Hybrid Volumetric SPECT/CT Imaging System

描述（由申请人提供）：该共享仪器提案是用混合双头容积式SPECT/CT成像系统（Brightview VCT, Philips Medical Systems, Inc.）取代双头SPECT成像系统（millennium VG, GE healthcare），目标是在较大的非啮齿动物中进行放射性核素靶向分子成像。拟议的成像系统将补充我们现有的小型和大型动物成像设备，并促进我们机构的转化研究。提议的最先进的SPECT/CT成像系统将支持耶鲁大学医学院多个目前NIH资助的研究人员的需求，这些研究人员来自耶鲁大学医学系、放射诊断学、外科和麻醉学，以及生物医学工程系。用户组从事各种项目，这些项目将利用拟议设备的不同功能。结合SPECT和x射线CT单元提供功能SPECT图像与解剖CT图像的固有配准，用于图像量化。CT图像允许校正与SPECT成像相关的衰减和部分体积误差，允许放射性示踪剂摄取的绝对定量。这个系统的特点将是一个程序的发展至关重要的目标分子成像。拟议的混合体积SPECT/CT成像将成为耶鲁大学转化动物中心（Y-TRAC）的一个组成部分，该中心正处于开发阶段，并将与大型动物饲养和手术设施以及最先进的成像资源共同定位，用于转化动物研究。该中心将很好地补充我们目前的耶鲁临床研究中心（YCCI），该中心最近由NIH CTSA资助，用于建立临床和转化研究的综合环境。资金将通过YCCI提供，以资助新的研究人员的试点项目。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This shared instrument proposal is for replacement of a dual-head SPECT Imaging System (Millenium VG, GE healthcare) with a hybrid dual-head volumetric SPECT/CT imaging system (Brightview VCT, Philips Medical Systems, Inc.), with a goal of radionuclide targeted molecular imaging in larger non-rodent animals. The proposed imaging system will complement our established facilities for imaging of both small and large animals and facilitate translational research at our institution. The proposed state- of-the-art SPECT/CT imaging system will support the needs of multiple current NIH funded investigators at Yale University School of Medicine, from the Departments of Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, and Anesthesiology, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Yale University. The user group works on a variety of projects, which would utilize different features of the proposed equipment. The combined SPECT and X-ray CT unit provides inherent registration of functional SPECT images with anatomical CT images for the purpose of image quantification. The CT images allow for correction of attenuation and partial volume errors associated with SPECT imaging, permitting absolute quantification of radiotracer uptake. This system feature will be critical for the development of a program in targeted molecular imaging. The proposed hybrid volumetric SPECT/CT imaging will become an integral part of the Yale Translational Animal Center (Y-TRAC), which is under phase development, and will co-locate large animal holding and surgery facilities with state-of-the-art imaging resources for translational animal research. This center will nicely complement our current Yale Center for Clinical Investigation(YCCI), which was recently funded by an NIH CTSA grant for establishing an integrated environment for clinical and translational research. Funds will be available through the YCCI to fund pilot projects from new investigators. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed state-of-the-art SPECT/CT imaging system will support the translational research of multiple current NIH funded investigators at Yale University School of Medicine, from the Departments of Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, and Anesthesiology, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Yale University. The imaging system will allow for the testing and validation of experimental molecular imaging agents and bioengineered blood vessels. The successful development of these types of cutting edge technologies will provide for improved and personalized health care in the future.