Working in collaboration with the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Daresbury Laboratory, researchers are hoping to develop the next generation of medical imaging technologies for the improved detection and treatment of cancer.
“It will be possible to fit this SPECT system retrospectively to MRI scanners across the UK”
The work, which is being done under the title Project ProSPECTus, will be based on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging – a technique that detects gamma rays emitted from a small amount of a radioactive pharmaceutical injected into the body.
Conventionally, an ’Anger Camera’ is used to do this. This camera relies on a collimator to filter some of the gamma rays through and to build a picture of the inner biological process of the patient.
However, ProSPECTus has taken a different approach by using what is known as the ’Compton Camera’. This identifies the origin of the gamma rays without the use of a collimator, resulting in much less radiation being emitted during the process.
Dr Andy Boston, project spokesperson for Liverpool University, said that, because the radiation is used more efficiently, the sensitivity of the camera is improved, allowing the dose of radiation administered to the patient to be increased.
He added: ’[The technology] is unique in that it will also be possible to operate it simultaneously with MRI, which has never been an option due to the MRI’s strong magnetic field.
’In fact, it will be possible to fit this SPECT system retrospectively to existing MRI scanners across the UK,’ said Boston. ’For patients, this means fewer appointments and the earlier and more effective diagnosis of tumours, which means a higher probability of effective treatment.’
IEA report claims batteries are ‘changing the game’
It is important in trucks and other commercial vehicles as the payload will be reduced if the battery weight is penal. Battery applications in the...