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Michael A King PhD

TitleProfessor
InstitutionUMass Chan Medical School
DepartmentRadiology
AddressUMass Chan Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester MA 01655
Phone774-442-4255
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    Other Positions
    InstitutionT.H. Chan School of Medicine
    DepartmentRadiology
    DivisionNuclear Medicine

    InstitutionMorningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
    DepartmentBiochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology


    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    State University of New York, Oswego, Oswego, NY, United StatesBAPhysics
    State University of New York, Albany, Albany, NY, United StatesMSPhysics
    University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United StatesPHDRadiation Biology & Biophysics

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse overview

    Nuclear Medicine Physics Imaging Research Interests

    • Correction for causes of image degradation in nuclear medicine such as attenuation, distance-dependent spatial-resolution, and scatter
    • Detection, estimation, and correction of all forms of patient motion during imaging
    • Tomographic image reconstruction for SPECT and PET.
    • Combination of CT with SPECT and PET
    • Design of the next generation of SPECT Imaging Systems
    • Assessment of image quality by task performance studies using human and numerical observers.
    • Quantification of activity and assessment of physiological function.
    • Image segmentation and computer vision applications in nuclear medicine.
    • Reduction in radiation dose to patients and personnel
    • Applications of Deep Learning in Nuclear Medicine

    One example of the research accomplishments of the laboratory is our work on the detection and compensation of patient motion during the up to 16 minute period which the patient is required to remain motionless for nuclear medicine studies. We have taken the approach of combining estimates of patient motion as determined from the nuclear medicine images themselves with information from our visual-tracking system (VTS) which tracks the motion of retro-reflective markers on stretchy bands wrapped about the patient to provide a combined correction of respiratory and bodily motion. Once motion is determined it is corrected by inclusion in iterative reconstruction as illustrated in the following figure. These investigations are funded by NIH grant R01-HL122484.

    Clinical SPECT
    Clinical SPECT images showing benefits of respiratory motion correction (RM) as noted in top row versus second row which is without RM correction.

    Another example of our current interests is the development of a multi-pinhole collimator (MPH) for use on one gamma-camera head of a general purpose SPECT system in combination with a fan-beam collimator on the second camera head for high resolution / sensitivity imaging of the striatal region of the brain in I-123 DaTscan imaging for Parkinson’s Disease. A rendering of the collimator is shown below followed by reconstructed simulated images of the strata for MPH, Fan, and Combined imaging. These investigations are funded by NIH grant R01-EB022092.

    MPH collimator
    Rendering of the MPH collimator showing the aperture plate with 9 pinholes.
    XCAT
    A. Example XCAT transverse slice multi-pinhole (MPH) collimator noise-free reconstructions through substantia nigra (left) and the caudate and putamen (right) for 15, 30, and 60 angles for VOI over striata. B. Same for low-energy ultra-high-resolution (LEUHR) fan-beam only collimator reconstruction. C. Same for combined reconstruction using MPH and LEUHR fan-beam collimators. D. Matching slices through original XCAT DaTscan source distribution for substantia nigra (top), and caudate and putamen (bottom) with 8:1 striatal to rest of brain  concentration ratio, and no activity in the ventricles. Note that separation of caudate and putamen can be seen in combined reconstruction.

    The third example of our current investigations is the development of a multi-detector-module multi-pinhole (MPH) SPECT brain-imaging system ideally suited for quantitative dynamic and high-spatial-resolution static SPECT imaging. Dynamic imaging will be enabled by obtaining sufficient angular sampling without the need for rotation. The system will automatically adapt its imaging characteristics (aperture size and number of pinholes open for imaging) in response to the imaging tasks and individual patients. It will thereby optimize lesion detection and quantification, as well as provide optimal data for pharmacokinetic analysis within structures throughout the brain. The prototype design for this system is illustrated in the following computer aided design (CAD) drawings.  These investigations are funded by NIH grant R01-EB022521.

    Frontal view SolidWorks CADRear view SolidWorks CAD
    Shown left is a frontal view and right is a view from behind of SolidWorks CAD renderings of the proposed prototype configuration of the 23 detectors of the system dedicated to brain SPECT imaging. Shown are detector modules with MPH aperture plates towards the brain and circular scintillation detector crystals opposed to them.

    Current Teaching

    Physics of Radiology for Residents Nuclear Medical Physics for Cardiologists A year long course starting in August each year consisting of one-hour lectures plus quizzes on Wednesday mornings each week.

    Physics Review for Radiology Residents Taking the ABR Exam Nuclear Medical Physics for Cardiologists: Lectures, demonstrations, and practice question review for physics portion of ABR exam from January to June.

