New book features research that exploits space-age technology for medical benefits

Universities of Leicester and Nottingham research features in new book described as essential reference for surgeons, theatre staff and other key medical personnel

Research from the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham that exploits space-age technology for medical benefits is featured in a new publication.

Described as an essential reference for surgeons, theatre staff and other key medical personnel, the book, co-edited by Leicester and Nottingham scientists, includes a number of chapters that highlight research taking place within the universities.

The book, Gamma Cameras for Interventional and Intraoperative Imaging, follows from a STFC-funded workshop held in Leicester in February 2015.

Gamma cameras are traditionally large devices that are situated in nuclear medicine departments, but recent advances in detector design has enabled the production of compact gamma cameras that allow nuclear imaging at the patient bedside and in the operating theatre.

This is the first book to cover this new area of imaging, and provides a unique insight into the experimental and clinical use of small field of view gamma cameras in hospitals.

The book explores advances in the design and operation of compact gamma cameras and conducts a thorough review of current SFOV systems, before exploring the clinical applications of the technology. It is an essential reference for surgeons, operating theatre staff, clinical scientists (medical physicists), technologists, nuclear physicians and radiologists whose patients could benefit from this technology.

Professor John Lees, of the Bioimaging Unit in the University’s Space Research Centre has co-edited the book with Alan C Perkins of the University of Nottingham.

Professor Lees said:

In a new and rapidly changing area of research our book offers other researchers and clinicians a good entry point to this exciting field and discover novel technologies that will change the face of cancer imaging and diagnostics.

Professor Perkins added:

My involvement in this work has been through a fruitful collaboration with Prof Lees at the University of Leicester. By working together we have developed novel technology and introduced a small field of view hybrid gamma camera to the clinical arena offering exciting new possibilities for patients. This book provides a valuable account of both our own experience and that of other pioneers working with similar technology. This will be a valuable text for nuclear medicine personnel and surgical teams interested in using this technology.