High Performance Multi-Modality Small Animal Imaging System

描述(申请人提供)：NIH高端仪器奖申请的广泛，长期目标是获得一种新的最先进的高性能小动物(SA)PET/SPECT/CT成像系统，用于小动物的多模式成像，使约翰霍普金斯医学研究所(JHMI)的生物医学研究人员能够获得关于正常和疾病动物所涉及的解剖、生理和生化过程的不同方面的前所未有的清晰和新的信息。拟议收购的具体目标是：(1)取代目前为JHMI研究社区服务的现有7岁以上和过时的独立小动物(SA)PET和SPECT/CT系统，以及(2)为用户提供一个集成的PET/SPECT/CT系统，允许准确配准多模式图像。为了实现这一目标，我们计划收购一个商用伽玛医疗(GM)最先进的高性能集成多模式SA PET/SPECT/CT成像系统，该系统基于单一的TriumphTM机架。GM多模SA成像系统由四个组件组成：(1)LabPET 12固定环PET子系统，具有双层LySO/LGSO闪烁体，集成了雪崩光电二极管(APD)探测器和12 cm的轴向视场；(2)SPECT子系统，具有最先进的基于最先进的固态碲化镉锌(CZT)探测器的相机模块，具有高能量分辨率，对多同位素成像特别重要，(3)配备可调谐X射线发生器和可变微焦点X射线管的高分辨率microCT子系统和特殊的脉冲X射线管也可以进行呼吸门控CT研究；(4)最先进的SA成像附件，包括同时监测温度、心电和呼吸的生理监测系统、麻醉系统、注射泵、血液计数器和输液泵，用于测量小动物的输入功能。拟议的多模式SA PET/SPECT/CT系统将安装在现有的小动物成像中心(SAIC)，以及9.4T小孔MRI系统、Xenogen IVIS 200光学成像系统和VisualSonics SA超声成像系统。这一组合代表了最完整和最先进的多模式SA成像设备。拟议设备的运作将由一个咨询委员会监督，该委员会由主计委、联合主计委和整个联合监管处的主要用户组成。咨询委员会将每年举行两次会议，审查SA成像室的运作情况，并制定政策和程序，以确保公平使用拟议设备。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The broad, long-term objective of the NIH High-End Instrumentation Award application is to acquire a new state-of-the-art high-performance small animal (SA) PET/SPECT/CT imaging system for multi-modality imaging of small animals to allow biomedical researcher at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes (JHMI) to gain unprecedentedly clear and new information on different aspects of the anatomy, physiology, and biochemical processes involved in normal and diseased animals. The specific aims of the proposed acquisition are: (1) to replace the existing over 7-year old and outdated stand-alone small animal (SA) PET and SPECT/CT systems that are currently serving the JHMI research community, and (2) to provide users with an integrated PET/SPECT/CT system that allows accurate registration of the multimodality images. To achieve the aims, we propose to acquire a commercial Gamma Medica (GM) state-of-the-art high-performance integrated multi- modality SA PET/SPECT/CT imaging system based on a single TriumphTM gantry. The GM multimodality SA imaging system consists of four components: (1) a LabPET 12 stationary ring PET subsystem with dual-layer LYSO/LGSO scintilliators integrated with avalanche photodiode (APD) detectors and with 12 cm axial field-of- view, (2) a SPECT subsystem with 2 -head state-of-the-art solid-state cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector based camera modules with high-energy resolution that is especially important for multi-isotope imaging, (3) a high-resolution microCT subsystem with tunable x-ray generator and variable micro focal-spot x-ray tube with highest achievable resolution of less than 35 micron and the special pulsed x-ray tube also allow respiratory gated CT studies, and (4) state-of-the-art SA imaging accessories including a physiological monitoring system that simultaneously monitors temperature, ECG and respiration, a anesthesia system, an injection pump, a blood counter and exfusion pump for input function measurements for small animals. The proposed multi- modality SA PET/SPECT/CT system will be housed in the existing Small Animal Imaging Center (SAIC), together with a 9.4T small bore MRI system, a Xenogen IVIS 200 optical imaging system, and a Visual Sonics SA ultrasound imaging system. This combination represents the most complete and state-of-the-art multimodality SA imaging facility. The operation of the proposed equipment will be overseen by an Advisory Committee formed by the PI, the Co-PI and the major users across JHMI. The Advisory Committee will meet twice a year to review the operation of the SA imaging suite and to set policies and procedures to assure equitable use of the proposed equipment.