Quantum Entanglement Tomography for enhanced medical imaging

Lead Research Organisation: University of York
Department Name: Physics

Abstract

This project will enable the commercialisation of a new concept for positron imaging which utilises quantum entanglement - Quantum Entanglement Tomography (QET). The work will fund a new collaboration between the University of Edinburgh (UoE) and Kromek, one of the leading UK based manufacturers of particle detector products. The new collaboration has the potential to enable new high-quality and low-cost PET imaging detectors.

In PET imaging a patient is injected with sugar containing a radioactive atom, usually a flourine atom. When this atom decays 2 photons are emitted which come out in opposite directions back-to-back. By detecting many of these 2 photon events an image of the source can be reconstucted. PET imaging is used for many important clinical diagnoses such as identifying cancerous tissue and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.

We (UoE) have developed and patented a new technique (QET) which will improve upon the sharpness and contrast of the PET image using quantum information. There will be significant cost benefits in adopting this approach. Better imaging will lead to more appropriate treatment, resulting in fewer futile surgical interventions and improved therapy choices for the increasingly expensive chemotherapies applied by oncologists. Apart from oncology applications, there is an increasing use of PET imaging in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. This technical developments in this project would allow smaller and weaker clinical features to be seen, permitting earlier and more reliable diagnosis of disease and disease progression.

The new quantum-information based medical imaging method will be commercialised with the CZT based detector systems developed by Kromek. These state-of-the-art photon detectors have close to ideal detection characteristics to accurately determine and exploit this quantum information.

Planned Impact

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging is currently the fastest growing modality of medical imaging in both the US and Europe, with the number of patients using PET scans increasing by 21% per year between 2005 and 2010. To meet this growing demand, worldwide sales of PET scanners are expected to increase from $781M in 2010 to $1.7B by 2018. Three of the targeted areas for improvements of PET scanners are improved image quality, reduced scanning times and reduced radiation dose to the patient. We propose a technique based on QET, utilising the quantum entanglement of the two photons. Our solution provides a novel method with increased signal:noise ratio over PET, proving a method to improve the image quality in reduced time and dose. A feasibility study by UoE has proved the concept of the technology, and led to an initial patent. The work also evaluated performance criteria which any detection system would need to meet to create a commercial system. Kromek's cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) semiconductor detectors are the current leading detector technology to achieve this and commercialise the new method. The collaboration between Kromek and UoE has the potential to create new technology and analysis methods which will lead to higher quality and lower cost PET scanners.

The improved imaging capabilities will lead to better diagnosis, including smaller cancers being detected, lower false alarms, better localisation for planning. These will lead to reduced misdiagnosis and follow-up costs, reduced treatment costs (e.g. diagnosis of breast cancer, before they present symptomatically can reduce treatment costs by 20-40%), reduced anxiety and increased health. The radiation dose required for a QET scan will be smaller than PET, giving health and environmental benefits (with lower amounts of radiotracer production required). This reduction can also lead to faster scan times, opening up new functional scanning possibilities for the technique.

Publications

10 25 50
 
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 GEant 4 simulation is crucial to 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. The paper is underf inal stage of reviews at Nature Comms
Exploitation Route The new method has the potential to be applied to a range of PET imaging systems. There are many applications in industrial imaging e.g. deep PET

The entangled simulation underpin new and fundamental tests of quantum entanglement at the MeV scale. These efforts are in development.
Sectors Education

Healthcare

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology

Security and Diplomacy

 
Description Disseminated to general public through university web pages and press releases e.g https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/news/departmentalnews/2021/spooky-quantum-entanglement-pet-imaging/ The project is ongoing and has led to collaboration with leading PET centres in the UK (Hull, KCL) and Europe (Groningen). New possibilities are being explored for implementation of quantum-entangled PET in next generation systems. The project seeded the development of quantum entangled simulation software for PET simulation which is now used extensively in the medical physics community. The accuracy of such simulation is improved even when applied to standard PET methods. Recently this has been extended to include entanglement in higher order processes which will improve modelling of multiple scatter backgrounds in PET. The developments seeded a new area of pure research - using positron annihilation photons to challenge our fundamental understanding of entanglement and decoherence at the MeV scale - which brought together a wide collaboration of scientists across quantum, nuclear and mathematical fields.
First Year Of Impact 2018
Impact Types Societal

 
Description Invited onto STFC cancer diagnosis network steering committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
URL https://sites.google.com/view/stfccancerdiagnosis
 
Description Facilitating impact from MeV scale quantum entanglement
Amount £41,387 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2021 
End 04/2022
 
Description Internal funding call - Quantum metrology
Amount £110,000 (GBP)
Organisation National Physical Laboratory 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2021 
End 04/2022
 
Description Novel methodologies and apparatus for tissue sensitive prompt gamma-ray imaging in proton therapy
Amount £39,609 (GBP)
Organisation University of York 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2018 
End 09/2019
 
Description PhD studentship
Amount £70,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of York 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2018 
End 11/2021
 
Description STFC impact accelerator account
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2019 
End 03/2020
 
Title GEANT4 particle simulation software development 
Description As part of this project a methodology for implementing quantum entanglement effect have been included in the GEANT4 simulation package. This software package is used extensively in modelling for medical physics, astrophysics, particle physics nuclear physics and plasma physics. The software is open source and following the project this advance will be available as part of a future release. The new software was used for student projects with Universities in developing countries (e.g. University of Zululans, SA) under an STFC GCRF award (Mandela project PI's Jenkins, Watts) In 2024 the simulation has been extended to include entanglement in 3-photon interactions (using a model and a theory developed in York). This has been tested against data and will be released with future Geant4 releases in 2025. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The inclusion of quantum entanglement will affect the simulation of all PET systems. Although directly exploited as a methodology in this project, the effects of entanglement will also enable more accurate simulations of all standard PET imaging machines. 
 
