Massimiliano Colarieti-Tosti

On the structural polymorphism of CePt2Sn2: experiment and theory

Abstract Samples of the heavy fermion compound CePt 2 Sn 2 with varying compositions have been synthesised and examined from room temperature up to the melting point. Two crystallographic structures of the intermetallic alloy CePt 2 Sn 2 were observed and they were systematically investigated using X-ray powder diffraction. The structural phase transition between the two variants has been studied using an in situ high temperature X-ray powder diffraction camera. The effect of varying the stoichiometry on the structural properties has been investigated. The primitive tetragonal phase with the CaBe 2 Ge 2 -type structure (space group P4/nmm , a =4.5877(2) A, c =10.3984(6) A) is stable as an equilibrium phase over the entire temperature range and is favoured by lower Pt:Ce ratios, while the monoclinic LaPt 2 Ge 2 -type structure (space group P2 1 , a =4.5935(3) A, b =4.5890(3) A, c =10.4128(7) A, β =91.425(6)°) appears as a metastable phase during the quenching process, and is favoured by higher Pt:Ce ratios. The crystal structures of both modifications have been refined by the Rietveld method and their structural relationships are discussed. Theory shows that the 4f states of Ce are essentially localised and that a phase transition from tetragonal to monoclinic should occur as a function of applied pressure.

Investigation of radiation detection properties of CRY-018 and CRY-019 scintillators for medical imaging

During the last years the research for new scintillation crystals has been crucial for the improvement of imaging performance in nuclear medicine applications. Crytur company has recently released two new scintillators named CRY-018 and CRY-019 which are non hygroscopic, have short decay time and low refraction index. They represent the ideal candidates to substitute NaI:Tl and BGO crystals in future PET ad SPECT applications. The purpose of this work is to characterize this unknown crystals, look for possible applications in imaging for nuclear medicine. The results of this work were compared with the results obtained with a LaBr3:ce scintillation crystal. This particular crystal is used as a comparison benchmark because of its strong linear pulse height uniformity response and high energy resolution. Measurements have been performed with a high count rate which is typical for medical applications. Irradiation of the crystals have been performed in three different geometries and in a photon energy range suitable with SPECT and PET applications. The experimental results identify the CRY-018 as an Yttrium and Silicon mixture and the CRY-019 with as Lutetium and Silicon one. Moreover a light yield of about 45% of LaBr3 one, was obtained for both the CRY-018 and CRY-019. This is one of the higher light yield between most of the scintillation crystals usually used in nuclear medicine. Both crystals are characterized by a non-proportionality in the pulse height linearity response. Energy resolutions of 7.4% for CRY-018 and 8.4% for CRY-019 at 661 keV, have been measured. The intrinsic component of the energy resolution has been esteemed for all three scintillators. An intrinsic detection efficiency of about 45% at 122 keV for CRY-018 and 14% at 661 keV for CRY-019 has been measured. Compared with LaBr3:Ce efficiency, which is highly deteriorated by the coating required by the hygroscopicity, CRY-018 and CRY-019 are really interesting considering that these two samples are only 6 mm thick. Cryturs crystals seem to be suitable for nuclear medicine applications.

Patient-specific flow simulation of the left ventricle from 4D echocardiography - feasibility and robustness evaluation

In recent years, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations on in-silico models of the heart have provided a valuable insight into cardiac hemodynamic behaviour. However, so far most models have been either based on simplified geometries or on imaging acquisitions with relatively low temporal resolution. It has been suggested that models based entirely on subject-specific ultrasonic images should be used to capture transient flow changes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to present a pathway from routine 4D echocardiography to a patient-specific flow simulation of the left ventricle (LV), evaluating the model robustness and clinical feasibility. The created pathway consisted of initial LV segmentation and mitral/aortic valve positioning, being subsequently used as input for the CFD simulations (based on solving the Navier-Stokes equation using an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian approach). The output consisted of 4D blood flow velocities and relative pressures in the entire LV. On five subjects, the model robustness was evaluated with regards to variations in singular boundary conditions. The clinical feasibility of the output was compared to clinical PW Doppler measurements and, as a proof-of-concept, synthetic contrast enhanced ultrasound images were simulated on the flow field using the COLE-method. Results indicated a relatively robust model, with variations in regional flow of approximately 5.1/6.2% and 9.7/7.0% for healthy and pathological subject respectively (end diastole/end systole). Furthermore, showing similar behaviour to clinical Doppler measurements the technique serves as a promising tool for future clinical investigations. Additionally, the ability of simulating synthetic ultrasound images further underlines the applicability of the pathway, being potentially useful in studies on improved echocardiographic image analysis.

