Development of a PET detection system prototype with depth of interaction capability

Funded Activity Summary

This development project invovles the development of a slim-line Positron Emission Tomogrphy (PET) detection sub-module, the crucial component of PET scanners, that is small and extremely flexible. It is planned to utilize this module in the design of customized new commercial PET scanners ideal for diagnosing human brain and breast disorders. The development will proceed in collaboration with Insight Oceania-ADAC, Sydney. Insight Oceania-ADAC are very excited by the potential applications and future markets (Australia and overseas) of the newly developing PET detection sub-modules for dedicated PET scanners. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a functional imaging tool, which is able to quantify physiological and biochemical processes in vivo, using short-lived cyclotron-produced radiotracers. PET is emerging as an extremely important diagnostic procedure used in the early detection of cancers, neurological diseases and as an aid in treatment monitoring and drug development. The unique advantage of PET over anatomical imaging techniques, such as X-ray CT and MRI, arises from its ability to measure changes in tumour biology, at the molecular level, prior to anatomical changes in involved tissues, using trace amounts of a radiolabelled compound (radiotracer). The full potential of PET however, is not being completely utilized due to constraints within the current designs of PET scanners. When used to its full potential PET, in principle, would be an excellent diagnostic and treatment monitoring tool for breast cancer, brain tumours and other neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, post stress disorder, dementia, and depression. Lack of flexibility in current PET scanner designs to date has meant that no commercial human brain or breast imaging scanners exist. Pilot project data proved the feasibility of our new flexible PET detection module design.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2001

End Date: 01-01-2003

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Development Grants

Funding Amount: $360,906.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical Physics

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Accurate measurement of gamma photon interaction position | Brain tumour and breast cancer diagnosis | Dedicated human brain and breast and small animal PET design | Flexible detetctor module design for customised PET scanners | Improve PET image resolution using photodetector arrays | Increase patient accessibility and throughput | Neurological disease diagnosis e.g. epilepsy, Parkinson's | Post and in-situ radiation treatment monitoring | Quantitative measure of radiotracer uptake in lesion | Smaller lesion identification than MRI for example

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