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Research
Imaging research expands focus
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Huabei Jiang (right),
Clemson professor of physics, and his clinical partner, Dr.
Clayton Gibson, of Orthopaedic Specialists of Anderson, are
exploring ways to use diffuse optical tomography in diagnosing
and treating osteoarthritis. |
 For
several years, Clemson physicist Huabei Jiang, has been working
on a laser-imaging system that enables more accurate views of breast
tissue. Cancer in pre-menopausal women tends to be more difficult
to spot because their breast tissue is denser, often fooling traditional
mammography into a false negative reading. This new imaging system
is able to detect some growths not revealed by a mammogram, and
it can also successfully predict whether tumors are benign or malignant,
which could lead to a reduction in the enormous number of biopsies
performed in the United States each year.
Now
Jiang is focusing this technology on another human malady - osteoarthritis
(OA), or degenerative joint disease. OA is a slowly progressive
disease, and a major cause of morbidity in the population over 50,
affecting more than 40 million Americans. It also imposes considerable
expense on the health care system. While there is currently no cure
for this disease, recent studies have shown that the progression
of articular damage may be modified by medical or surgical intervention
if the disease is detected early. These studies, coupled with recent
development in gene therapy, have generated substantial demand for
noninvasive techniques for detecting early changes in the joints,
when intervention is likely to have its greatest effect. While X-ray
radiography is excellent for imaging hard tissues, it is not as
effective in delineating the soft tissues in the joints. It is also
incapable of obtaining physiological information related to the
functioning of OA.
Diffuse
optical tomography (DOT), the technology being pioneered by Jiang,
is a promising method for detecting early changes in cartilage and
inflammation processes. It can also provide information about the
functioning and progression of OA. Jiang’s goal is to advance
3D DOT imaging of joint tissue. If successful, the proposed optical
imaging method will have a major impact on the ability to make early
and appropriate therapeutic interventions, routinely monitor the
progression/clinical outcome, and assist in evaluating new treatment
modalities.
Jiang’s
research garnered NIH awards of $306,064, which represents the first
of a five-year grant that could total almost $1.4 million.
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