Multimodal validation of patient-specific intraventricular flow simulations from 4D echocardiography

The combination of refined medical imaging techniques and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models has enabled the study of complex flow behavior on a highly regional level. Recently, we have developed a platform for patient-specific CFD modelling of blood flow in the left ventricle (LV), with input data and required boundary conditions acquired from 4D echocardiography. The platform robustness has been evaluated with respect to input variable variations, but for any clinical implementation model flow validation is essential. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the patient-specific CFD model against multimodal image-based flow measurements. For the validation, 4D echocardiography was acquired from two healthy subjects, from which LV velocity fields were simulated. In-vivo flows from the same two subjects were then acquired by pulsed wave (PW) Doppler imaging over both LV-valves, and by cine phase-contract magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) at eight defined anatomical planes in the LV. By fusing PC-MRI and the ultrasound acquisitions using a three-chamber alignment algorithm, simulated and measured flows were quantitatively compared. General flow pattern correspondence was observed, with a mean error of 1.4 cm/s and root mean square deviation of 5.7 cm/s for all measured PC-MRI LV-planes. For the PW-Doppler comparison, a mean error of 3.6 cm/s was reported. Overall, the following work represents a validation of the proposed patient-specific CFD platform, and the agreement with clinical data highlight the potential for future clinical use of the models.

Novel time over threshold based readout method for MRI compatible small animal PET detector

Combined PET-MRI scanners start a new era in medical imaging. However the development of MRI compatible PET detector module is a challenging task. SiPM sensors are insensitive to magnetic field and constitute a promising solution. A drawback is the high dark current. A readout concept for SiPM based small animal PET detector module is presented in this paper. The results show that the readout of the SiPM is possible using only four ADC channels and the position map is comparable to the ideal solution. The detector modules based on the method are feasible solution for MRI compatible PET scanners.

Patient-Specific Left Ventricular Flow Simulations From Transthoracic Echocardiography: Robustness Evaluation and Validation Against Ultrasound Doppler and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The combination of medical imaging with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has enabled the study of 3-D blood flow on a patient-specific level. However, with models based on gated high-resolution data, the study of transient flows, and any model implementation into routine cardiac care, is challenging. This paper presents a novel pathway for patient-specific CFD modelling of the left ventricle (LV), using 4-D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as input modality. To evaluate the clinical usability, two sub-studies were performed. First, a robustness evaluation was performed, where repeated models with alternating input variables were generated for six subjects and changes in simulated output quantified. Second, a validation study was carried out, where the pathway accuracy was evaluated against pulsed-wave Doppler (100 subjects), and 2-D through-plane phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging measurements over seven intraventricular planes (6 subjects). The robustness evaluation indicated a model deviation of <12%, with highest regional and temporal deviations at apical segments and at peak systole, respectively. The validation study showed an error of <11% (velocities <10 cm/s) for all subjects, with no significant regional or temporal differences observed. With the patient-specific pathway shown to provide robust output with high accuracy, and with the pathway dependent only on 4-D TTE, the method has a high potential to be used within future clinical studies on 3-D intraventricular flow patterns. To this, future model developments in the form of e.g., anatomically accurate LV valves may further enhance the clinical value of the simulations.

