Innovative Perovskite Camera Enables Inside-Body Imaging for Medical Diagnostics

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking imaging technology utilizing perovskite crystals to create the first high-resolution detector capable of seeing inside the human body. Traditionally, nuclear medicine scans like SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) rely on detectors made from materials such as cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) or sodium iodide (NaI), which are expensive, bulky, and produce lower-quality images. CZT detectors, while highly precise, are costly and fragile, whereas NaI detectors are more affordable but result in less sharp images.

The new perovskite-based detector overcomes these limitations by offering a cost-effective, highly sensitive, and miniaturized alternative. Led by researchers from Northwestern University and Soochow University, this detector can capture individual gamma rays with exceptional clarity, significantly enhancing nuclear medical imaging.

Perovskites are a versatile family of crystals previously known for their role in solar energy. Their application in gamma-ray detection marks a major advancement. The research team, including senior author Mercouri Kanatzidis and co-author Yihui He, focused on growing high-quality single crystals of perovskite and designing a pixelated sensor. This setup enables precise differentiation of gamma-ray energies, allowing for sharper, more detailed images, even distinguishing minute radioactive sources.

In experiments, the detector demonstrated remarkable stability and sensitivity, detecting faint signals from tracers like technetium-99m, commonly used in clinical diagnostics. The improved sensitivity means shorter scan times and lower radiation doses for patients, making procedures safer and more accessible.

This technology is being commercialized by Northwestern spinout Actinia Inc., which aims to produce affordable, high-performance detectors that can be integrated into clinical settings. Due to the ease of crystal growth and manufacturing, perovskite detectors are a promising alternative to existing options, potentially reducing costs by up to half.

Beyond immediate clinical benefits, this innovation opens new avenues for medical imaging using lower radiotracer doses, expanding access to advanced diagnostics worldwide. As the team continues to refine and scale up the technology, the future of nuclear medicine may see faster, clearer, and safer imaging becoming standard practice.

This development represents a significant leap forward, demonstrating the potential of perovskite materials to transform healthcare diagnostics and improve patient outcomes.

For more information, see the original study published in Nature Communications.