Diagnostic Imaging

Medical imaging facilitates the internal aspects of the working human body to produce 2-D and 3-D digital images for clinical examination.  These medical imaging modalities aim to assist physicians in the diagnosis and pathology of the disease state. Medical imaging incorporates a broad range of disciplines including radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation physics and tomography. In the clinical setting, medical imaging is implemented by the radiology department and radiologists are responsible for interpreting the images. Artificial Intelligence is assisting radiologists to evaluate the complex megapixel images obtained from medical imaging modalities such as x-rays, computed tomography scanning, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound scanning, nuclear medicine technology and theranostics.

Computed Tomography

New technological advancements continue to play a vital role in computed tomography to produce highly optimized treatment plans for radiosurgery and oncology.  The next generation of CT scanners will incorporate photon counting and artificial intelligence (AI). The photon-counting CT scanners will increase the spectral sensitivity and produce high spatial resolution with the further reduction in noise and artefacts.  This technology platform will achieve multi-energy imaging in every scan, similar to dual-energy CT, but using a single tube voltage. The photon-counting CT will be able to count the number of all incoming photons and measure their energy. Currently, AI is being applied to clinical protocols, especially in artefact reduction and image reconstruction.  Further, AI can help in the reduction of the radiation dose.

Nuclear Medicine

Technological advancements in PET and SPECT imaging will produce the next generation of SPECT cameras based on cadmium zinc telluride detectors to reduce the radiation dose and scanning time subjected to the patient.  Furthermore, the hybrid scanners PET-CT and SPECT-CT will allow for CT attenuation correction of the images.  For example, infusing the CT anatomical images will help understand the coronary anatomy and locate the restriction causing perfusion defects. Furthermore, potential PET imaging agents could provide information on the best therapy approach to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in other developments.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound scanning also known as ultrasonography uses high-frequency sound waves to produce internal images of the body. The principle of ultrasound scanning is to send sound waves into the body converting the returning sound echoes to generate anatomical pictures.

MRI

The non-radiation medical imaging techniques include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which utilise radio waves and a strong magnetic field to enable the formation of detailed images of organs and tissues. This powerful medical imaging tool can differentiate between healthy and diseased soft tissues within the body. Also, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) assists in the treatment planning stage for a patient undergoing image-guided surgery (Gamma Knife)

Theranostics

Theranostics is an emerging field of medicine that combines specific targeted therapy based on individual targeted diagnostic tests. The theranostic approach utilises a personalised and precise approach towards the treatment of the disease state. During the design of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals based on nanoscience, diagnostic imaging with therapeutic applications are united to produce a single target agent.  The theranostic imaging approach allows for diagnosis and treatment planning including the development of new drug delivery systems.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy devices utilise X-rays, gamma rays and electron beams including proton beam therapy to treat specific cancers. The non-surgical procedure stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) utilises radiation for the management of brain tumours.  The objective of stereotactic radiosurgery is to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumour site in comparison to other radiotherapy treatments.