    List of Graduate Students and Post-Doctoral Fellows List of Graduate Students

    Honors and Awards

    1. Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Oswego in 1969
    2. Anne-Dorte Achtert, 4th year medical student from Humboldt University, Berlin. Advisor for 1 year research fellowship under Biomedical Sciences Exchange Program, 1996-1997. Manuscript based on directed research (JNC 5:144-152, 1997) won the Best Scientific Paper Award from the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology for 1998.
    3. Daniel deVries, thesis advisor for Doctor's degree (1996) in Biomedical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Paper based on thesis work (JNM 40:1011-1023, 1999) received The Journal of Nuclear Medicine's First Place Award for Outstanding Basic Science Manuscript for 1999.
    4. Ed Hoffman Memorial Award for Outstanding Scientific Contributions to the Field of Computers and Instrumentation in Nuclear Medicine. From Society of Nuclear Medicine Computer and Instrumentation Council. June 5, 2006.
    5. Teacher of the Year Award for excellence in teaching presented by the residents of the Department of Radiology, UMMS, June 11, 2008.
    6. IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society 2015 Edward J Hoffman Medical Imaging Scientist Award for contributions to clinical nuclear medicine imaging, especially compensation for realistic physical effects and motion in image reconstruction, emission and transmission imaging geometries, and task-based evaluation methods. Nov 4, 2015.
    7. Charter Member of the Biomedical Imaging Technology-A Study Section, Center for Scientific Review, NIH, from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2020.
    8. Fellow Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. June 14, 2020

    Current Grant Support

    1. NIH, No R01-EB022092, Combined Multi-Pinhole and Fan-Beam Brain SPECT. M. A. King, PI, 5/18/2016-2/29/2021 (no cost extension).
    2. NIH, No. R01 EB022521, AdaptiSPECT-C: A Next-Generation, Adaptive Brain-Imaging SPECT System for Drug Discovery and Clinical Imaging, M. A. King, contact PI, L. Furenlid, MPI, G. Zubal, MPI, 9/1/2016-8/30/2021.
    3. NIH, No. R21 EB027250, Wave-Cam: A novel micro-radar imaging array for non-rigid motion estimation in hybrid medical imaging, C. Lindsay, PI, 9/21/2019 – 6/30/2022, Role: Co-investigator.
    4. NIH, No. R01 EB029315, Improving Pediatric SPECT Imaging: Enhanced Lesion Detection with Dose Reduction through Advanced Reconstruction and Motion Correction, M. A. King, contact PI, F. Fahey, MPI, Y. Yang, MPI, 6/01/2020 – 0/29/2024.
    5. NIH, No. R01 HL154687, Optimization of diagnostic accuracy, radiation dose, and patient throughput for cardiac SPECT via advanced and clinically practical cardiac-respiratory motion correction and deep learning, W. Wernick, contact PI, M. A. King, MPI, 06/01/20-05/31/24.
    6. NIH, No. R15 HL150708, Attenuation correction strategies for myocardial perfusion imaging using dual-gated, M. Jin, PI 8/05/2020 – 07/31/2023, $300,000, Role: Co-investigator.


