Download OF ATHENS

DEPARMENT OF MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS TECHNOLOGY-TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION (TEI) OF ATHENS - Greece
Contact
Organisation
TECHNOLOGICAL
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
(TEI) OF ATHENS
Department
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
INSTRUMENTS TECHNOLOGY
Contact
person
Kandarakis, Prof Ioannis
Email
[email protected]
Address
Agiou Spyridonos
Postcode
12210
City
Aigaleo, Athens
Country
Greece
Telephone
+30210 5385387, +30210
5385303
Fax
+0030-210-5385302
Website
http://medisp.bme.teiath.gr/kANDARAKISsite_02/CV-Kandaraki.htm
Organisation
Type:
Research Organisation & Universities
Description
of research
activity:
Group of scientists from the department of Medical Instruments Technology at the
Technological Educational Institution (TEI) of Athens, Greece, with research interests
in the medical imaging detectors.
Within this concept, the research team has been working in the last 15 years
developing:
1. Experimental techniques for evaluating new scintillating materials (granular
phosphors and single crystals) using X-rays and gamma-rays.
2. Mathematical models for predicting the suitability of scintillators for various
medical imaging modalities. For this, we have developed custom computer software
(code) for analytical models.
3. Monte-Carlo methods by either a/building own software for evaluating the
performance of new scintillator materials, or b/using publicly available software (e.g.
GATE, Geant4) for simulating the performance of scintillators integrated within
complete medical imaging systems.The group has significant experience in the use of
GATE Monte Carlo software for the simulation of clinical systems and prototypes. Until
now, dedicated and clinical systems have been modeled, including:
•A small field of view gamma camera based on a R2486 PSPMT
•A mouse sized camera based on 2 H8500 PSPMTs
•A two head mini PET
•Siemens PET HR+
•Siemens PET Biograph
•Siemens Dual Head ECAM (SPECT)
In addition, GATE package is being used in order to model and correct scattering in
SPECT imaging, produce data that will be used for scatter and attenuation correction
in PET and in order to study the possibility of alternative collimator geometries.
4. Development of Dedicated Imaging Systems
The group works on the development of prototype systems for SPECT imaging in
collaboration with international groups. We are specialized in detector components
evaluation using phantoms. Recently we have extended our activities towards PET
systems
5. Small Animal Imaging
A mouse sized camera has been built in collaboration with Jefferson Lab and it is now
bein used in radiopharmaceutical studies in small mice in collaboration with National
Radiopharmacological laboratories. Our group provides technical assistance for animal
imaging, data processing and analysis as well as detector optimization. Currently a
rotating gantry is being purchased in order to upgrade this camera to SPECT mode.
The future goal is the use of two opposite heads for developing a mini-PET system
and finally work towards a(S)PECT/CT detector.
6.Scintimammography
The group is interested in using a dedicated gamma camera based on a PSPMTs for
breast studies. Currently we asses the performance of a R3292 PSPMT camera using
phantoms. In addition we simulate breast studies and optimize acquisition
parameters.
Members of the research group and collaborators
1.I. Kandarakis, Professor. Department of Medical Instruments Technology, Ionizing
Radiations Laboratory, TEI of Athens
2.D. Cavouras, Professor. Department of Medical Instruments Technology, Medical
Image and Signal Processing Laboratory, TEI of Athens
3.C. Nomicos, Professsor. Department of Electronics, TEI of Athens
4.N. Kalivas, Laboratory collaborator. Department of Medical Instruments Technology,
Ionizing Radiations Laboratory, TEI of Athens.
5.I. Valais, Assistant Professor. Department of Medical Instruments Technology, TEI
of Athens
6.A. Gaitanis, Institute of Biomedical Research of the Academy of Athens and Dept. of
Medical Instruments Technology, TEI of Athens .
7.G. Loudos, Institute of Biomedical Research of the Academy of Athens
8.P. Liaparinos, Doctorate student, (in collaboration with the University of Patras)
9.S. David, Doctorate student, (in collaboration with the University of Patras)
10.C. Michail, Doctorate student, (in collaboration with the University of Patras
11. Collaboration with “Iaso” Hospital, Dept. of Radiotherapy
12. Collaboration with Dept of Medical Physics, University of Patras
13. Collaboration with Dept. of Medical Imaging, “Euromedica” Medical Center
14. Collaboration with Dept of Radiology, General University hospital Attikon
Former participation in an FP European project? NO
Research topics
• HEALTH-2007-1.2-1: Development of a hybrid imaging system.
