68-Ge源测量算法。后者将评估基本的PET/CT扫描仪校准和分辨率属性，这些属性可用于测量和降低PET/CT测量的可变性。3.结合真实成像场景中的体模检测和测量方法，评估PET/CT袖珍体模的性能。 公共卫生相关性：该项目的目标是开发一种PET/CT袖珍体模和自动分析软件，用于扫描特定的PET/CT成像特征、质量保证，并改进定量测量。所提出的方法有可能显著改善PET/CT临床试验中的图像质量和定量测量。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall goal of this STTR project is to develop calibrated 3D quantitative analysis tools that directly support improved quantitative accuracy in clinical trials using PET/CT imaging. Pocket phantom technology will be extended to characterize, perform quality assurance, and improve measurement of PET/CT scans on a per-patient scan basis. We will extend a 2nd generation CT 'pocket phantom', developed by Kitware, to include a PET scanner calibration process, developed by the University of Washington (UW) that is based on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable calibration sources. We will also extend automated algorithms to detect and measure the phantom, and calculate key PET image characteristics. During the Phase I of this SBIR we will demonstrate the feasibility of our approach and identify the components needed to further develop the PET/CT quality assurance system. The Phase II project will conduct a large clinical study and complete all necessary work to market and sell PET/CT calibration and measurement phantoms and analysis services. This proposal is a partnership between Kitware, Inc. and the Imaging Research Laboratory at the University of Washington. Kitware is a leader in quantitative medical imaging algorithm development and the creation and support of open-source imaging software (e.g. VTK, ITK, ParaView). Kitware has successfully developed and deployed CT pocket phantoms to characterize the fundamental imaging characteristics of CT acquisitions. The University of Washington team has extensive experience in PET/CT imaging and participated in the development of the research prototype PET/CT scanner as well as establishment of the PET scanner calibration method using NIST-traceable sources. The specific aims of the research are to: 1. Develop a PET/CT pocket phantom based on a long-lived 68-Ge source with cross calibration to an NIST-traceable dose calibrator source. 2. Develop automated pocket phantom detection and 68-Ge source measurement algorithms. The latter will estimate fundamental PET/CT scanner calibration and resolution properties that can be used to both measure and reduce the variability of PET/CT measurements. 3. Evaluate the performance of the PET/CT pocket phantom in conjunction with the phantom detection and measurement methods in realistic imaging scenarios. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The goal of this project is to develop a PET/CT pocket phantom and automated analysis software for scan specific PET/CT imaging characterization, quality assurance, and to improve quantitative measurements. The proposed methods have the potential to significantly improve image quality and quantitative measurements in PET/CT clinical trials.