Radiology Research - Faculty |
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Education: Ph.D., Physics, 1990, University of Virginia M.S., Physics, 1983, Wake Forest University B.C., Physics, 1977, Grinnell College Research Interest: The general area of research in my lab is the design, development and optimization of medical imaging technologies. The following projects are underway: 1) Dual Modality Breast Imaging: In co-operation with Brandeis University and Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, we have developed an integrated imaging system that combines the sensitivity of digital mammography with the specificity of scintimammography in a single compact, upright unit. The imaging system functions by obtaining mirror-image x-ray transmission and gamma emission images concurrently with the breast in a single configuration. Co-registration then correlates the gamma and x-ray images to within a fraction of a pixel. 2) Molecular Imaging System for Small Animal Research: We are developing an imaging system that permits simultaneous acquisition of high resolution functional (nuclear medicine) and structural (digital x-ray) images of mice and rats. The resulting fused image correlates the radiotracer distribution with the morphological information provided by the x-ray data. The system is being utilized for several mouse and rat studies in gene expression imaging, radiation oncology and diagnostic radiology. 3) Multiple View Dual Modality Breast Imager: This system is a second generation of the Dual Modality breast imaging system described above. Here the breast is held under mild compression on a breast support structure that is independent of the detectors and the gantry arm. Multiple view imaging makes it possible to obtain three-dimensional lesion localization with this system. We are trying to apply the three-dimensional lesion location to obtain an improved estimate of the lesion to background concentration. 4) Integrated CT-SPECT System for Small Animal Imaging: We are developing a scanner for simultaneous acquisition of x-ray computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) images of small animals such as mice and rats. The scanner uses a cone beam geometry for both the x-ray transmission and gamma emission projections by using an area x-ray detector and pinhole collimator, respectively. The CT and SPECT data sets are overlaid to form a coregistered structural-functional 3D image. Current Projects: Molecular imaging system for small animal research: We are developing a tomographic imaging system that permits simultaneous acquisition of high resolution functional (SPECT) and structural (x-ray CT) images from mice and rats. The resulting fused image correlates the radiotracer distribution with the morphological information provided by the x-ray data. A similar 2-dimensional system is being routinely utilized as a component of the Small Animal Multimodality Imaging Center for mouse and at studies in gene expression imaging, radiation oncology and diagnostic radiology. Recent & Representative Publications
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