• HEALTH-2007-1.2-2: Novel optical methodologies for detection, diagnosis and monitoring of disease
or disease-related processes.
• HEALTH-2007-1.2-3: Novel targeted imaging probes for early in vivo diagnosis and/or evaluation of
response to therapy.
• HEALTH-2007-2.4.1-4: Novel cancer screening methods.
Expertise/commitment offered
Keywords
specifying the
expertise:
Medical imaging, x-ray mammography, nuclear imaging, scintillators,
phosphors, hybrid imaging systems, Monte Carlo
Description of the
expertise:
I. Evaluation of powder phosphors and single crystal scintillators for application
in medical imaging detectors*
Powder phosphors and single crystal scintillators are experimentally and
theoretically evaluated under x-ray and gamma-ray exposure conditions. The
aim of this research is to estimate the suitability of new scintillator and
phosphor materials for use in radiation detectors of medical imaging systems in
various fields, e.g. in Digital Mammography and Digital Radiography (DR), in
Conventional Radiography, in x-ray Computed Tomography (CT), in Single
Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), in Positron Emission
Tomography (PET), in Portal Imaging (Imaging in Radiation Therapy).
Parameters related to light emission efficiency; optical properties and imaging
performance (MTF, NPS, DQE) are evaluated by the following methods and
techniques:
1.Powder phosphor screen preparation: phosphor screens of various thicknesses
and from various phosphor materials are prepared by sedimentation techniques.
Screen coating thickness range from approximately 10 up to 200 . Various
materials (Terbium activated rare earth materials, Europium activated
phosphors, and Cerium activated scintillators and phosphors as well as Cesium
iodide crystals) have been tested.
2.Absolute luminescence efficiency measurements and calculations: The
absolute luminescence efficiency (AE), (emitted light energy flux over incident
exposure rate), is experimentally evaluated for powder phosphors and single
crystal scintillators. Experiments are performed under Diagnostic Radiology and
Nuclear Medicine conditions. Theoretical models, based on the Boltzmann
diffusion equation, have been developed to describe radiation and light
transport through phosphor/scintillator materials. The models are employed to
perform AE calculations and to fit theoretical curves to experimental data.
Fitting allows the determination of intrinsic physical parameters (intrinsic x-ray
to light conversion efficiency, reciprocal light diffusion length etc)
3.Light emission spectrum measurements: The spectrum of light emitted by xray and gamma-ray excited phosphors and scintillators is experimentally
evaluated. Spectral compatibility to optical sensors, currently employed in
medical imaging detectors, is estimated.
4.Angular distribution of light emission: The angular distribution of light emitted
by excited phosphors and scintillators is experimentally determined and used to
assess the corresponding geometric light collection efficiency in various detector
configurations
5.Image quality measurements and calculations: The imaging performance of
powder phosphor screens is evaluated by Modulation Transfer Function (MTF)
and Noise Power Spectrum (NPS) measurements and theoretical calculations.
Using experimental AE, MTF and NPS data, the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and
the Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) (signal to noise ratio transfer
efficiency) of the screens are determined. In addition theoretical models have
been developed to fit image quality experimental curves.
____________________________
*In collaboration with: Dept. of Medical Imaging, “Euromedica” Medical Center
II. Monte Carlo Simulations
Monte Carlo techniques are applied to study x-ray and gamma-ray radiation as
well as optical photon transport through scintillator materials employed in
radiation detectors of medical imaging systems. Special laboratory-developed
Monte Carlo codes are used to simulate the radiation-matter interactions, the
optical photon interactions (light absorption and light scattering effects) under
various imaging conditions (Mammography, general purpose Diagnostic
Radiology, and Nuclear Medicine-single photon and positron emission). Light
transport through phosphor (granular scintillator) mass is simulated by a Monte
Carlo code based on Mie light scattering theory. Monte Carlo simulation has
allowed the determination of detector parameters (quantum detection
efficiency, energy absorption efficiency, light transmission efficiency and overall
luminescence efficiency) as functions of incident photon energy. In addition
imaging characteristics such as MTF, Swank Factor and DQE are estimated. Up
to now, various materials have been studied such as: Gd2O2S:Tb (GOS,
GaDOX), YAlO3:Ce (YAP), Y3Al5O12:Ce (YAG), LuAlO3:Ce (LuAP), Gd2SiO5:Ce
(GSO), Lu2SiO5:Ce (LSO) and (Lu,Y)2SiO5:Ce (LYSO:Ce).
