arXiv subjects

Anna Stolarz

Publications and source records attributed to Anna Stolarz.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

First ex-vivo positronium imaging of tissues with modular J-PET scanner using $^{44}$Sc radionuclide

This study presents the first ex-vivo positronium imaging of human tissues using the modular J-PET scanner with the $^{44}$Sc radionuclide. The $^{44}$Sc isotope was produced via the $^{44}$Ca(p, n)$^{44}$Sc nuclear reaction and used to perform positronium imaging of phantom composed of human adipose tissue, cardiac myxoma tissue, thrombi blood clot, and also porous polymer XAD4, and a certified reference material (CRM) made from fused silica. The experiment demonstrates the suitability of $^{44}$Sc as a positron source for positronium imaging. The performance of J-PET for positronium imaging with $^{44}$Sc was validated by proper reconstruction of the mean orthopositronium lifetime for CRM material and XAD-4 polymer. The mean ortho-positronium (oPs) lifetimes determined for adipose tissue, cardiac myxoma tissues and thrombi were consistent with results of previous experiments. The study highlights the potential $^{44}$Sc radionuclide for positronium lifetime imaging (PLI).

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2025

First Positronium Lifetime Imaging using $^{52}$Mn and $^{55}$Co with a plastic-based PET scanner

Positronium Lifetime Imaging (PLI) extends positron emission tomography by using the lifetime of positronium atoms as a probe of tissue molecular architecture. In this work, we report the first PLI measurements performed with $^{52}$Mn and $^{55}$Co using the modular J-PET. Four samples were studied in each experiment: two Certified Reference Materials (polycarbonate and fused silica) and two human tissues (cardiac myxoma and adipose). The selection of PLI events was based on the registration of two 511~keV annihilation photons and one prompt gamma in triple coincidence. From the resulting lifetime spectra we extracted the mean ortho-positronium lifetime $\tau_{\text{oPs}}$ and the mean positron lifetime $\Delta T_{\text{mean}}$ for each sample. The measured values of $\tau_{\text{oPs}}$ in polycarbonate using both isotopes matches well with the certified reference values. Furthermore, $^{55}$Co reproduced identical results for fused-silica measurements at their respective uncertainty levels. In contrast, measurements with $^{52}$Mn in fused silica show a minor deviation, which could be caused by the Parafilm spacer. In myxoma and adipose tissue, the reduced $\tau_{\text{oPs}}$ values are mainly linked to the long storage history of the samples rather than to the choice of isotope. Comparing peak-to-background ratios and spectral purity, $^{55}$Co provides cleaner PLI data under the same experimental conditions. Although $^{52}$Mn offers a longer half-life and a multi gamma cascade enhancing $\beta^{+}$ + $\gamma$ coincidences, but at the expense of higher background. In this study, we demonstrate that the applied selection criteria on the data measured with the modular J-PET can be used for PLI studies even with radionuclides with complex decay patterns.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2025

Endorsing Titanium-Scandium Radionuclide Generator for PET and Positronium Imaging

The development of PET and positronium imaging techniques is strictly related to the availability of suitable radionuclides and robust radiochemistry platforms. Among the emerging candidates, $^{44}$Sc has attracted significant interest due to its favourable physical properties, including a half-life of $\sim$4 hours, a pure $\beta^{+}$ emission profile, and the additional prompt $\gamma$-emission that enables advanced triple-photon detection schemes. These characteristics make $^{44}$Sc particularly promising for highresolution imaging and novel quantitative methodologies. However, routine clinical and preclinical implementation requires a practical, sustainable, and cost-efficient production route. In this context, we propose a titanium-scandium radionuclide generator as an optimal solution. This study focuses on optimising the synthesis of the long-lived parent isotope, $^{44}$Ti ($T_{1/2}$ = 59.1 years), from which $^{44}$Sc can be selectively eluted in a chemically pure form when needed. An analysis of various production pathways was conducted, including proton and deuteron reactions on scandium, as well as $\alpha$-particle and lithium-induced reactions on calcium, to determine the most efficient reaction parameters, target design, and expected yield. Furthermore, we identify some existing cyclotron facilities suitable for implementing this technology. Results indicate that efficient $^{44}$Ti production is achievable using proton beams in the 20-30 MeV range under extended irradiation conditions. The proposed generator system would enable routine and decentralised $^{44}$Sc supply. Its integration with the novel J-PET scanner may significantly reduce diagnostic costs and improve access to advanced PET imaging in regions with limited medical imaging infrastructure.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2025

First positronium imaging using $^{44}$Sc with the J-PET scanner: a case study on the NEMA-Image Quality phantom

Positronium Lifetime Imaging (PLI), an emerging extension of conventional positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, offers a novel window for probing the submolecular properties of biological tissues by imaging the mean lifetime of the positronium atom. Currently, the method is under rapid development in terms of reconstruction and detection systems. Recently, the first in vivo PLI of the human brain was performed using the J-PET scanner utilizing the $^{68}$Ga isotope. However, this isotope has limitations due to its comparatively low prompt gamma yields, which is crucial for positronium lifetime measurement. Among alternative radionuclides, $^{44}$Sc stands out as a promising isotope for PLI, characterized by a clinically suitable half-life (4.04 hours) emitting 1157 keV prompt gamma in 100% cases after the emission of the positron. This study reports the first experimental demonstration of PLI with $^{44}$Sc, carried out on a NEMA-Image Quality (IQ) phantom using the Modular J-PET tomograph-the first plastic scintillators-based PET scanner.

physics.med-ph↗