Development of a three-dimensional refraction-contrast imaging system in the mesoscopic region of pathological specimens.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K12709
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90130:Medical systems-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Butsuryo University (2022-2023); Hokkaido University of Science (2021)
• Principal Investigator: SHIMAO Daisuke 大阪物療大学, 保健医療学部, 教授 (20404907)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 屈折コントラスト / CT / 病理標本

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Refraction contrast imaging, which excels in the delineation of biological soft tissue, improves spatial resolution as the thickness of the analyzer, which discriminates the angle of refraction of X-rays, becomes thinner. Since the current system is limited to a thickness of 350 μm, we modified the current system by developing an analyzer based on a new concept that offers the possibility of further thinning while maintaining a certain field of view size.
We have succeeded in developing a type of analyzer with a slit in the upper part of the analyzer that hangs vertically under its own weight, achieving a uniform field of view and long-term stability that enables CT imaging with a field of view size of 15 mm x 20 mm and a thickness of 100 μm. When the pathology specimen (prostate) was tested, glandular ducts, glandular cavity, urethra, and micro calculi were delineated, and the image approached the stained pathology image.

Free Research Field

診療画像技術学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

顕微鏡下での2次元的な観察による現状の病理診断は、病変の3次元的な把握や病変の存在が不明確な場合に観察領域の選定が困難となるという問題を抱えている。X線の屈折を画像コントラストとする屈折コントラスト画像法は軟部組織の描出に優れるため、10μmを切る空間解像度をもつ屈折コントラストCT像が得られるようになれば、現状の病理診断の弱点を補完するものとなることが期待される。
また、本研究で開発した手法により各種の病理標本の屈折コントラストCT像を集積することで「３次元X線病理診断学」の提唱や「メゾスコピック解剖生理学」なる新たな研究領域の創生が期待される。