Numerical simulation of novel concept 4D cardiac microtomography for small rodents based on all-optical Thomson scattering X-ray sources

Year: 2019

Authors: Panetta Daniele; Labate Luca; Billeci Lucia; Di Lascio Nicole; Esposito Giuseppina; Faita Francesco; Mettivier Giovanni; Palla Daniele; Pandola Luciano; Pisciotta Pietro; Russo Giorgio; Sarno Antonio; Tomassini Paolo; Salvadori Piero A.; Gizzi Leonida A.; Russo Paolo

Autors Affiliation: Ist Fisiol Clin, CNR, I-56124 Pisa, Italy; Ist Nazl Ottica, CNR, I-56124 Pisa, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Pisa, I-56127 Pisa, Italy; Univ Napoli Federico II, Dipartimento Fis Ettore Pancini, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Lab Nazl Sud, I-95123 Catania, Italy; Ist Bioimmagini & Fisiol Mol, CNR, I-90015 Cefalu, Italy.

Abstract: Accurate dynamic three-dimensional (4D) imaging of the heart of small rodents is required for the preclinical study of cardiac biomechanics and their modification under pathological conditions, but technological challenges are met in laboratory practice due to the very small size and high pulse rate of the heart of mice and rats as compared to humans. In 4D X-ray microtomography (4D mu CT), the achievable spatio-temporal resolution is hampered by limitations in conventional X-ray sources and detectors. Here, we propose a proof-of-principle 4D mu CT platform, exploiting the unique spatial and temporal features of novel concept, all-optical X-ray sources based on Thomson scattering (TS). The main spatial and spectral properties of the photon source are investigated using a TS simulation code. The entire data acquisition workflow has been also simulated, using a novel 4D numerical phantom of a mouse chest with realistic intra- and inter-cycle motion. The image quality of a typical single 3D time frame has been studied using Monte Carlo simulations, taking into account the effects of the typical structure of the TS X-ray beam. Finally, we discuss the perspectives and shortcomings of the proposed platform.

Journal/Review: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS

Volume: 9      Pages from: 8439-1  to: 8439-12

More Information: This work was funded from the Italian MIUR through the PRIN project “Preclinical Tool for Advanced Translational Research with Ultrashort and Ultraintense X-ray Pulse” (prot. 20154F48P9). L.L., L.A.G. and P.T. also acknowledge funding from the European Union´s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 653782 (EuPRAXIA project), and from the MIUR funded Italian research Network ELI-Italy (D.M. n. 631/16). We would like to thank Dr. Maurizio Varanini for his assistance in the analysis of ECG sequences from rats used to generate the numerical phantom.
KeyWords: micro-CT; cadiovascular imaging; ultrafast lasers; numerical simulation; computed-tomography; elctron bunches; animal-models; laser-pulses; femtosecond; performance; system; C57BL/6; GEANT4
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44779-y

ImpactFactor: 3.998
Citations: 8
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