New challenges in Medical Imaging

by Paul Lecoq (CERN)

Wednesday 16 Dec 2009, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Zurich

40-S2-D01 (CERN)

Abstract: The future trends in medical imaging and associated challenges for in-vivo functional imaging are illustrated on the basis of a few examples, such as atherosclerosis vulnerable plaques imaging or stem cells tracking. A set of parameters are derived to define the specifications of a new generation of in-vivo imaging devices in terms of sensitivity, spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. The talk will address molecular imaging as a way to detect early transformations in a cell, which may lead to pathology, through the identification of molecular pathways from gene to disease. The limitations of strategies used in present PET scanners are discussed and new approaches are proposed taking advantage of recent progress on materials, photodetectors and readout electronics. Finally it will be shown how the aggressive R&D in the field of medical imaging, and particularly in the field of highly functional imaging markers could open the way to new detection paradigms and indirectly benefit to HEP detectors. A special focus is put on metamaterials, as a new approach to bring more functionality to detection devices. It is shown that the route is now open towards a fully digital detector head with very high photon counting capability over a large energy range, excellent timing precision and possibility of imaging the energy deposition process. Detector Seminar webpage Organizer: Joachim BAECHLER PH/DT

Slides PLECOQ-PH-Detector-Seminar-Dec09_.pdf