Ronan Smith, a postdoctoral research fellow at Adelaide University, has been awarded the prestigious Physics in Medicine & Biology (PMB) Early Career Researcher Award for his groundbreaking work in X-ray velocimetry (XV). This award recognizes the best paper in PMB's 2025 Early Career Researcher Focus Collection, and Smith's research has made significant contributions to the field of lung imaging and treatment.
In his award-winning paper, "Visualising ventilation changes following endobronchial valve placement with x-ray velocimetry functional lung imaging," Smith explores the potential of XV to detect changes in lung function after the insertion of endobronchial valves (EBVs). EBVs are used to treat emphysema, a condition that damages the air sacs in the lungs, making breathing difficult. By using XV imaging, Smith's research demonstrates a non-invasive method to measure regional and local changes in airflow, providing a more accurate assessment of EBV placement.
The study, conducted on healthy sheep with lungs similar to humans, involved a pilot project. XV imaging was used to record fluoroscopic videos of individual breaths at various angles, with anatomic positioning provided by CT scans. The 4DMedical software correlated motion in the XV videos with CT data, creating a 3D map of specific ventilation in small voxels throughout the lungs. This mapping technique allowed for the calculation of mean specific ventilation and ventilation heterogeneity across lung regions.
The results were remarkable. XV imaging could visualize and quantify a reduction in airflow to areas downstream of the valves, even in regions where collapse was not visible on CT scans. This finding highlights the advantage of XV over CT in detecting changes in lung function. Smith's research has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of emphysema, as it provides a more precise tool for valve placement and verification.
One of the most exciting aspects of Smith's work is its application in a world's first pediatric clinical trial. The trial examines the feasibility of using XV imaging in children with cystic fibrosis. With around 30 children imaged so far, the researchers aim to publish their findings later this year. The study's success could lead to improved clinical decision-making and outcomes for these children, as well as open doors for other childhood diseases where XV imaging could be beneficial.
Smith's passion for his work is evident in his dedication to further applications of XV imaging. He has been working with an interdisciplinary team to understand lung function changes in various diseases, both as a research tool and an outcome measure for treatments. Additionally, Smith is exploring dark-field X-ray imaging, another novel X-ray imaging method, showcasing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical imaging.
The PMB Early Career Researcher Award is a significant recognition of Smith's contributions to biomedical physics. It acknowledges the collaborative efforts of clinicians, scientists, and the preclinical imaging facility staff. Smith's work not only advances the field of lung imaging but also serves as a powerful tool to convince funding bodies of the importance of continuing this research.
In conclusion, Ronan Smith's award-winning research in X-ray velocimetry has the potential to transform the treatment of emphysema and improve clinical decision-making for children with cystic fibrosis. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of medical imaging and his passion for interdisciplinary collaboration make him a rising star in the field of biomedical physics.
