Dark Matter and its Role in Medical Technology

Dark matter is the invisible puzzle of the universe. Many believe the universe is made up of atoms and atoms only, but in truth, dark matter makes up 85% of it. The concept of dark matter was first proposed in the early 20th century, by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky. While studying the Coma galaxy cluster in the 1930s, he noticed that the galaxies within the cluster were moving much faster than could be explained by the visible matter alone. He coined the term ‘dark matter’ to account for the missing mass required to produce the observed gravitational effects. Hence it does not emit, absorb, or reflect light.

Dark matter as a concept is primarily based on astrophysics and cosmology, the technology and methods used in its study have shown significant development and its research has helped gain many medical achievements.

To prove and study dark matter, technology such as silicon detectors are used to detect particles. They are also employed in digital X-rays for better imaging and diagnostics.

Additionally, radiation therapy is also used to detect low levels of radiation. These advancements in research of dark matter enhance the radiation therapy used to treat cancer, improve precision, and minimize harmful exposure of healthy tissue in the human body.

Other datasets generated in dark matter research have spurred the development of advanced data analysis techniques. These methods are now being repurposed to handle complex medical data, aiding in diagnostics, treatment planning, and understanding disease progression. Machine learning algorithms, initially designed to identify patterns in astronomical data, are now enhancing the accuracy of medical imaging, improving early detection and treatment outcomes.

Xemis

Researchers at IMT Atlantique have been investigating dark matter as part of the XENON international collaboration. Their approach, which uses liquid xenon, brings us closer to finding the answer to the question: what is dark matter made of?

Although the answer to this mystery is still unknown, the team's fundamental work in physics has already given rise to new ideas in medicine.

The innovations produced by the XENON collaboration have proven to be extremely useful for medical imaging. XEMIS (Xenon Medical Imaging System) is a project which has been in the works for a bit.

Currently, there are two main types of medical scanners: the CT scanner and the PET scanner. However, both devices have a size limit, which is called the ‘parallax effect’. Since the sensors face the center of the tube, their detection capacity is not the same in every direction around the patient.

Although XEMIS visually looks similar to the PET scanner, there is no need to move sensors during the scan, it consists of a tube with xenon-filled walls. Each atom of liquid xenon surrounding the patient acts as a sensor. Now, there is no longer any need to move the sensors and work one bit at a time. XEMIS provides a more precise image or the same quality image in a shorter amount of time.

In conclusion, while dark matter itself remains a cosmic mystery, the technological advancements driven by its study and role are having a profound impact on medical science. These contributions are enhancing diagnostic tools, improving treatments, and ultimately advancing healthcare.

Written by Maria Sarwat Nadeem