Can Yang, Ph.D. Candidate
Dr. Ling-Jian Meng, Director of Research
June 13, 2024 | 9:00am - 11:00am CST
This final examination will be held in 101A Talbot Laboratory.
Room Temperature Semiconductor Detector Performance Enhancement for Multi-Energy SPECT Imaging System Development and Its Application in Alpha Emitter Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
ABSTRACT: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) has traditionally played an important role in nuclear medicine imaging. However, conventional SPECT systems, primarily reliant on scintillation detectors, have limitations, such as low energy resolution and sensitivity to environmental conditions. The emergence of room temperature semiconductor detectors, such as cadmium zinc telluride (CZT), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and CsPbBr3, coupled with machine learning techniques, offers a unique opportunity to revolutionize multi-energy SPECT imaging, particularly in imaging the distribution of daughter isotopes from alpha-emitter radiopharmaceutical therapy (α-RPT). This thesis includes the design of SPECT systems and the implementation of room-temperature semiconductor detectors in tandem with machine learning algorithms to significantly enhance the detectors’ energy resolution and spatial resolution. As the foundation of SPECT imaging systems, detector performance is crucial to the intrinsic quality of imaging.
The geometric design of the SPECT system, including parameters such as pinhole size and magnification factor, plays a critical role in the quality and accuracy of the imaging process. These design considerations directly impact the resolution, sensitivity, and overall performance of the SPECT system, thereby influencing its diagnostic capabilities and clinical utility. In this thesis, several SPECT system designs are discussed to demonstrate the impact of system design and optimization.
To accurately study the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of these radionuclides from alpha-emitters in animals, a multi-energy SPECT system offers the ability to discriminate between these energy levels, providing valuable insights into the behavior and dynamics of these radiopharmaceuticals in vivo. This capability is critical for optimizing α-RPT protocols, enhancing our understanding of the radiopharmaceuticals' behavior in living organisms, and ultimately advancing the development of more effective and personalized cancer treatments.
In conclusion, a high-energy and spatial resolution detector-based multi-energy SPECT system is crucial in nuclear medicine research. It allows for precise differentiation of gamma-ray energies from various radionuclides, improving accuracy in imaging and quantification. This capability is vital for complex radiopharmaceutical studies and targeted therapies. Ongoing research and development efforts aim to further refine this technology in the field of nuclear medicine and oncology.
