PARTICLE PHYSICS IN MEDICAL IMAGING

Many forms of medical imaging, like the conventional X-ray imaging, depend on another technology developed for particle physics: particle detectors. The primary medical image is developed by using photons, which is further moved into electrical form. The forerunners of the detectors used in many PET scanners were developed for a particle physics experiment at CERN. They are made of chrystals which glow when particles like gamma ray hit them. A prototype of a new PbW4-scintillator for PET-technology developed in the Chrystal Clear Collaboration established in 1990 is under development around CERN. In March 2003 a demo-version will be finished. A commercial version of the equipment is expected to be ready in 2004.



A PET SCANNER – TOOL FOR MEDICAL IMAGING                                                 CRYSTALS








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