Lutetium Nanoparticles Spectral CT Imaging and Optimization

Abstract

The objective of this project is to study the image enhancement prospects of PolyAcrylic-Acid (PAA) coated Lutetium Nanoparticles (LuNPs) as in Spectral Photon Counting Computer Tomography (SPCCT) imaging using the MARS Microlab CT. Initially, we aimed to investigate Gadolinium Nanoparticles (GdNPs) as a contrast agent. However, upon reviewing the literature, we found that extensive research has been conducted on GdNPs. Therefore, we decided to focus on LuNPs, keeping the methodology employed in our study as planned. A comprehensive characterization of the LuNPs included Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transfer Infrared tradition spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cell viability assay are studied to assess their morphology, optical absorption properties, surface chemistry environment, concentration, and hydrodynamic size, chemical composition, and biocompatibility. A new contrast-detail phantom with multiple conical cavities was used to study the minimum detectable contrast. This will be valuable in establishing the minimum concentration of PAA-LuNPs necessary for imaging. In addition, energy windows were optimized based on theoretical simulation and were compared to experimental results. The highest contrast was found after the Lu Kedge using a 3keV energy window. Lu-PAA linear attenuation coefficient demonstrated linearity of signal with respect to Lu concentration.

Date of Award	20 Jul 2024
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Maalej (Supervisor)