A special type of imaging called Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) relies on gamma-ray cameras that detect radiation from substances inside the body.
Breakthrough in Nuclear Medicine with Perovskite Gamma-Ray Cameras
Nuclear medicine imaging, specifically single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), is getting a major upgrade thanks to a new technology: perovskite crystals. It relies on gamma-ray cameras that detect radiation from substances inside the body. Recently, scientists developed a new type of gamma-ray camera using perovskite semiconductors that show amazing improvements in image quality and sensitivity. These crystals are poised to significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of SPECT scans, leading to better diagnoses and treatment plans for patients.
Improving SPECT: Better Energy Resolution and Sensitivity
Current SPECT systems, often using sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) crystals or cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors, have limitations. NaI(Tl) crystals require significant thickness to capture enough gamma rays, resulting in lower spatial resolution and increased patient radiation exposure. While CZT detectors offer improvements, they’re expensive to produce. Perovskite crystals present a solution. They offer superior energy resolution (ER), meaning they can better differentiate between different types of gamma rays, leading to clearer images. This results in improved detection sensitivity, meaning smaller amounts of radioactive tracers can be used, further minimizing radiation exposure for patients.
Why Perovskites are Game-Changers
The key advantage of perovskites lies in their superior stopping power and excellent charge transport properties. This allows for thinner detectors with better spatial resolution, while maintaining high sensitivity. Additionally, perovskites are relatively inexpensive to produce, making them a more accessible option for wider adoption in healthcare.
A Perovskite Gamma-Ray Camera: Proof of Concept
Researchers have recently developed a prototype perovskite gamma-ray camera that demonstrates the potential of this technology. Their design uses a pixelated CsPbBr3 perovskite detector coupled with a multichannel signal readout system. Initial tests have shown impressive results, with energy resolutions surpassing current CZT systems, and significantly better spatial resolution.
How Does It Work?
Doctors insert a tiny radiotracer into the body that releases gamma rays. The perovskite detector outside collects these rays one by one, forming clear three-dimensional pictures of organs at work. The crystal’s stable structure ensures high-quality images without distortion or data loss.
Cost-Effective and Efficient Imaging
Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of perovskite-based detectors is a game-changer. Unlike the expensive CZT detectors, perovskite crystals are relatively inexpensive and easier to produce. This accessibility promises to make advanced nuclear imaging techniques available to a broader range of hospitals and clinics worldwide. In essence, this advancement democratizes access to superior medical care.
Exceptional Results and Future Potential
These advancements translate to clearer images with reduced radiation exposure, ultimately leading to more precise diagnoses and more effective treatment strategies. This technology has the potential to revolutionize various areas of nuclear medicine, including oncology and cardiology, enhancing patient care and improving healthcare outcomes. The research shows the energy resolution achieved was 2.8% at 122 keV, 2.5% at 141 keV (99mTc), and 1.0% at 662 keV (137Cs).
Furthermore, the team achieved impressive spatial resolution of 3.2–3.8 mm, suggesting this technology could replace current methods in the near future.
Next Steps and Ongoing Research
The next step involves further refining the technology, improving its stability, and conducting larger-scale clinical trials. However, early results strongly suggest that perovskite crystals will play a significant role in the future of medical imaging, offering a more affordable and efficient method for obtaining higher-quality images and making nuclear medicine more accessible.
Reference
- Shen, N., He, X., Gao, T., Xiao, B., Wang, Y., Ren, R., Qin, H., Bayikadi, K. S., Liu, Z., Peters, J. A., Wessels, B. W., Wang, L., Ouyang, X., Wei, S., Sun, Q., Liu, X., Lai, Y., Ouyang, X., Chai, Z., . . . He, Y. (2025b). Single photon γ-ray imaging with high energy and spatial resolution perovskite semiconductor for nuclear medicine. Nature Communications, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63400-7
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