Rapid determination of organ microstructure and vasculature via advanced x-ray micro-CT
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Department Name: Medical Physics and Biomedical Eng
Abstract
1) Description of the context of the research
This project will use novel x-ray technology, novel x-ray detectors and novel image sensing mechanisms, ultimately providing a new type of 3D x-ray images with higher resolution, exquisite soft-tissue contrast and the ability to extract functional information through targeted use of imaging markers which will be correlated in real time with the surrounding anatomical information.
The growth of micro-CT over the last decade has been impressive, both in terms of user base and companies dedicated to micro-CT development. Exponential growth notwithstanding, innovation in micro-CT has only seen minor technical improvements; in other words, the above growth has been driven purely by user demand, rather than by new capabilities offered by the technology.
As one of the world leading x-ray imaging groups, AXIm (Advanced X-Ray Imaging) sees a massive opportunity in the untapped developments coming from the cutting-edge x-ray science carried out at world-leading facilities such as synchrotrons and free-electron lasers.
These developments include methods based on detecting phase changes, rather than the attenuation of x-rays, which leads to exquisite soft-tissue contrast; energy-sensitive x-ray detectors which, by detecting the energy of x-rays alongside their presence, enable a transition similar to that from black and white to colour TV, delivering x-ray beams with superior characteristics. AXIm has developed its own proprietary phase-sensitive technology, and has access to virtually all cutting-edge detector and source technologies: this project will combine all these advances to achieve a step-change in micro-CT.
2) Aims and Objectives
The objectives of this project are to optimise all new elements of the "micro-CT 2.0" individually, combine them in an optimally integrated fashion, apply them to significant biomedical problems and assess the improvements over existing technology.
1) Optimised energy-sensitive x-ray detection: test available energy-resolved detector technology and select the best one for our purposes
2) Match detector technology to source technology - test selected detector with different x-ray beam characteristics and optimise acquisition parameters as a result
3) Optimise acquisition modality and spatial resolution - select optimal phase-based imaging method and couple it with resolution enhancement scheme.
4) Identify 2-3 key biomedical areas - initial emphasis on the thymus but additional areas will be explored e.g. cancer
5) Quantitatively assess advantages over existing technology.
3) Novelty of Research Methodology
This will revolutionise the use of micro-CT in biomedical research as it will allow studies that are currently impossible. Biomedical research is largely based on optical microscopy methods which have limited penetration depth and field of view; the outcome of this research will allow extracting the same information from entire organs in a truly three-dimensional fashion. It will be picked up by academic and industrial communities alike, leading to next-generation CT scans and ultimately to in vivo translation.
4) Alignment to EPSRC's research areas
The physical and mathematical sciences powerhouse - we'll develop radically new approaches to imaging and image analysis
Frontiers in engineering and technology - we will create a step change in imaging technology
Transforming health and healthcare - application of the above technology will have significant impact on health and healthcare
Ensuring an effective ecosystem for engineering and physical sciences - we foster collaboration between researchers from the life & physical sciences
5) Any companies or collaborators involved
The main industrial collaborator is Nikon, other collaborators are the Crick Institute and the Institute of Child Health.
This project will use novel x-ray technology, novel x-ray detectors and novel image sensing mechanisms, ultimately providing a new type of 3D x-ray images with higher resolution, exquisite soft-tissue contrast and the ability to extract functional information through targeted use of imaging markers which will be correlated in real time with the surrounding anatomical information.
The growth of micro-CT over the last decade has been impressive, both in terms of user base and companies dedicated to micro-CT development. Exponential growth notwithstanding, innovation in micro-CT has only seen minor technical improvements; in other words, the above growth has been driven purely by user demand, rather than by new capabilities offered by the technology.
As one of the world leading x-ray imaging groups, AXIm (Advanced X-Ray Imaging) sees a massive opportunity in the untapped developments coming from the cutting-edge x-ray science carried out at world-leading facilities such as synchrotrons and free-electron lasers.
These developments include methods based on detecting phase changes, rather than the attenuation of x-rays, which leads to exquisite soft-tissue contrast; energy-sensitive x-ray detectors which, by detecting the energy of x-rays alongside their presence, enable a transition similar to that from black and white to colour TV, delivering x-ray beams with superior characteristics. AXIm has developed its own proprietary phase-sensitive technology, and has access to virtually all cutting-edge detector and source technologies: this project will combine all these advances to achieve a step-change in micro-CT.
2) Aims and Objectives
The objectives of this project are to optimise all new elements of the "micro-CT 2.0" individually, combine them in an optimally integrated fashion, apply them to significant biomedical problems and assess the improvements over existing technology.
1) Optimised energy-sensitive x-ray detection: test available energy-resolved detector technology and select the best one for our purposes
2) Match detector technology to source technology - test selected detector with different x-ray beam characteristics and optimise acquisition parameters as a result
3) Optimise acquisition modality and spatial resolution - select optimal phase-based imaging method and couple it with resolution enhancement scheme.
4) Identify 2-3 key biomedical areas - initial emphasis on the thymus but additional areas will be explored e.g. cancer
5) Quantitatively assess advantages over existing technology.
3) Novelty of Research Methodology
This will revolutionise the use of micro-CT in biomedical research as it will allow studies that are currently impossible. Biomedical research is largely based on optical microscopy methods which have limited penetration depth and field of view; the outcome of this research will allow extracting the same information from entire organs in a truly three-dimensional fashion. It will be picked up by academic and industrial communities alike, leading to next-generation CT scans and ultimately to in vivo translation.
4) Alignment to EPSRC's research areas
The physical and mathematical sciences powerhouse - we'll develop radically new approaches to imaging and image analysis
Frontiers in engineering and technology - we will create a step change in imaging technology
Transforming health and healthcare - application of the above technology will have significant impact on health and healthcare
Ensuring an effective ecosystem for engineering and physical sciences - we foster collaboration between researchers from the life & physical sciences
5) Any companies or collaborators involved
The main industrial collaborator is Nikon, other collaborators are the Crick Institute and the Institute of Child Health.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Yunzhe Li (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/S021930/1 | 30/09/2019 | 30/03/2028 | |||
| 2876043 | Studentship | EP/S021930/1 | 30/09/2023 | 29/09/2027 | Yunzhe Li |