Innovation and Breakthroughs in Medical Imaging Technology: The Pioneering Journey of Xin Zhou's Team

    Recently, Professor Xin Zhou from the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences appeared on the program "Open a Lecture" to introduce his team’s 15-year breakthrough: the world’s first clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for hyperpolarized gas in human lungs. This innovation marks the first time this vital organ can be clearly visualized through medical imaging.

    Due to its high air content and low water density, the lung has long been a “black hole” in traditional MRI. Confronted with the high incidence of pulmonary diseases in China, Xin Zhou took on this world-class challenge in 2003. After 15 years of persistent effort, his team developed a device capable of generating 3D lung gas images within just 3.5 seconds. This advancement not only enhances diagnostic efficiency and accuracy but has also been included in China’s medical service pricing guidelines.

    Addressing public concerns about the term “nuclear” in MRI, Xin Zhou clarified that it refers to atomic nuclei and is unrelated to nuclear radiation. The procedure is safe, non-invasive, and free of ionizing radiation. Patients simply inhale a small amount of xenon gas and hold their breath briefly to enable precise 3D imaging of lung ventilation, offering comprehensive information for clinical diagnosis.

    More excitingly, Xin Zhou revealed that his team is already developing a new generation of MRI technology. In the near future, patients may receive thorough and accurate diagnoses from a single exam, eliminating the need for repeated visits.

    Additionally, Xin Zhou highlighted the potential applications of functional MRI in areas such as lie detection. With fMRI acting as a powerful “window into the brain,” scientists can now directly observe neural activity associated with deception. This technology significantly improves the accuracy of lie detection and may even position it as a future candidate for Nobel Prize-level recognition.