Advanced imaging system for Medical Applications

i-TED is a gamma-ray imaging system that was fully developed and successfully applied for nuclear astrophysics experiments at CERN n_TOF in the previous HYMNS ERC CoG. i-TED was designed for highest possible detection sensitivity, and it is also characterized by its modularity, portability and low sensitivity to neutron-induced backgrounds.

These characteristics make the developed system potentially very attractive for several emerging applications in health and life science.

Indeed, Compton imagers are expected to provide a breakthough innovation potential in the fields of i) ion-range monitoring in hadron therapy, ii) intraoperative Radio-Guided Surgery (RGS), iii) dose-monitoring in boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT), and iv) theranostics (radioisotopes that serve for both therapy and diagnostics).

Thus, the aim of this POC proposal is to perform first proof-of-concept measurements with readily available i-TED Compton cameras for demonstrating their applicability and advantages in two of these fields: (ii) intraoperative RGS and (iii) neutron dose assessment in BNCT.

We also aim at addressing the corresponding technical-readiness levels (TRLs) for each application, which seems the most convenient approach for an efficient transfer of the developed technology towards society.