Peter Martone

A novel brain PET insert for the MINDView project

The Multimodal Imaging of Neurological Disorders (MINDview) project aims to develop a high resolution and sensitivity dedicated brain Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system capable of visualizing neurotransmitter pathways and their disruptions for mental disorders for diagnosis and treatment follow-up. Moreover, this compact PET system should be fully compatible with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system in order to allow its operation as a brain insert in a hybrid imaging setup with most MRI scanners. The proposed design will enable current installed MRI base to be easily upgraded to PET/MRI systems. The current design for the PET insert consists of a 3 rings configuration, 20 modules per ring, with an axial field of view of ~15 cm and a geometrical aperture of ~33 cm in diameter. When coupled to the new head Radio Frequency (RF) coil, the inner diameter of the complete PET-RF coil insert is reduced to 26 cm. Main features of the PET detector insert for the MINDView project in terms of its overall design, electronic readout, and MRI compatibility will be presented. In addition, the main parameters of the PET detector insert, such as expected spatial and energy resolution, depth of interaction (DOI) capabilities and sensitivity will be discussed in terms of the different approaches considered so far for the construction of the first MINDView prototype. Laboratory tests results associated with the current MINDView PET module concept in terms of key parameters optimisation such as scintillator crystal, photosensor configuration and signal readout will be also presented.

Concept of an upright wearable positron emission tomography imager in humans

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is traditionally used to image patients in restrictive positions, with few devices allowing for upright, brain‐dedicated imaging. Our team has explored the concept of wearable PET imagers which could provide functional brain imaging of freely moving subjects. To test feasibility and determine future considerations for development, we built a rudimentary proof‐of‐concept prototype (Helmet_PET) and conducted tests in phantoms and four human volunteers.

Development of a ring PET insert for MRI

Our research group constructed a 12-module PET detection ring composed of Hamamatsu multi-pixel photon counter (MMPC) silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detectors placed in a ring that is fully MRI compatible. This brain imager can be placed around the head of a patient (clinical setting) or subject (research setting) and allow for comfortable upright imaging. However, an alternative way to use this device, as enabled by the technology, is to indeed scan individuals in the supine position in conjuncture with current MRI systems. This PET prototype is able to image simultaneously as the MRI scan is occurring, thus maximizing co-registration and the accuracy of the assignment of metabolically active voxels to their anatomically correct counterparts as identified by the MR image. In this study, we first conducted some basic instrumentation tests to ensure the device was functioning properly outside of the MRI, and additionally scan some phantoms (Derenzo; Hoffman Brain) to assess the quality in which our brain imager is able to produce adequate images. After these initial studies, we conducted multiple different experiments inside a 3 Tesla MRI in order to see how the magnetic field would influence the operation of the PET imager and vice versa. Through simultaneous PET/MRI scanning of a Hoffman brain phantom filled with F18 radioactivity and water, it was shown that the quality of the MR image was largely unaffected by the PET imager. Furthermore, although the quality of PET imaging was affected by the RF pulsing, an acceptable PET image was nevertheless produced. As we discuss following the results, the success of this study shows that our brain imager is indeed MR compatible, and that next generation devices based on its concepts will continue to improve combined PET/MRI functionality. As two of the major advantages of this imager are the potential for low-dose scanning and its adaptability to any MRI scanner, this study suggests that PET/MRI brain imaging with low dose is in principle possible using an insert which could be adapted to any MRI scanner, using standard RF coils for that scanner.

High resolution fast stereotactic PET imager for prostate biopsy

We are developing a dedicated high resolution (sub-mm), high efficiency, and very fast (with live reconstruction) prostate PET imager composed of an endorectal PET probe and two PET panel modules placed close to the patient on the opposite side of the prostate, and operating in coincidence with the probe. The immediate live image feedback will be primarily useful in biopsy guidance. PET images will be co-registered with the images from the Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) probe that will provide the usual structural 2D or 3D information, while the PET imager will provide the metabolic information related to the biological state of the prostate. We are reporting on preliminary data acquired with the prototype imager. The major highlight is that we are achieving ∼1mm FWHM DOI resolution with the PET probe, using new monolithic MPPC arrays from Hamamatsu. But even with a non-DOI probe, we obtained good performance in this limited angle tomography problem.

A dedicated breast-PET/CT scanner: Evaluation of basic performance characteristics

