Measurement of angular correlation changes in double-photon emission nuclides using ultrasound irradiation

Our group has been developing DPECT (Double Photon Emission CT) to enhance nuclear medicine diagnostics using cascade nuclides that emit multiple gamma rays simultaneously. It is possible to detect the local environment around the nuclide by examining the angular correlation of the emitted cascade gamma-rays. In this study, with the goal of developing a new imaging method combining ultrasound and nuclear medicine, we investigated the effect of ultrasound on cascade gamma-ray emission and found that the angular correlation could be changed by a micro-electric field around 111In in an aqueous solution caused by ultrasound irradiation. Using 8 x 8 array of GAGG scintillators as a detector and Hamamatsu Photonics 8 x 8 MPPCs as a photomultiplier, eight detectors were used and arranged in a ring shape to surround the point source 111In from 360 degrees direction. For the readout system, using a dynamic ToT board, read out its channel information, energy information as ToT signal, and detection time information simultaneously and independently concerning gamma-ray detection. We measured the angular correlation change with four types of ultrasound intensities of 0.05 V, 0.10 V, 0.15 V, and 0.20 V input voltage, and found that the gamma-ray emission angle distribution decreased by about up to 5% around the 90 degrees direction and increased by about up to 5% around 0 degrees and 180 degrees for an ultrasound with an input voltage of 0.15 V or higher.