Periodic Reporting for period 2 - GAMMA-MRI (gamma-MRI: the future of molecular imaging)
Période du rapport: 2022-04-01 au 2023-09-30
The overall objectives of the GAMMA-MRI project are summarised below:
G1: Hyperpolarise efficiently several radioactive isotopes of xenon (mXe)
G2: Maintain mXe hyperpolarisation in vivo long enough to reach the targeted organ from the administration site
G3: Develop compressed sensing and AI-based strategies to obtain GAMMA-MRI images in minutes
G4: Integrate unique compact, fast, magnetic-field-compatible high-performance gamma detectors and electronics
G5: Build a prototype for in vitro and in vivo demonstration of the GAMMA-MRI technique
G6: Record the first in vivo GAMMA-MRI image of a rodent’s brain using the prototype and hyperpolarized mXe
The high-risk research we propose today will make GAMMA-MRI applicable in the clinic tomorrow. We will create new state-of-the-art in several technological aspects with the following science-to-technology breakthroughs: Hyperpolarisation of mXe & other tracers with Spin Exchange Optical Pumping & Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation. Storage and transport of hyperpolarised gamma-emitting tracers, separating hyperpolarisation and imaging. Fast, compact, high-sensitivity, high-count rates, magnetic-field compatible gamma detectors. Efficient data acquisition strategies shortening acquisition times to minutes. Encapsulation of tracers into biocompatible supramolecular constructs to preserve the hyperpolarisation longer, allowing to reach a distant targeted organ and eventually include biosensing capability.
Achieving our vision will require several challenging scientific and technological contributions to be made, namely: New generation of detectors, magnetic compatible, with better energy resolution than current ones in PET and SPECT. Use of AI-based acquisitions can also help in conventional MRI, reducing the acquisition time up to 100×. This allows a high increase in the number of procedures that can be done and will impact the availability of MRI equipment at the healthcare facility. While in this project we focus on brain perfusion studies, the technique is directly applicable to other organs and diseases. Stroke unit and Nuclear medicine departments will be the first to benefit from the technique.
By using our prototype we want to prove the efficiency of the technique to manage stroke early, by investigating them in an established rodent model of stroke (MCAO). After showing the viability of the technique we will be able to take part in clinical studies testing its utility in critical care of stroke patients. After commercialisation, we expect the device to cost less than 100k€, 10x less than any other existing molecular imaging modality, thus increasing accessibility to molecular imaging at point-of-care and, by improving stroke management, impact significantly the health and quality of life of patients. As lower magnetic fields will be possible, the devices will be smaller, portable, limiting drastically MR safety concerns and thus more patient friendly. GAMMA-MRI will provide innovations in the technologies involved that will have a broader application. New jobs will be created in the companies) commercialising the hardware and software,and in the industrial member of our consortium. Last but not least, shifting the current medical imaging devices paradigm to adaptable, simpler and lower cost devices, GAMMA-MRI could have a real impact on budget savings in the European healthcare system.