The Overall Objective of this application is to enable in vivo dosimetry during radiation therapy in cancer patient to the end-user? the medical physicist. Our Hypothesis is that X-ray-induced Acoustic Computed tomography (XACT) can be used for 4D in vivo dosimetry in patients. In XACT, pulsed x-rays are absorbed and converted to heat. The resulting thermoelastic expansion generates a 3D acoustic wave, which can be detected by acoustic detectors to form images. The amplitude of the acoustic waves is proportional to X-ray absorption, and therefore encodes dose information. Our overall strategy is to design/construct a 3D XACT dosimetric scanner, and to test/refine the imaging prototype under clinical conditions based on an Academic-Industrial partnership between University of Oklahoma (OU) and PhotoSound Technologies Inc.
Our specific aims are: (Specific aim 1) Evaluate the basis of the XACT imaging in radiotherapy dosimetry; (Specific aim 2) Develop a 3D XACT imaging system for clinical implementation; and (Specific aim 3) Validate the performance of XACT under clinical conditions. This discovery is the first time in history that radiation dose in tissue could be directly visualized with high spatial and temporal resolution. If successful, the ability to localize the radiation beam and map the radiation dose will enable a paradigm shift towards high-precision radiotherapy.

Public Health Relevance

Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. Upon conclusion, we will translate a new in vivo dosimeter prototype into a workable tool for radiation therapy dose monitoring based on an academic- Industrial partnership between University of Oklahoma (OU) and PhotoSound Technologies Inc. The technological advances in using X-ray-induced Acoustic Computed tomography (XACT) imaging for in vivo dosimetry will decrease radiation treatment toxicity and improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
1R37CA240806-01A1
Application #
9912379
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Baker, Houston
Project Start
2019-09-20
Project End
2024-08-31
Budget Start
2019-09-20
Budget End
2020-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Oklahoma Norman
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Biomed Engr/Col Engr/Engr Sta
DUNS #
848348348
City
Norman
State
OK
Country
United States
Zip Code
73019