Project Information

Project Code: P2022SE49Y

CUP: B53D23024100001

Funding Programme: PRIN 2022 PNRR – MUR / European Union – NextGenerationEU

Duration: 2023–2025

Rersearch Units: 

• Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica E. Segrè, Universita' degli Studi di Palermo Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 18 90128, Palermo, (L. Abbene-PI, F. Principato, D. Cascio, A. Buttacavoli)

• INAF – IASF Palermo (Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica),  (C. Gargano-LR, G. Sottile)

Abstract

The goal of this research project is to develop advanced modules for SPECT prototypes, in terms of sensitivity, spatial and energy resolution, for quantitative nuclear imaging in theranostics. Theranostics allows personalized precision medicine to patients with cancer by combining diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging with targeted radionuclide therapy, delivering the right treatment to the right patient, at the right time, with the right dose. The theranostic approach in nuclear medicine couples diagnostic imaging and therapy using the same molecule or at least very similar molecules; the gamma ray/positron emission is used for imaging and alpha /beta particles for therapy.

The proposed SPECT prototypes will be constituted of 3D Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) drift strip detectors coupled to low noise front-end ASICs and followed by innovative Digital Pulse Processing (DPP) electronics. The research activity will be focused to overcome the performance of the current state of art of CZT-SPECT, aiming to obtain: a) excellent energy resolution at room temperature (≤ 1.2% FWHM at 60 keV; ≤ 1% FWHM at 122 keV; ≤ 1% FWHM at 511 keV), b) high 3D spatial position resolution (less than 500 μm), c) high detection efficiency (> 90 % up to 218 keV; 70 % at 440 keV d) Compton event detection capability, e) high timing resolution (≤ 1 ns; key for PET systems) and f) performance time stability. The proposed system will cover a wide energy range (5-600 keV) with high resolution, key for multi-line imaging in theranostics.

Objectives

The project foresees to develop a module prototype of a SPECT system based on high-resolution 3D CZT drift strip detectors coupled to ultra-low noise and very-fast ASICs followed by advanced digital pulse processing (DPP) electronics. The new SPECT systems will give, beside the photon energy, the counting rate and 3D position, further key information (multi-parameter analysis) about gamma-rays and the related pulses: arrival time of the pulses, pulse shape, drift time. The Table below summarizes the main strategies of the research activities and the expected system performance.

Milestones

The work plan of the project, reported below in the GANTT chart, is organized into 6 Milestones (Ms), with specific activities and involved research units (RUs): 

Results

Advanced SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) modules were successfully developed within the project. The project activities were organized in six milestones, fully completed and obtaining the planned goals. The proposed SPECT prototypes were constituted of 3D Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) drift strip detectors coupled to low noise front-end ASICs and followed by innovative Digital Pulse Processing (DPP) electronics.

Excellent energy resolution values (< 0.9 % FWHM at 60 keV at room temperature) were obtained, beyond the current state of art of CZT- based SPECT systems and high 3D spatial position resolution, less than 500 μm.

The abilities of the system for spectroscopic and Compton imaging were also successfully demonstrated.

The proposed system is able to cover a wide energy range (5-600 keV) with high resolution, very important for multi-line imaging in nuclear medicine (theranostics).