Medical imaging physics plays a vital role in radiology and is constantly evolving. Significant advancements are being made in medical imaging
physics technology, quality control and patient safety. The advancements are exciting and are being integrated into medical imaging systems by top manufacturers. Let’s take a close look at what’s new in medical imaging physics developments today.
Cone-Beam CT Quality Control: Cone-Beam CT is being used in dental imaging, surgical C-Arms, Cath lab angiography systems, breast imaging and radiation therapy. There is a need for continuous optimization of Cone-Beam CT protocols. This is particularly true in radiation therapy, because AI-driven adaptive therapy depends upon it for recalculating doses based on anatomical changes.
More quality control of CBCT technology is needed because the technology is embedded as a secondary imaging capability of an X-ray system. This is especially true in radiation therapy. It’s important for onboard imaging systems in radiation therapy which ensure the perfect alignment of a patient on a treatment bed as well as the CT-scan based treatment plan.
In addition, it’s important to ensure the CBCT is calibrated separately from the main system in order to address dose concerns and ensure top imaging quality. CBCT is also used on newer radiation oncology systems for adaptive therapy, where AI recalculates doses and the treatment plan based on anatomical changes that occurred since the last treatment session.
Photon-counting CT: There are several new vendors entering the market with photon-counting computed tomography and are working toward approval by the U.S. FDA.
AI For Dose Reduction And Image Reconstruction: Playing an important role in the reduction of X-ray doses and the enhancement of image reconstruction is Artificial Intelligence. Physicists will need to understand and calibrate AI algorithms correctly in order to ensure reliable information for technologists and radiologist.
Theranostics in radiation oncology: Theranostics involves using targeted nuclear imaging radiotracers for simultaneous disease imaging and treatment. Practitioners will need to determine ideal doses for patients, which is a more complicated process that the current standard of radiation therapy dosimetry.
As AI becomes more integrated into medical imaging and the medical community as a whole, medical physicists will need to evaluate, understand and calibrate algorithms for increasingly reliable information.
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About the author: Vikki Harmonay