PURPOSE Application of advanced imaging techniques, such as PET and x ray CT, can potentially improve detection of breast cancer. Unfortunately, both modalities have challenges in the detection of some lesions. The combination of the two techniques, however, could potentially lead to an overall improvement in diagnostic breast imaging. The purpose of this investigation is to test the basic performance of a new dedicated breast-PET/CT. METHODS The PET component consists of a rotating pair of detectors. Its performance was evaluated using the NEMA NU4-2008 protocols. The CT component utilizes a pulsed x ray source and flat panel detector mounted on the same gantry as the PET scanner. Its performance was assessed using specialized phantoms. The radiation dose to a breast during CT imaging was explored by the measurement of free-in-air kerma and air kerma measured at the center of a 16 cm-diameter PMMA cylinder. Finally, the combined capabilities of the system were demonstrated by imaging of a micro-hot-rod phantom. RESULTS Overall, performance of the PET component is comparable to many pre-clinical and other dedicated breast-PET scanners. Its spatial resolution is 2.2 mm, 5 mm from the center of the scanner using images created with the single-sliced-filtered-backprojection algorithm. Peak NECR is 24.6 kcps; peak sensitivity is 1.36%; the scatter fraction is 27%. Spatial resolution of the CT scanner is 1.1 lp/mm at 10% MTF. The free-in-air kerma is 2.33 mGy, while the PMMA-air kerma is 1.24 mGy. Finally, combined imaging of a micro-hot-rod phantom illustrated the potential utility of the dual-modality images produced by the system. CONCLUSION The basic performance characteristics of a new dedicated breast-PET/CT scanner are good, demonstrating that its performance is similar to current dedicated PET and CT scanners. The potential value of this system is the capability to produce combined duality-modality images that could improve detection of breast disease. The next stage in development of this system is testing with more advanced phantoms and human subjects.

Preclinical positron emission tomography scanner based on a monolithic annulus of scintillator: initial design study

Abstract. Positron emission tomography (PET) scanners designed for imaging of small animals have transformed translational research by reducing the necessity to invasively monitor physiology and disease progression. Virtually all of these scanners are based on the use of pixelated detector modules arranged in rings. This design, while generally successful, has some limitations. Specifically, use of discrete detector modules to construct PET scanners reduces detection sensitivity and can introduce artifacts in reconstructed images, requiring the use of correction methods. To address these challenges, and facilitate measurement of photon depth-of-interaction in the detector, we investigated a small animal PET scanner (called AnnPET) based on a monolithic annulus of scintillator. The scanner was created by placing 12 flat facets around the outer surface of the scintillator to accommodate placement of silicon photomultiplier arrays. Its performance characteristics were explored using Monte Carlo simulations and sections of the NEMA NU4-2008 protocol. Results from this study revealed that AnnPET’s reconstructed spatial resolution is predicted to be ∼1  mm full width at half maximum in the radial, tangential, and axial directions. Peak detection sensitivity is predicted to be 10.1%. Images of simulated phantoms (mini-hot rod and mouse whole body) yielded promising results, indicating the potential of this system for enhancing PET imaging of small animals.

TandemPET-A High Resolution, Small Animal, Virtual Pinhole-Based PET Scanner: Initial Design Study

Mice are the perhaps the most common species of rodents used in biomedical research, but many of the current generation of small animal PET scanners are non-optimal for imaging these small rodents due to their relatively low resolution. Consequently, a number of researchers have investigated the development of high-resolution scanners to address this need. In this investigation, the design of a novel, high-resolution system based on the dual-detector, virtual-pinhole PET concept was explored via Monte Carlo simulations. Specifically, this system, called TandemPET, consists of a 5 cm × 5 cm high-resolution detector made-up of a 90 × 90 array of 0.5 mm × 0.5 × 10 mm (pitch = 0.55 mm) LYSO detector elements in coincidence with a lower resolution detector consisting of a 68 × 68 array of 1.5 mm × 1.5 mm × 10 mm LYSO detector elements (total size = 10.5 cm × 10.5 cm). Analyses indicated that TandemPETs optimal geometry is to position the high-resolution detector 3 cm from the center-of-rotation, with the lower resolution detector positioned 9 cm from center. Measurements using modified NEMA NU4-2008-based protocols revealed that the spatial resolution of the system is ~0.5 mm FWHM, after correction of positron range effects. Peak sensitivity is 2.1%, which is comparable to current small animal PET scanners. Images from a digital mouse brain phantom demonstrated the potential of the system for identifying important neurological structures.

Investigation of a Dedicated, High Resolution PET/CT Scanner for Staging and Treatment Planning of Head and Neck Cancer

Staging of head and neck cancer (HNC) is often hindered by the limited resolution of standard whole body PET scanners, which can make it challenging to detect small areas of metastatic disease in regional lymph nodes and accurately delineate tumor boundaries. In this investigation, the performance of a proposed high resolution PET/CT scanner designed specifically for imaging of the head and neck region was explored. The goal is to create a dedicated PET/CT system that will enhance the staging and treatment of HNCs. Its performance was assessed by simulating the scanning of a three-dimensional Rose-Burger contrast phantom. To extend the results from the simulation studies, an existing scanner with a similar geometry to the dedicated system and a whole body, clinical PET/CT scanner were used to image a Rose-Burger contrast phantom and a phantom simulating the neck of an HNC patient (out-of-field-of-view sources of activity were not included). Images of the contrast detail phantom acquired with Breast-PET/CT and simulated head and neck scanner both produced object contrasts larger than the images created by the clinical scanner. Images of a neck phantom acquired with the Breast-PET/CT scanner permitted the identification of all of the simulated metastases, while it was not possible to identify any of the simulated metastasis with the clinical scanner. The initial results from this study demonstrate the potential benefits of high-resolution PET systems for improving the diagnosis and treatment of HNC.