Technology Development for Medical Imaging

在过去的100年里，医学成像有了显著的发展。这些系统的持续发展，例如压缩传感、多层CT和飞行时间PET，已经带来了更先进的技术，能够更好地探测人体，从而更好地了解疾病。******我们建议通过持续的技术发展继续研究推进医学成像。虽然同时进行PET/MR成像很有趣，但目前它过于昂贵，临床应用有限。相比之下，同时进行SPECT/MR成像是一个可能以更低的成本有更大临床应用的领域。目前，SPECT成像的使用频率约为PET成像的5倍，成本约为PET成像的1/5。同样，PET主要用于肿瘤学或神经学应用，SPECT有更广泛的应用领域，包括神经学、心脏病学、肿瘤学、泌尿学和胃肠病学应用。******我们之前已经开发了一种使用CZT探测器的mr兼容辐射检测系统。该系统已在3T核磁共振成像中证明有效，但要将其发展成为真正的同步成像系统，还需要进一步的研究。我们将改进数据采集系统以实现高计数率能力，并将在系统集成和建模方面开展工作，以提供层析成像能力。开发合适的图像重建算法需要大量的工作。******我们也在寻求其他成像策略；其中包括一种诊断体内血块的新技术，如创伤性脑损伤或深静脉血栓形成时的血肿。创伤性脑损伤或深静脉血栓的诊断通常是在病人进入急诊室后，通过MRI或CT进行的。为了提供更快速的诊断，我们正在开发一种检测系统，能够无创地检测血凝块的存在，并且不需要电离辐射。该系统利用光声方法来测量组织中血液的存在。通过利用不同波长光的光吸收差异，并通过检测受到高强光短脉冲时产生的声压波，我们打算在损伤发生后不久诊断血栓的存在。该工具的目的是便携式和携带紧急急救人员或家庭医生谁可以使用它来确定现场血栓的存在。这很重要，因为它允许患者在症状出现之前接受适当的成像或治疗，并在前往急诊室的途中。******我们乐观地认为，对这些技术的更多基础科学研究将继续朝着更好的医疗保健发展，并将以更低的成本允许新的诊断应用

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.**