Analysis of the dynamic and metabolic quantification of nuclear medicine images in the PET/CT modality

• Grant number: 14/11758-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: August 14, 2014
• End date: August 13, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Sergio Shiguemi Furuie
• Grantee: Edward Flórez Pacheco
• Supervisor: Vani Vijayakumar
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/23172-6 - Analysis of the dynamic and metabolic quantification of nuclear medicine images in the PET/CT modality, BP.DR

Abstract

The great advantage of the nuclear medicine is to analyze the metabolic behavior of patient's tissue, resulting in early diagnoses and more effective treatments. The project focuses on the study of the dynamic and the metabolic quantification of dynamic 3D medical images of the PET/CT modality, by means of realistic and well-controlled processes. The aim of this part of the project is to develop a modular framework that is initiated with the generation of the input activity and output response curves (using imaging techniques) as functions of excitation, required by the process of the compartment models in order to obtain the Metabolic Quantification of the selected organ or structure. The project will consider the use of three compartmental structures: a) Two compartments (with two characteristic constants), b) three compartments (with four characteristic constants) and, c) four compartments (with six characteristic constants). The literature indicates that through those compartmental structures will be possible to study the dynamics and the metabolism of brain and heart, which represent the objects of study in this project. To fulfill this purpose, it is highly important to interact with the Department of Radiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), because they will provide the real images of those organs (brain and heart). Indeed, the assessment and analysis procedures will be performed with the aid and support of two experts from UMMC in order to determine the level of efficiency and accuracy of our application. This Department is characterized by its technological infrastructure and competent human resources for the implementation of the part of the project detailed above. As a result of this interaction, if necessary we will make improvements, adjustments and/or corrections to any process within the platform in order to obtain clinical acceptable results. This experience of international supervisor will ensure the success of the clinical activities and the better quality in obtaining and using the results. This configures a significant gain for the study, raising the level of the research and making the PhD student experienced in these methods. (AU)