Description Collaboration with Kromek Ltd 
Organisation Kromek Group plc
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We setup a collaboration with industrial partners based on the outcomes of this grant. This led to a successful application to InnovateUK to commercialise the outcomes of the research funded in this work.
Collaborator Contribution They provide state of the art CZT photon detection systems and staff
Impact Succesful Innovate UK grant application under the quantum technologies call. Multidisciplinary including nuclear physics, detector physics, medical physics and imaging.
Start Year 2016
 
Description Collaboration with leading PET research centres 
Organisation University of Hull
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Hull PET reserach centre has joined with our programme on quantum-entangled PET imaging. The medical imaging colleagues have collaborated on the medical imaging aspects for the next stages of the project, advising on suitable algorithms and involved in discussions about how best to include the quantum entanglement in the imaging. We are now collaborating with the Hull PET research centre to achieve the first measurements of entangled-PET imaging in tissue (our proof-of-principle used a laboratory source). [ measurements now complete and publication in preparation].
Collaborator Contribution Expertise on PET medical imaging. Suitable medical research facilities for follow on to project using the new detectors and methods for real biological imaging. in 2023 a collaboration with the Groningen PET research centre (Prof Tsoumpas) has emerged, where we have the potential to access the raw data from the latest Siemens full body PET systems. Also a new collaboration with Prof Archibald at KCL, London will add access to Mollicubes small animal PET systems A Eureka network grant application is in preparation to underpin this broader collaboration in entangled PET imaging.
Impact Collaboration is multidisciplinary. Involving Chemistry, medicine and physics.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Hull York medical school - PET research centre 
Organisation University of Hull
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Setup of gamma detector systems at Hull PET research centre
Collaborator Contribution Provided in tissue PET sources from Hull cyclotron and prep facilities
Impact in tissue PET data obtained using York gamma detection stystem. Under analysis
Start Year 2021
 
Description National Physical Laboratory 
Organisation National Physical Laboratory
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Setup gamma detector system at NPL. Obtained data under analysis
Collaborator Contribution Hosted the measurement. Provided activated 18F positron sources. Carried out precision survey of location of the detector systems.
Impact Data obtained
Start Year 2021
 
Title A METHOD OF, AND APPARATUS FOR, PROCESSING POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY DATA 
Description A method of, and apparatus for, processing positron emission tomography data A positron emission tomography (PET) data processing method comprises obtaining PET data from a PET detector, wherein the PET detector comprises an array of scintillator elements, and wherein the PET data is representative of a PET measurement of at least part of a subject. The method comprises identifying in the PET data a plurality of paired events, wherein each paired event comprises a first photon event in a first region of the PET detector and a second photon event in a second region of the PET detector. The first photon event comprises an energy deposition in a first scintillator element of the array due to a scattering of a first photon at a first azimuthal scattering angle and an associated energy deposition by the scattered first photon in a second scintillator element of the array. The second photon event comprises an energy deposition in a third scintillator element of the array due to a scattering of a second photon at a second azimuthal scattering angle and an associated energy deposition by the scattered second photon in a fourth scintillator element of the array. The method further comprises processing the PET data in dependence on the first and second azimuthal scattering angles for the paired events. 
IP Reference WO2016092314 
Protection Patent / Patent application
Year Protection Granted 2016
Licensed No
Impact Currently being developed for commercialisation with InnovateUK grant. The original IP was developed during the period of this award. Kromek agreed to fund the patent costs. We are in the process of potentially garnering additional new IP relating to the work carried out in this award. The patent will be passed to University of York for future servicing in 2024. Previously it was held by Edinburgh where the grant was awarded and patent made. However our reserach group moved to York during the project.
 
Title Quantum entanglement in GEANT4 particle simulation package 
Description We developed in collaboration with University of Manchester the first implementation of quantum entanglement into the GEANT4 software. This is currently in use in our InnovateUK programme, but as it is developed as part of the GEANT4 package it will eventually be open source and available to all GEANT4 users. The package was improved and finalised in late 2017 
Type Of Technology Software 
Year Produced 2017 
Open Source License? Yes  
Impact The software allows the effects and benefits of quantum entanglement to be explored in PET imaging. Th initial studies were done using an earlier STFC follow on fund award. This has now been developed to a better standard using the innovateUK support. 
 
Description Better PET images with quantum entanglement 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Presentation as part of the binding blocks outreach initiative.

https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/

Dedicated podcast regarding this project delivered as part of the iniitiative
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwdubwTTNY0
 
Description Invited presentation at tastes of Nuclear Physics (Newton) 
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=Z5ubo5KOdvI
 
Description Presentation at tastes of nuclear physics (Watts) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Invited presentation at international conference in collaboration - hosted by South African Universities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1vaKmw8kA8
 
Description Talk at IEEE Medical imaging conference (MIC), Boston (Virtual) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Presentation on the subject of the grant at a leading international medical imaging conference.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://nssmic.ieee.org/2020/