Update on latest advances in time-of-flight PET

This paper provides an update on time-of-flight (TOF) PET with a focus on latest hardware developments leading to current commercial PET/CT instruments. We describe advances in scintillator development, new photosensors and associated electronics readout, and detector designs for utilization in complete systems. Next, we introduce the latest commercial PET/CT scanners based on the aforementioned technologies, and discuss the detector design choices made that are relevant to differences in the system performance. Finally, we end with a discussion of the latest performance benchmarks for improved timing in PET detectors, challenges in scaling this performance to a complete system, and the outlook towards achieving a sub-50 ps coincidence timing resolution (CTR) in a PET detector.     

Light sharing in multi-flat-panel-PMT PEM detectors

Large are a detectors, such as those used in positron emission mammography (PEM) and scintimammography, utilize arrays of discrete semtillator elements mounted on arrays of position sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PSPMT). Scintillator elements can be packed very densely (minimizing area between elements), allowing good detection sensitivity and spatial resolution. And, while new flat panel PSPMTS have minimal inactive edges, when they are placed in arrays significant dead spaces where scintillation light is undetectable are created. To address this problem, a light guide is often placed between the detector and PSPMT array to spread scintillation light so that these gaps can be bridged. In this investigation we studied the effect of light guides of various thickness on system performance. A 10×10 element array of LYSO detector elements was coupled to the center of a 2×2 array of PSPMTs through varying thicknesses (1 to 4 mm) of UV glass. The spot size of the imaged elements and distortions in the regular square pattern of the imaged scintillator arrays were evaluated. Energy resolution was measured by placing single elements of LYSO at several locations of the PSPMT array. Spatial distortions in the images of the array were reduced by using thicker light guides (3–4 mm). Use of thicker light guides, however, resulted in reduced pixel resolution and slight degradation of energy resolution. Therefore, some loss of pixel and energy resolution will accompany the use of thick light guides (minimum of 3 mm) required for optimum identification of detector elements.     

Evaluation of a dual-panel PET camera design to breast cancer imaging

We are developing a novel, portable dual-panel positron emission tomography (PET) camera dedicated to breast cancer imaging. With a sensitive area of ∼ 150 cm², this camera is based on arrays of lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) crystals (1×1×3 mm³) coupled to 11×11-mm² position-sensitive avalanche photodiodes (PSAPD). GATE open source software was used to perform Monte Carlo simulations to optimize the parameters for the camera design. The noise equivalent counting (NEC) rate, together with the true, scatter, and random counting rates were simulated at different time and energy windows. Focal plane tomography (FPT) was used for visualizing the tumors at different depths between the two detector panels. Attenuation and uniformity corrections were applied to images.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of ornithine decarboxylase from Trypanosoma brucei

Trypanosoma brucei ornithine decarboxylase, expressed and purified from E. coli, has been crystallized by the vapor diffusion method using PEG 3350 as a precipitant. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P2₁ and have cell constants of a = 66.3 Å, b = 151.8 Å, c = 83.7 Å, and β = 101.2°. While larger crystals are twinned, smaller crystals (0.4 × 0.3 × 0.05 mm³) are single.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of arylesterase from Pseudomonas fluorescens

Large crystals of arylesterase from Pseudomonas fluorescens have been grown at room temperature using ammonium sulfate as a precipitant. They grow to dimensions of 0.7 × 0.7 × 0.6 mm³ within a month. The crystals belong to the trigonal space group P3₁ (or P3₂), with unit cell dimensions of a= 147.12 Å and c= 131.08 Å. The asymmetric unit seems to contain six molecules of dimeric aryles-terase, with corresponding crystal volume per protein mass (VM ) of 2.53 ų/Da and solvent fraction of 51.5% by volume. The crystals diffract to at least 2.2 Å Bragg spacing when exposed to X-rays from a rotating-anode source. X-ray data have been collected to 2.9 Å Bragg spacing from native crystals. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Estimation of extremely small field radiation dose for brain stereotactic radiotherapy using the Vero4DRT system

The purpose of this study was a dosimetric validation of the Vero4DRT for brain stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) with extremely small fields calculated by the treatment planning system (TPS) iPlan (Ver.4.5.1; algorithm XVMC). Measured and calculated data (e.g. percentage depth dose [PDD], dose profile, and point dose) were compared for small square fields of 30 × 30, 20 × 20, 10 × 10 and 5 × 5 mm² using ionization chambers of 0.01 or 0.04 cm³ and a diamond detector. Dose verifications were performed using an ionization chamber and radiochromic film (EBT3; the equivalent field sizes used were 8.2, 8.7, 8.9, 9.5, and 12.9 mm²) for five brain SRT cases irradiated with dynamic conformal arcs.The PDDs and dose profiles for the measured and calculated data were in good agreement for fields larger than or equal to 10 × 10 mm² when an appropriate detector was chosen. The dose differences for point doses in fields of 30 × 30, 20 × 20, 10 × 10 and 5 × 5 mm² were +0.48%, +0.56%, −0.52%, and +11.2% respectively. In the dose verifications for the brain SRT plans, the mean dose difference between the calculated and measured doses were −0.35% (range, −0.94% to +0.47%), with the average pass rates for the gamma index under the 3%/2 mm criterion being 96.71%, 93.37%, and 97.58% for coronal, sagittal, and axial planes respectively.The Vero4DRT system provides accurate delivery of radiation dose for small fields larger than or equal to 10 × 10 mm².     

