Novel PET imaging
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The work has the potential to produce significant improvements in the quality of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. 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 alzheimers.This would allow smaller clinical features to be seen, permit earlier and more reliable diagnosis of disease and disease progression.
We have developed a new technique which will improve the sharpness and contrast of the PET image. There will be significant costs benefits to this approach. Better imaging will lead to more appropriate treatment, resulting in fewer futile surgical interventions and improved therapy choices of 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
We will work closely with Clinicians and PET physicists in our new Clinical Research Imaging Centre (CRIC) situated at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Our new technique is a spin off from STFC funded research for fundamental nuclear physics.
We have developed a new technique which will improve the sharpness and contrast of the PET image. There will be significant costs benefits to this approach. Better imaging will lead to more appropriate treatment, resulting in fewer futile surgical interventions and improved therapy choices of 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
We will work closely with Clinicians and PET physicists in our new Clinical Research Imaging Centre (CRIC) situated at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Our new technique is a spin off from STFC funded research for fundamental nuclear physics.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Daniel Watts (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | We carried out research and development for a new idea to improve PET medical imaging. We have engaged with clinicians and medical imaging companies to develop the idea. We provided new computer simulations based on current PET machine geometries and readout. We also produced bench test data using a small PET demonstrator module to validate our new imaging concept and further develop its implementation. The concept formed the basis for subsequent succesful InnovateUK grant application with industrial partner (Kromek) to commercialise |
| Exploitation Route | The work will be submitted for a patent. The idea may be incorporated into future PET imaging systems. We are applying for further funding for this stage and will collaborate with a PET machine manufacturer. Patent successfully awarded. Further funding awarded from Innovate UK to work with Kromek LtD to commercialise the idea |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | The results obtained formed the basis for a patent application. The patent has now been filed TEC1102685 PCT from GB1422144.4 The idea has been taken up by a company (Kromek Ltd) to commercialise using InnovateUK funding. This award started January 2017 and will run for two years |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Education,Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Innovate UK |
| Amount | £832,655 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/P034276/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2017 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | Proof of principle fund. |
| Amount | £20,410 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MKT14/1523/TEC1102685 |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2014 |
| End | 02/2015 |
| 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 | PET imaging |
| Organisation | Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | We proposed a new method to improve the quality of PET imaging. Our group carried out simulations and experimental studies to establish the new concept. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Information on operation and data analysis from PET machines. Access to PET data sets. Input on clinical issues. Recent collaboration with Electrical Engineering department to test the concept on the latest SPADnet sensors. Similar light sensor designs to be rolled out on future PET machines. |
| Impact | Patent application being filed. Publication in preparation, to be submitted once the patent has been filed. The research is Multi-disciplinary incorporating Physicists, engineers and clinicians. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | PET imaging |
| Organisation | Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | We proposed a new method to improve the quality of PET imaging. Our group carried out simulations and experimental studies to establish the new concept. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Information on operation and data analysis from PET machines. Access to PET data sets. Input on clinical issues. Recent collaboration with Electrical Engineering department to test the concept on the latest SPADnet sensors. Similar light sensor designs to be rolled out on future PET machines. |
| Impact | Patent application being filed. Publication in preparation, to be submitted once the patent has been filed. The research is Multi-disciplinary incorporating Physicists, engineers and clinicians. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | PET imaging |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | Electrical Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We proposed a new method to improve the quality of PET imaging. Our group carried out simulations and experimental studies to establish the new concept. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Information on operation and data analysis from PET machines. Access to PET data sets. Input on clinical issues. Recent collaboration with Electrical Engineering department to test the concept on the latest SPADnet sensors. Similar light sensor designs to be rolled out on future PET machines. |
| Impact | Patent application being filed. Publication in preparation, to be submitted once the patent has been filed. The research is Multi-disciplinary incorporating Physicists, engineers and clinicians. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| 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 granted |
| 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. |
| 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. |