Neutron stimulated emission computed tomography of stable isotopes

Here we report on the development of a new molecular imaging technique using inelastic scattering of fast neutrons. Earlier studies demonstrated a significant difference in trace element concentrations between benign and malignant tissue for several cancers including breast, lung, and colon. Unfortunately, the measurement techniques were not compatible with living organisms and this discovery did not translate into diagnostic techniques. Recently we have developed a tomographic approach to measuring the trace element concentrations using neutrons to stimulate characteristic gamma emission from atomic nuclei in the body. Spatial projections of the emitted energy spectra allow tomographic image reconstruction of the elemental concentrations. In preliminary experiments, spectra have been acquired using a 7.5MeV neutron beam incident on several multielement phantoms. These experiments demonstrate our ability to determine the presence of Oxygen, Carbon, Copper, Iron, and Calcium. We desribe the experimental technique and present acquired spectra.

Duke Scholars

Author Calvin R. Howell Physics

Author Alex Crowell  

Author Werner Tornow Physics