High-Resolution Portable Photon Counting Computed Tomography Scanner for Research Applications

PROJECT SUMMARY We are requesting funds to purchase the OmniTom® Elite photon counting mobile CT scanner from NeuroLogica. The equipment will be shared by investigators from the Departments of Anesthesia, Radiology, Neurosurgery, and Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Boston Children’s Hospital. This addresses the growing need for imaging instruments in diverse fields focusing on deciphering the biological and physiological mechanisms of disease, from animal models to human subjects. This endeavor requires a highly collaborative environment and access to the latest scientific instrumentation. However, many important studies are currently held back due to a shortage of accessible CT capabilities. The availability of a CT scanner dedicated exclusively to research applications will significantly expand the investigators’ ability to elucidate the mechanisms underlying studied disease processes. The proposal integrates quantitative imaging of lung function and anatomy, brain structure and perfusion, and organ dysfunction post- transplantation. The proposed scanner is compact and self-shielded, does not require structural renovations for installation or operation, and can be placed in any laboratory or animal research facility, eliminating the need to relocate research subjects and equipment. The scanner features helical acquisition that covers up to 50 cm in the longitudinal direction for each helical scan. Dynamic acquisition with high temporal resolution allows for the measurement of blood flow through dynamic contrast enhancement approaches. The photon counting detector, as opposed to conventional energy-integrating detectors, offers advantages such as reduced image artifacts, improved contrast-to-noise ratio, and multi-energy imaging. This cutting-edge technology surpasses dual-energy CT scanners in measuring CT contrast distribution for organ blood volume. We aim to establish a core facility dedicated to utilizing this device, which will include user applications, fee schedules, an online booking system, and compliance with IACUC and IRB regulations. The scanner will be relocated periodically between the MGH main campus and the Martinos Center to facilitate access for all major and new potential users, and it will be available to the extended MGH community and potentially to other regional users. Overall, the users' group of this proposal constitutes a diverse community of researchers working at the cutting edge of their specific fields. The proposed system will facilitate their projects, which have great translational potential to deepen our fundamental understanding of human diseases and to improve therapeutic strategies.