GATE (Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission) Monte Carlo code is also
used to simulate clinical Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon
Emission Tomography (SPECT) systems. MCNP, GEANT4, EGS4 and DETEC2000
codes are also being under development for correlation purposes.
III. Simulation of a Computed Tomography Breast Imaging (CTBI) system
The aim of this project is to use analytical simulation methods to investigate the
Commitment
offered
Research,Training,Technology
Expectations
Expected results for
your organisation:
-Improvement of biomedical imaging technology which will provide
simultaneously anatomical and functional information in a fused final image.
-Simulation, design and possible development of a novel hybrid imaging
system combining two or more different biomedical imaging modalities into
a single system for concurrent measurement with the different modalities.
-Technology transfer and collaboration among research institutes and
companies/industries in order to produce innovative diagnosis imaging
systems
-Improving research collaboration among European research laboratories:
enter European research Network in the field of medical imaging
PROJECT
Title: Development of a hybrid x-ray /nuclear imaging detector
Acronym: IMAGDET
Project type
Small or medium-scale focused research collaborative project
Status
Planned for submission
Call references
Call 1st
Priorities’ Main Research
Areas
FP7-HEALTH-2007-A
FP7-HEALTH-1. BIOTECHNOLOGY, GENERIC TOOLS AND MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGIES FOR HUMAN HEALTH
FP7-HEALTH-1.2. DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING
Workprogramme Topic
(according to each priority
workprogramme)
HEALTH-2007-1.2-1: Development of a hybrid imaging system.
.
Project description
Today’s trend in medical imaging is the development of combined (hybrid) systems which give
simultaneously anatomical and functional information in a fused final image. Those systems include two
or even three different separated imaging detector units, though incorporated in one gantry. The scope
of the present idea is the simulation, design and development of a detector, combining different imaging
modalities e.g. Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) and x-ray Computed Tomography Breast
Imaging (CTBI). The developed prototype will be tested at preclinical level (laboratory, animals)
Keywords
Medical imaging, PEM, x-ray mammography, nuclear imaging,
scintillators, phosphors, hybrid imaging systems
Partners already involved
1.Prof I. Kandarakis-TEI Athens-Greece, 2. University of Latvia, 3.
ETSI Telecommunicacion- Universidad Politecnica de Madrid-Spain 4.
Central Institute for Electronics-Germany
Project budget (for the
running projects)
Budget reserved for
SMEs
Profile of SME sought
Role
technology development, research, training
Country /region
All European countries (Member States & Associated countries)
Start of
partnership
mid-term
Expertise required
-European health related SMEs and businesses developing medical imaging
systems.
-Research groups and European SMEs involved in the design and/or
development of high imaging performance radiation detectors, flat panel optical
detectors and fast acquisition/ read out electronics.
-Research groups developing simulations and reconstruction algorithms in x-ray
and in nuclear imaging systems.
-Partners with expertise in preclinical studies (prototype tested in laboratory,
animals)
CONTACT DETAILS OF GREEK RESEARCH TEAM
TECHNOLOGIC
Organisatio
AL
n
Departme
nt
Contact
person
Address
Male/femal
e
Email
Postcode
City
Country
EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION
(TEI) OF
ATHENS
Kandarakis,
Prof Ioannis
Agiou
Spyridonos
12210
Aigaleo,
Athens
Greece
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS
TECHNOLOGY
Male
[email protected]
Telephone +30210 5385387;
Fax
Website
+30210 5385303
+0030-210-5385302
http://medisp.bme.teiath.gr/kANDARAKISsite_0
2/CV-Kandaraki.htm
HEALTH -2007 TOPICS OF EXPERTISE OF GREEK RESEARCH TEAM
• HEALTH-2007-1.2-1: Development of a hybrid imaging system.
• HEALTH-2007-1.2-2: Novel optical methodologies for detection, diagnosis and monitoring of disease
or disease-related processes.
• HEALTH-2007-1.2-3: Novel targeted imaging probes for early in vivo diagnosis and/or evaluation of
response to therapy.
• HEALTH-2007-2.4.1-4: Novel cancer screening methods.
DEADLINE FOR RESPONSES: 31/03/2007