Medical Teaching Research Lab

Research

The Daresbury Nuclear Physics group, University of Liverpool and RLUH already collaborate in the medical physics field.  

ProSPECTus

One example of a previous collaboration is the SFTC-CLASP funded project, ProSPECTus. This novel device enhances current SPECT system efficiency by a factor of up to 100 by utilizing electronic rather than mechanical collimation with the hope of one day becoming the standard for medical imaging. More information for this device can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/physics/research/nuclear-physics/applications/medical/

Future Research

Image Quality

The University of Liverpool conducted an evaluation of the known image quality metrics used to qualify the ProSPECTus device in comparison to the SPECT/CT available at the MTRL. This work has further signified the need for more comprehensive comparison methods between the two devices. 

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Phantoms are specially designed objects whose scans can reveal important performance properties of the imaging device. These can be built to replicate real human systems or other more obscure structures for a certain purpose. A unique ‘Liverpool’ phantom has been constructed, based on the jaszczak design, to compare the quality of images between the MTRL device and ProSPECTus, required due to the greater field of view of proSPECTus. 

Picture of the Liverpool Phantom on a table

The Liverpool Low Resolution Phantom, Filled with Ce 139

Production of future phantoms for similar purposes is expected and readily achievable thanks to the new 3D printer located at the University of Liverpool. This, along with any future produced phantoms shall be used to determine the image quality differences between ProSPECTus and the MTRL GE Infinia SPECT/CT device.

Phantom picture for MTRL research pagepic of phantom for MTRL website, research

CT scan (left) and Jaszczak phantom (right). Classically the bottom section of this phantom is used to assess spacial resolution and the solid spheres crowning the rods are used to assess contrast and scattering. (Jaszczack image taken from www.Biodex.com).

Diagnostic Molecular Radiotherapy (MRT)

A further ongoing project is aimed towards altering the current SPECT systems to retrieve greater quantitative images in molecular radiotherapy. Construction and design of low efficiency, high resolution collimators along with CZT detectors is underway with the aim of improving diagnostic imaging performance for dosimetry. Further information can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/physics/research/nuclear-physics/applications/medical/