Sub-millimeter Simultaneous SPECT-CT for Imaging

描述（由申请人提供）： 我们建议开发一个单一的，台式动物扫描仪，将获得功能SPECT图像和解剖CT图像与亚毫米空间分辨率的两种成像模式。亚毫米SPECT-CT将提供一种用于小鼠非侵入性功能成像的技术，用于广泛的应用，包括开发新的放射性药物，评估新的治疗方法，以及研究转基因和基因敲除小鼠的基本生物学过程。这将允许研究人员在同一动物的多个时间点进行连续成像研究，以研究肿瘤生长，组织病理学，治疗效果和新诊断剂的作用机制。该系统将具有广泛的适用性和重大影响的研究，使用小动物，以促进我们对人类疾病过程的理解。在第一阶段，我们成功地完成了所有拟议的可行性研究，以证明SPECT/CT的伽马性能的1.3毫米的固有空间分辨率，E范围从30 keV到350 keV，和，deltaE/E=12%，在140 keV和-100 μ m的CT能力，从50 xS 0毫米CMOS数字X射线探测器。此外，我们获得了安乐死小鼠的出色双SPECT-CT图像。在第二阶段项目中，我们将完成高分辨率SPECT和透射CT子系统的集成，并开发所有必要的硬件和软件。其结果将是一个功能齐全的双模态原型扫描仪的解剖和定量代谢成像的小动物。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We are proposing to develop a single, bench-top animal scanner that will acquire both functional SPECT images and anatomical CT images with sub-millimeter spatial resolution for both imaging modalities. The sub-mm SPECT-CT will provide a technique for noninvasive functional imaging in mice for a wide range of applications, including the development of new radio-pharmaceuticals, assessment of new therapeutic approaches, and investigation of fundamental biological processes in transgenic and knockout mice. This would allow investigators to perform serial imaging studies in the same animal at multiple time points to investigate tumor growth, tissue pathology, the effects of therapy, and the mechanism of action of new diagnostic agents. The system will have wide applicability and significant impact in research that uses small animals to advance our understanding of human disease processes. During phase I we successfully completed all proposed feasibility studies to demonstrate SPECT/CT with gamma performance of 1.3mm intrinsic spatial resolution, E range from 30keV to 350keV, and,deltaE/E=12% at 140keV and - 100mu m CT capability from a 50xS0mm CMOS based digital x-ray detector. In addition, we acquired outstanding dual SPECT-CT images of euthanized mice. During the phase II project we will complete the integration of the high-resolution SPECT and transmission CT subsystems and develop all necessary hardware and software. The result will be a fully functional dual-modality prototype scanner for anatomical and quantitative metabolic imaging of small animals.