Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2022-2023)

The research and development of medical imaging systems have played a vital role in improving lives. However, the use of X-ray Computer Tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is increasing population dose, organ motion during radiotherapy remains a challenge, and the benefits of advanced technology are often not available to remote communities.

The goal of my Discovery program is to research, develop and assess inverse imaging applications to improve image quality, patient safety, therapeutic efficiency or provide approaches that offer improved access for rural communities. This research integrates the physics of radiation transport, Monte Carlo simulation and Dose and Image Reconstruction, with research in Condensed Matter Physics, Expert Systems, Antenna and Sensor Design.

Scattered photons can be used to improve the quality of CT, or to reduce the number of projections and dose. For PET, reconstructing images using scattered photons improves the functional image quality for a given dose, and enables anatomic details to be reconstructed. Microwaves can be used to detect small breast lesions in simulated breast phantoms without the risks of x-ray mammography, and megavoltage (MV) imaging can be used to track and predict organ motion. These diverse imaging applications rely on novel algorithms to reconstruct and/or to process the image, to classify the results and to predict outcomes, and all require novel signal sensors (detectors), which push the boundaries of existing technology.

Improvements require low noise detectors with high spatial and energy resolution, and for microwave radar systems, a broad frequency bandwidth. My research is approaching these problems from two directions. My collaborators and I are working to develop improved microwave, ultrasound, x-ray and gamma ray detectors for these applications, while my students and I develop improved algorithms which minimize the impact of deficiencies in detector technology, and integrate these new detectors into systems for evaluation.

Three themes fall within the current scope of the research. a) The use of novel reconstruction algorithms to image and detect breast tumors from microwave signals detected by a solid-state sensor array, b) The use of realistic data to develop and test scatter enhanced algorithms to reduce dose and improve PET and CT image quality and c) Further development of optical flow and dose calculation algorithms to enable radiation treatment to be optimized when tissue, gantry and field motion is present.

My program will provide Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering training opportunities, education and skills to help develop 26 well-rounded and professional HQP in the NSE, while inventing and evaluating disruptive imaging systems that make use of cutting-edge technology, such as spintronic sensors, multi-layer PET detectors, MV imaging and advanced reconstruction algorithms.