    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
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    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Soares EJ, Byrne CL, Glick SJ, Appledorn CR, King MA. Implementation and evaluation of an analytical solution to the photon attenuation and non-stationary resolution reconstruction problem in SPECT. IEEE Trans Nucl Sci. 1993; 40:1231-1237.
    2. Hademenos GJ, Ljungberg M, King MA, Glick SJ. A Monte Carlo investigation of the dual photopeak window scatter correction method. IEEE Trans Nucl Sci. 1993; 40:179-185.
    3. Clarke LP, Cullom SJ, Shaw R, Reece C, Penney BC, King MA, Silbiger M. Bremsstrahlung imaging using the gamma camera: Factors affecting attenuation. J Nucl Med. 1992; 33:161-166.
    4. Ljungberg M, King MA, Strand SE. Quantitative SPECT: Verification for sources in an elliptical water phantom. Eur J Nucl Med. 1992; 19:838-844.
    5. King MA, Glick SJ, Penney BC. Activity quantitation in SPECT: A comparison of three attenuation correction methods in combination with pre reconstruction restoration filtering. IEEE Trans Nucl Sci 38. 1991; 38:755-760.
    6. Glick SJ, Penney BC, King MA. Filtering of SPECT reconstructions made using Bellini's attenuation correction method: A comparison of three pre reconstruction filters and a post reconstruction Wiener filter. IEEE Trans Nucl Sci. 1991; 38:663-669.
    7. Penney BC, King MA, Knesaurek K. A projector, back projector, pair which accounts for the two dimensional depth and distance dependent blurring in SPECT. IEEE Trans Nucl Sci. 1990; 37:681-686.
    8. Penney BC, King MA, Glick SJ. Restoration of combined conjugate images in SPECT: Comparison of a new Wiener filter and the image dependent Metz filter. IEEE Nucl Sci. 1990; 37:707-712.
    9. Glick SJ, King MA, Knesaurek K, Burbank K. An investigation of the stationarity of the 3D modulation transfer function. IEEE Trans Nucl Sci. 1989; 36:973-977.
    10. Coleman M, King MA, Glick SJ, Knesaurek K, Penney BC. Investigation of the modulation transfer function and the scatter fraction in conjugate view SPECT restoration filtering. IEEE Trans Nucl Sci. 1989; 36:969-972.
    11. King MA, Coleman M, Leppo JA. Considerations for cardiac imaging with indium 111 labeled radiopharmaceuticals. J Nucl Med Tech. 1989; 17:53-57.
    12. Graham MM, Links JM, Lewellen TK, King MA, Croft BY, Wong DF, Esser PD, Goris ML. Considerations in the purchase of a nuclear medicine computer system. J Nucl Med. 1988; 29:334-342.
    13. King MA, Glick SJ, Penney BC, Schwinger RB, Doherty PW. Interactive visual optimization of SPECT pre reconstruction filtering. J Nuc Med. 1987; 28:1192-1198.
    14. Schwinger RB, Cool SL, King MA. Area weighted convolution interpolation for data re projection in SPECT. Medical Physics. 1986; 13:350-353.
    15. King MA, Schwinger RB, Penney BC. Variation in the count-dependent Metz filter with imaging system MTF. Medical Physics. 1986; 13:139-149.
    16. King MA, Miller TR. Use of non-stationary temporal Wiener filter in nuclear medicine. Eur J Nuc Med. 1985; 10:458-461.
    17. Bianco JA, Filiberti AW, Baker SP, King MA, Nalivaika LN, Leahey D, Doherty PW, Alpert JS. Ejection fraction and heart rate determine diastolic peak filling rate at rest and during exercise. Chest. 1985; 88:107-113.
    18. King MA, Barnes GT. Exposure uniformity considerations in slit radiography. Med Phys. 1983; 10:4-9.
    19. Miller TR, Sampathkumaran KS, King MA. Rapid digital Filtering. J Nucl Med. 1983; 24:625-628.
    20. King MA, Doherty PW, Schwinger RB, Jacobs DA, Kidder R, Miller TR. Fast count dependent digital filtering of nuclear medicine images. J Nucl Med. 1983; 24:1039-1045.
    21. King MA, Doherty PW, Rosenberg R, Cool S. Array processors: An introduction to their architecture, software, and applications in nuclear medicine. J Nucl Med. 1983; 24:1072-1079.
    22. King MA, Doherty PW, Schwinger RB, Penney BC. Two dimensional filtering of SPECT images using the Metz and Wiener filters. Med Phys. 1983; 10:876-880.
    23. King MA, Doherty PW. A computer program for reconstruction of images from a scanning gamma camera. Comp Prog in Biomed. 1982; 14:115-120.
    24. Ansell J, Parilla N, King M, Fournier L, Szymanski I, Doherty P, VanderSalm T, Cutler B. Survival of auto transfused red blood cells recovered from the surgical field during cardiovascular surgery. J Thor Card Surg. 1982; 84:387-391.
    25. Yester MV, Barnes GT, King MA. Experimental measurements of the scatter reduction obtained in mammography with a scanning multiple slit assembly. Medical Physics. 1981; 8:158-162.
    26. King MA, Casarett GW, Weber DA, Burgener FA, O'Mara RE, Wilson GA. A study of irradiated bone: Part III. Scintigraphic and radiographic detection of radiogenic osteosarcomas. J Nuc Med. 1980; 21:426-431.
    27. Yester MV, Barnes GT, King MA. KVp bootstrap sensitometry. Radiology. 1980; 136:785-786.
    28. King MA, Casarett GW, Weber DA. A study of irradiated bone: Part I. Histopathologic and physiologic changes. J Nuc Med. 1979; 20:1142-1149.
    29. King MA, Kilpper RW, Weber DA. A model for local accumulation of bone imaging radiopharmaceuticals. Journal of Nuclear Medicine. 1977; 18:1106-1111.
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