Summary: The unique characteristics of Synchrotron Radiation such as the source spatial coherence, the high intensity and the possibility to use monochromatic beams offer new opportunities to apply novel X-ray imaging techniques to a variety of disciplines. At the SYRMEP (SYnchrotron Radiation for MEdical Physics) beamline of Elettra, an extensive research program in bio-medical imaging has been developed since 1997. Novel phase-sensitive techniques such as PHase Contrast (PHC) and Diffraction Enhanced Imaging (DEI) have applied to different areas of medical imaging, such mammography, soft tissue imaging, studies of bones and cartilages, imaging of small animals, etc.
The successful results obtained by PHC mammography with in vitro tissue samples led us to go ahead with the clinical validation of the technique on a restricted number of patients selected by radiologists, according to a predefined recruitment protocol.
Patients' examinations are performed in a new radiological unit realized adjacent to the existing beamline. The safety system has been completely redesigned to guarantee the compliance with current radiation protection guidelines.
A brief overview of the beamline highlights and some studies with patients are presented.
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(*) Biodata: Giuliana Tromba has been researcher at the Elettra Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory since 1989. At the beginning of her activity she was involved in the Health Physics and Radiation Protection programs. In this framework she developed experience in shielding calculations and Monte Carlo simulation codes, in radiation dosimetry and monitoring. She was one of the proposers of the SYRMEP (Synchrotron Radiation for MEdical Physics) project at Elettra. She has been involved, since 1995, in the realization and development of the SYRMEP beamline and subsequently in the research project of clinical mammography with synchrotron radiation. Up to now she matured an expertise in biomedical and material science imaging using phase-sensitive techniques. At present, as a senior scientist, she is in charge of qualified expert for Radiation Protection at Elettra and responsible of the research activities at the SYRMEP beamline.
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