University of Tübingen, Mediso partner to develop whole body preclinical PET insert

University of Tübingen and Mediso Ltd announced today at the 4^th Tübingen PET/MR Workshop to enter into a collaboration to develop a whole body preclinical PET insert based on silicon photomultiplier sensor technology. This system can be inserted into a high field (7T) preclinical MRI scanner to enable simultaneous PET/MR imaging.

Without a doubt, combination of these non-invasive imaging techniques, positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is advancing the field of molecular imaging and it is entering as a standard research tool in oncology, neurology, inflammation, and drug development. Although several PET/MRI prototype systems have been developed for preclinical imaging, commercial systems for simultaneous PET/MRI are not yet available.

"This new sensor technology allows to move the PET ring inside a high field MRI machine and acquire PET data during MRI scans simultaneously, while minimising any compromise on PET sensitivity and overall image quality," says Professor Bernd Pichler, head of the Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy.

"This new PET detector module is optimized for whole body preclinical imaging with sub-millimeter spatial resolution," says Istvan Bagamery, managing director of Mediso Ltd. Although the new detector debuts as an insert, it will also replace the conventional PET detectors in the nanoScan products. "In addition, the new detector complements very well our new range of MRI products based on cryogen-free technology, therefore it serves as a basis for our next generation pre-clinical PET/MRI and PET/CT products."