New methodologies in medical PET imaging
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Ruth will work in the area of medical physics and her project will be in the area of positron emission tomography (PET) medical imaging. The project will comprise two related aspects. The first will involve GEANT4 simulation of the PET imaging process and analysis of laboratory PET data obtained with a new Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) based gamma detection system. This is under development in a collaboration between Kromek Ltd and the University of York. The detector system offers significant improvement in efficiency and position reconstruction for photon interactions in the detector over comparable systems. The data obtained will be used to establish a new method for PET imaging utilising previously overlooked aspects of quantum information. The project will also include the further development of simulation software which includes these effects in the modelling of particle interactions in matter. The second aspect of the Ph.D project will also involve carrying out a proof of principle measurement relating to a new idea for the production of PET isotopes using next generation high intensity gamma beams. The key data will be collected at MAMI using an existing prototype cell and the results will be analysed as part of the Ph.D with a view to establishing the feasibility of the new concept.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Daniel Watts (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Ruth Newton (Student) |
Publications
Watts D. P.
(2020)
Photon quantum entanglement in the MeV regime and its application in PET imaging
in arXiv e-prints
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/R513386/1 | 01/10/2018 | 31/12/2023 | |||
| 2107050 | Studentship | EP/R513386/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2021 | Ruth Newton |
| Description | We have setup a state-of-the-art gamma detection system in York based on CZT detector technologies (in collaboration with our industrial partner (Kromek Ltd.) We have shown that significant effects from quantum entanglement are visible in the data obtained with this system. We showed that a new quantum entangled Geant4 simulation is crucial to fully describe PET data. We showed the quantum entanglement enables the scatter and random backgrounds to be quantified and subtracted from PET images, using the quantum entanglement information alone. The results are shown in the arxiv paper referenced in the publications section. This paper is under the final stage of reviews at Nature Comms. We have also setup a new LYSO detector system to prove that this information can be extracted from current hospital PET systems. |
| Exploitation Route | This new method has the potential to be applied to a range of existing PET imaging systems. There are also many applications in industrial imaging. The introduction of entanglement to Geant4 allows fundamental new tests of quantum entanglement at the MeV scale. |
| Sectors | Education,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Security and Diplomacy |
| Description | Invited Presentation at Tastes of Nuclear Physics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk at tastes of nuclear physics, hosted by South African Universities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1vaKmw8kA8 |
| Description | Invited talk at the Nuclear Physics Lockdown Seminars |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk at the UK nuclear physics Lockdown seminars. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://ns.ph.liv.ac.uk/LSdata/video2.html#RuthNewton |
| Description | Talk at IEEE Medical Imaging Conference (MIC) (Dan Watts) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of use of Quantum entanglement in PET imaging at a leading medical imaging conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://nssmic.ieee.org/2020/ |
| Description | Talk at STFC nuclear summer school |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Awarded best talk at the STFC nuclear physics summer school. Sparked a lot of interest in the subject from attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Talk at York Postgraduate Physics Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Won best talk at the York postgraduate physics conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | YouTube outreach video |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Online YouTube video discussing the detail of this project. Part of a wider nuclear masterclass for A-level students. The youtube video has so far received over 2000 views. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwdubwTTNY0 |