Adjunct Professor
Christian Langton

Biography

Research theme: Injury Prevention & Trauma Management

Research program: Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging & Characterisation

Professor Langton developed the technique of broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) for the assessment of osteoporosis, being awarded a DSc in 2007 for his extensive research contributions to the science, technology and clinical utility. He has over 3500 publication citations with a current h-index of 29. BUA was recognised in 2006 (EurekaUK) by Universities UK as one of the top “100 discoveries and developments in UK Universities that have changed the world” over the past 50 years, covering the whole spectrum from the arts and humanities to science and technology. In 2008, the UK’s Department of Health also recognised Professor Langton’s contributions in a publication highlighting eleven projects that have contributed to ‘60 years of NHS research benefiting patients’.   Professor Langton previously served as Sub-Dean for Research and Reach-Out within University of Hull’s Postgraduate Medical Institute, and Director of R&D Performance within Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. He was appointed Professor of Medical Physics at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in February 2008 and Head of Physics in 2010. In January 2012 he was appointed Assistant Dean (Research) for the new Science & Engineering Faculty (SEF).   He delivered the 2013 Queensland Youth Physics Lecture Tour titled ‘This is QUIC!’; covering 6,000km and over 20 schools, the presentations concluded with ‘Langton’s Philosophies’ of grasping fortuitous opportunities, being your best and enjoying what you do.
Research areas

• Ultrasound Transit Time Spectroscopy (UTTS): Characterisation of Complex Porous Composites

 Langton has recently proposed that the primary attenuation mechanism associated with ultrasound characterisation of complex porous composites such as cancellous bone is phase interference due to variations in propagation transit time. Considering an array of parallel ‘sonic rays’, a transit time spectrum may be experimentally derived by deconvolution of ultrasound signals with, and without, the test sample; quantitative analysis providing information on its volume fraction and structure. It is envisaged that UTTS has the potential to provide for the first time using ultrasound, a WHO T-Score clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis.                                                                                                                      Further research is developing a Unified Model for all potential signal inputs and composite propagation media, with potential applications including characterisation of visco-elastic tissues and improvement of conventional clinical ultrasound imaging performance.  

• Ultrasound-Guided Robotic Intervention: Real-Time Tracking of Tumour Movement DuringRadiotherapy                        

We have created a 'proof of concept' system consisting of two robotic arms, one to facilitate user-controlled movement of a virtual tumour (gel dosimeter); the other to manipulate a 3D ultrasound transducer. It is envisaged that tumour tracking will facilitate quantification of dosimetric consequences associated with movement during radiation therapy delivery and inform modifications to the prescribed dose of subsequent fractions.  

• Quantitative 3D Imaging: Ultrasound Computed Tomography System

A 'proof of concept' system has been developed utilising a robotic arm to facilitate rotation and translation of two aligned phased-array transducers, each controlled by a separate Olympus Omniscan instrumentation unit to facilitate maximum field size. Clinical applications considered to date include gel dosimeters for radiation therapy and quantitative imaging of long bones. A clinical scanner is envisaged with clinical applications including paediatric subjects, complex trauma, and fatigue fracture prediction in elite athletes and armed forces personnel.  

• Quantitative 3D Imaging: Flat-Bed Scanner

By translating a phased-array transducer under motor-control, a quantitative 3D mapping may be created. Clinical applications considered to date include identification of breast lesions and skeletal assessment of very-low birthweight premature neonates. 

• Quantitative 3D Imaging: Free-Hand Bone Imaging

By combining a series of 'free-hand' images of known orientation, we may create an accurate rendering of a bone surface; a clinical example being bespoke fracture plates, achieved by scanning a subject's contra-lateral limb. We are also developing a technique to image bone implants such as screws and plates that incorporates a semi-automated spatial correction associated with the velocity disparity between soft-tissues and cortical bone.  

• Quantitative 3D Imaging: Tropical Healthcare SmartPhone Scanner

Noting the geographical Tropics encompasses most of the Developing World, a low-cost, battery-powered, cordless, hand-held scanner is being developed utilising a SmartPhone’s screen and inclinometers.  

• Combined Diagnostic-Therapeutic Transducer

The potential to develop an ultrasound transducer that delivers both diagnostic (short low-intensity) and therapeutic (long high-intensity) ultrasound signals is being investigated. Such a system would have significant potential to be combined with enhanced contrast / drug delivery micro-capsules.