Technology Development for Medical Imaging

医学成像在过去的100年里有了很大的发展。这些系统的持续发展，例如，通过压缩传感，多层CT和飞行时间PET，导致了更先进的技术，能够更好地探测人体，以更好地了解疾病。** 我们建议通过持续的技术发展继续研究推进医学成像。虽然同步PET/MR成像是有趣的，但它目前过于昂贵，临床应用有限。相比之下，同步SPECT/MR成像是可以以显著更低的成本具有更大的临床应用的领域。目前，SPECT成像的使用频率比PET成像高约5倍，成本约为PET成像的1/5。此外，虽然PET主要用于肿瘤或神经应用，但SPECT的使用范围更广，包括神经、心脏、肿瘤、泌尿和胃肠应用。我们以前已经开发了一个MR兼容的辐射检测系统，使用CZT探测器。该系统被证明可以在3 T MRI中工作，但需要进一步研究才能将其开发成真正的同步成像系统。我们将改进数据采集系统，以实现高计数率能力，并将进行系统集成和建模工作，努力提供断层成像能力。需要大量的工作来开发适当的图像重建算法。** 我们还在寻求其他成像策略;其中包括一种用于诊断体内血栓的新技术，例如创伤性脑损伤或深静脉血栓形成（DVT）情况下的血肿。TBI或DVT的诊断通常是在患者到急诊室后使用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，该系统能够非侵入性地检测血凝块的存在，并且没有电离辐射。该系统利用光声方法来测量组织中血液的存在。通过利用不同波长的光的光吸收的差异，并通过检测当受到高强度光的短暂脉冲时产生的所得声压波，我们打算在损伤发生后不久诊断血凝块的存在。该工具预期为便携式，由急救人员或家庭医生携带，他们可以使用它来确定现场是否存在凝块。这一点很重要，因为它允许患者在出现症状之前和前往ER的途中接受适当的成像或接受治疗。** 我们乐观地认为，对这些技术进行更多的基础科学研究将继续朝着更好的医疗保健方向发展，并将以更低的成本实现新的诊断应用。

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.**