CHRONOS
Ultra-Fast PET Imaging for a Healthier Future
Discover the CHRONOS proposal: a breakthrough European initiative to revolutionize PET imaging with 5x lower radiation doses and 2x better image quality, making safe medical screening accessible to everyone.
The Vision: Redefining Medical Imaging
Pioneering the Future of Low-Dose, High-Precision TOF-PET Scanning
Imagine a world where advanced medical imaging is as accessible and safe as a routine X-ray. The CHRONOS project proposes a revolutionary Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography (TOF-PET) scanner with a Coincidence Time Resolution (CTR) of <40 ps — five times better than today’s clinical standards. This leap in sensitivity enables either a fivefold reduction in radiation dose or double the image clarity, empowering earlier diagnoses, improved treatment monitoring, and cost-efficient population screening. With wide-reaching applications in oncology, neurology, cardiology, and pharmacology, CHRONOS represents a paradigm shift in medical diagnostics and patient care.
Breakthrough Technology: Fastest PET Detectors Ever
From Novel Crystals to World-First Detector Architectures
At CHRONOS’s core are two disruptive innovations:
- New ultra-fast crystals using Cherenkov radiation and Cross-Luminescence, designed to generate a high density of detectable photons within 10–40 picoseconds.
- Integrated photodetector design, where the crystal is directly encapsulated in an MCP-PMT structure — maximizing photon collection speed and efficiency.
Together, these breakthroughs aim to break the 40 ps barrier, transforming how we detect gamma rays and opening the door to direct positron emission imaging.
Why It Matters: Health, Society, and Industry Impact
Enabling Population Screening, Personalized Therapy & Drug Innovation
CHRONOS goes beyond research — it addresses real-world needs:
- Healthcare: Enables safe TOF-PET scans for routine population screening, even for radiosensitive groups (≤0.5 mSv).
- Pharmaceuticals: Reduces the cost and risk of drug trials through non-invasive, ultra-sensitive PET imaging at sub-mammography doses.
- Industry: Fuels European leadership in medical imaging with sovereign technologies ready for industrial transfer (e.g., Siemens, Thalès, Luxium).
CHRONOS has the potential to cut development cycles, reduce healthcare costs, and save lives through early disease detection and optimized treatment paths.
Built by Europe’s Brightest Minds
An Interdisciplinary Consortium with Proven Expertise
CHRONOS unites six leading European research institutions and hospitals, including CEA, CERN, Tartu, FZU, IKZ, and CPPM, bringing together experts in:
- Advanced materials science and crystal growth
- Ultra-fast electronics and photodetectors
- Medical physics and Monte Carlo simulations
Backed by the PASREL hospital network, the project is embedded in real clinical environments. This team is not starting from scratch — they have 30+ years of collaboration and multiple patents in photon detection and PET technology.
From Lab to Clinic: Ready for Impact
A Clear Path Toward Clinical Prototypes and Commercialization
CHRONOS is not just a concept — it’s structured for real-world application. The project will deliver:
- Pixelated detector PoC (Proof of Concept) using arrays of small crystals and SiPMs
- Monolithic detectors using encapsulated crystals and MCP-PMT
- Full scanner simulations showing up to 40x sensitivity improvements over existing systems
With a roadmap toward clinical prototype installation at PASREL within 6 years, CHRONOS is already aligned with industrial partners and regulatory experts to ensure rapid translation and commercialization. It represents a very ambitious, high-reward investment in Europe’s technological future.