Positron emission tomography and optical tissue imaging

• US 8,183,530 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2009
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, Llc
• Original Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, Llc
• Inventors: Falen, Steven W., Hoefer, Richard A., Majewski, Stanislaw, Kross, Brian, Proffitt, James, Stolin, Alexander, Weisenberger, Andrew G., McKisson, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Application Number:
  US12/319,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20110089326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 250/363.03
• US Class Current: 250/363.03
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/419 computed tomograph
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/046 using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1603 with a combination of at least two different types of detector see provisionally also G01T1/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2985 In depth localisation, e.g. using positron emitters; Tomographic imaging (longitudinal and transverse section imaging; apparatus for radiation diagnosis sequentially in different planes, steroscopic radiation diagnosis); using external radiation sources A61B6/02

Abstract

A mobile compact imaging system that combines both PET imaging and optical imaging into a single system which can be located in the operating room (OR) and provides faster feedback to determine if a tumor has been fully resected and if there are adequate surgical margins. While final confirmation is obtained from the pathology lab, such a device can reduce the total time necessary for the procedure and the number of iterations required to achieve satisfactory resection of a tumor with good margins.

Claims

1. A compact mobile imaging system comprising:

A) a positron emission tomography imager;

B) an optical imager; and

C) a computer;

said computer having positron emission tomography data acquisition software, digital optical imaging software, and positron emission tomography image and digital optical image fusion software;

all mounted on a moveable cart and including a sample holder for retaining a sample of tissue for bimodal overlapping imaging;

said sample holder comprising;

a) a radiolucent Petri dish that holds a sample for imaging;

b) rails on the inside of the sample holder, and

c) a removable stop pin in the sample holder that positions the radiolucent Petri dish in the rails for alternately imaging under the optical imager for optical digital imaging and imaging under the PET imager for PET imaging,

wherein the moveable stop pin can be removed after optical imaging and the sample holder translated to a position for overlapping of the imaging system of imaging.