Estimation of left ventricular blood flow parameters : Clinical application of patient-specific CFD simulations from 4D echocardiography

Echocardiography is the most commonly used image modality in cardiology, assessing several aspects of cardiac viability. The importance of cardiac hemodynamics and 4D blood flow motion has recently been highlighted, however such assessment is still difficult using routine echo-imaging. Instead, combining imaging with computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-simulations has proven valuable, but only a few models have been applied clinically. In the following, patient-specific CFD-simulations from transthoracic dobutamin stress echocardiography have been used to analyze the left ventricular 4D blood flow in three subjects: two with normal and one with reduced left ventricular function. At each stress level, 4D-images were acquired using a GE Vivid E9 (4VD, 1.7MHz/3.3MHz) and velocity fields simulated using a presented pathway involving endocardial segmentation, valve position identification, and solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation. Flow components defined as direct flow, delayed ejection flow, retained inflow, and residual volume were calculated by particle tracing using 4th-order Runge-Kutta integration. Additionally, systolic and diastolic average velocity fields were generated. Results indicated no major changes in average velocity fields for any of the subjects. For the two subjects with normal left ventricular function, increased direct flow, decreased delayed ejection flow, constant retained inflow, and a considerable drop in residual volume was seen at increasing stress. Contrary, for the subject with reduced left ventricular function, the delayed ejection flow increased whilst the retained inflow decreased at increasing stress levels. This feasibility study represents one of the first clinical applications of an echo-based patient-specific CFD-model at elevated stress levels, and highlights the potential of using echo-based models to capture highly transient flow events, as well as the ability of using simulation tools to study clinically complex phenomena. With larger patient studies planned for the future, and with the possibility of adding more anatomical features into the model framework, the current work demonstrates the potential of patient-specific CFD-models as a tool for quantifying 4D blood flow in the heart.

Preliminary study of a new gamma imager for on-line proton range monitoring during proton radiotherapy

We designed and tested new concept imaging devices, based on a thin scintillating crystal, aimed at the online monitoring of the range of protons in tissue during proton radiotherapy. The proposed ...

An ex-vivo setup for characterization of atherosclerotic plaque using shear wave elastography and micro-computed tomography

Quantification of the mechanical properties of atherosclerotic plaque has shown to be important in assessing carotid artery plaque vulnerability. For such, shear wave elastography (SWE) has been applied on both in-vitro and in-vivo setups. The aim of this study was to build an ex-vivo setup for combined evaluation of plaque characteristics using SWE and micro-computed tomography (μCT). As a proof-of-concept of the constructed experimental setup, a single human carotid plaque specimen was extracted during carotid endarterectomy. The plaque was imaged in the μCT system, and subsequently imaged using SWE. For the SWE measurement, group and phase velocity was extracted from the obtained in-phase/quadrature data, with its spatial distribution being compared to anatomical features visible in the μCT images. The results indicated wave velocity changes at boundaries identified in the μCT, with group velocity data slightly increasing when entering a calcified nodule. Additionally, μCT images seemed to provide good contrast between several plaque constituens using the defined imaging settings. Overall, the study represents a proof-of-concept for detailed ex-vivo plaque analysis using combined SWE and μCT, with obtained wave speed and shear modulus values falling within observed values for atherosclerotic plaque tissue. With an experimental setup defined, future studies on carotid plaque behaviour both in SWE and μCT is enabled, where a large-scale plaque study could be performed to investigate the ability of SWE to differentiate between different plaque types.

Stationary SPECT with multi-layer Multiple-Pinhole-Arrays

The potential of Multiple Pinhole Arrays (MPA) collimators for developing a Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography (SPECT) system without rotating or moving elements is investigated. A four layer arrangement is proposed and the system performance is evaluated using the simulation toolkit GATE [1]. For a camera with a field of view (FOV) of the order of a human brain (a sphere of radius 100 mm), a sensitivity of 86,0 cps/MBq and an overall resolution of 5 mm have been estimated, indicating that performances comparable to traditional parallel-hole-collimator cameras can be achieved.