Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Multi-energy x-ray imaging leverages multiple x-ray transmission images, each sensitive to photons in different energy ranges, to reveal disease hidden in anatomic noise. This grant outlines highly innovative methods for reducing noise in multi-energy x-ray imaging, unlocking photon-counting multi-energy imaging for real-time vascular interventions and low-dose breast-cancer classification, and enabling functional imaging of respiratory diseases at unprecedentedly-low radiation dose. The long-term goal is to leverage my unique expertise and understanding of x-ray physics and image quality to conceive and pinpoint the multi-energy techniques and technologies that will usher in unparalleled image quality. Our highly innovative approaches for noise reduction in vascular imaging combines multi-energy photon-counting x-ray imaging with advanced noise reduction methods to enable unprecedentedly high image quality for real-time vascular imaging and low-radiation-dose breast cancer imaging. Using these techniques, we aim to replace or augment the gold standard in real-time x-ray imaging for minimally-invasive vascular procedures with real-time background suppression and to reduce unnecessary breast biopsies while minimizing radiation dose. Building on our pioneering and highly innovative approach for low-dose x-ray imaging of lung function, we will combine contrast-enhancement, dual-energy imaging, tomosynthesis, advanced physics-based models and model-based iterative reconstruction for ultra-low-dose x-ray imaging of lung function in children with cystic fibrosis. Our methods will disrupt the reliance on high-radiation computed tomography and expensive magnetic resonance imaging. We also outline novel approaches for addressing non-linearities in multi-energy imaging, providing robust and tractable non-linear solutions for real-time vascular imaging. To rigorously evaluate our novel approach, we develop a general theoretical framework for assessing the performance of non-linear multi-energy methods. Ultimately, this research is the foundation for a new gold standard in x-ray guidance for vascular interventions, low-dose x-ray-based breast cancer classification to reduce unnecessary biopsies, ultra-low-dose x-ray imaging of lung function in children, and next-generation non-linear methods for multi-energy x-ray imaging. Building on my track record of attracting industry funding, this grant will support collaboration with Canadian companies leading the advancement of cutting-edge x-ray imaging technologies. Expanding upon my demonstrated history of successfully training HQP, this program will provide HQP with hands-on experience in cutting-edge x-ray imaging technology and advanced image reconstruction methods. HQP trained through this research program will be equipped to play leading roles in advancing the next generation of x-ray imaging, positioning them for highly impactful careers in the field of Medical Physics.