Evaluation of a SiPM array coupled to a Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce (GAGG:Ce) discrete scintillator

PurposeIn this study, we present the results of the evaluation of the SensL ArraySL-4 photo-detector, coupled to a 6 × 6 GAGG:Ce scintillator array, with 2 × 2 × 5 mm³ crystal size elements for possible applications in medical imaging detectors with focus in PET applications. Experimental evaluation was carried out with ²²Na and ¹³⁷Cs radioactive sources and the parameters studied were energy resolution and peak to valley ratio.MethodsArraySL-4 is a commercially available, 4 × 4 array detector covering an active area of 13.4 mm². The GAGG:Ce scintillator array used in this study has 0.1 mm thickness BaSO₄ reflector material between the crystal elements. A symmetric resistive voltage division matrix was applied, which reduces the 16 outputs of the array to 4 position signals. A Field Programmable Gate Array was used for triggering and digital processing of the signal pulses acquired using free running Analog to Digital Converters.ResultsRaw images and horizontal profiles of the 6 × 6 GAGG:Ce scintillator array produced under 511 keV and 662 keV excitation are illustrated. Moreover, the energy spectra obtained with ²²Na and ¹³⁷Cs radioactive sources from a single 2 × 2 × 5 mm³ GAGG:Ce scintillator are shown. The peak to valley ratio and the mean energy resolution values are reported.ConclusionsThe acquired raw image of the GAGG:Ce crystal array under 511 keV excitation shows a clear visualization of all discrete scintillator elements with a mean peak to valley ratio equal to 40. The mean energy resolution was measured equal to 10.5% and 9% respectively under 511 keV and 662 keV irradiation.     

Flight muscle changes in male pine engraver beetles during reproduction: the effects of body size, mating status and breeding failure

Abstract. In a pattern that is typical for bark beetles, the lateralis medius flight muscle of male pine engravers, Ips pini Say (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), was found to decrease four-fold in volume (from mean ± SE = 1.36 ± 0.06 × 10^?2 mm³ to 0.34 ± 0.06 × 10^?2 mm³) within five days of the initiation of breeding galleries, and then to regenerate gradually to functional capacity during subsequent weeks. Although there was considerable variation in the timing and extent of flight muscle regeneration in males, this variation was not a consequence of differences between small (length < 4.0 mm) and large (length ≥ 4.0 mm) males. Two subsequent experiments revealed that male pine engravers can control the timing of flight muscle regeneration. In the first experiment, the flight muscles of males that were denied mates degenerated within 5 days of gallery initiation, but then showed complete regeneration 5 days later. In the second experiment, mated males that were removed from their breeding galleries (to simulate breeding failure) also showed extensive muscle degeneration 5 days after gallery initiation, but then regenerated their flight muscles to functional capacity by the tenth day. The ability of males to regenerate their flight muscles in response to conditions at the gallery is probably adaptive because it allows them to fly in search of new breeding opportunities when they are unable to attract mates or when breeding attempts fail.     

Trypanosoma congolense: Thrombocyte survival in infected steers

Charolais steers infected with Trypanosoma congolense developed a thrombocytopenia that was first demonstrated shortly before the onset of parasitemia. The thrombocyte count progressively decreased from a level of 6 × 10⁵/mm³ on the 3rd day postinfection to l × 10⁵/mm³, its most depressed level, on the 11th day postinfection. The mean of the thrombocyte level of five infected bovines at the time of thrombocyte survival analysis was 195.6 ± 83.5 × 10³(± 2 SE) as compared to 998 ± 245.9 × 10³ in the control group. In parallel with depressed thrombocyte levels, the mean of the apparent half-lives of ⁵¹Cr-labeled thrombocytes was 1.3 ± 0.5 days as compared to 3.7 ± 0.5 days in control animals. A similar survival was noted in the apparent half-lives of ⁵¹Cr-labeled autologous and heterologous thrombocytes transfused to normal recipients.     

A task-based evaluation of PEM detector element size

Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) is a planar imaging method that utilizes arrays of discrete detector elements for the detection of radiotracer-avid breast cancer. In this investigation we have systematically studied, through computer simulations, the effect of detector element size (width and length) on breast lesion detection and localization tasks. The contrast-to-noise ratios of the spheres simulating breast lesions were calculated as a function of detector element dimension to gauge detectability. System resolution (fwhm) across the field-of-view was used as the metric for the localization task. For both tasks, individual detector elements of lyso with cross sectional dimensions of 2×2 mm (96×72 element arrays, step 2.1mm) and 3×3mm (65×49 element arrays, step 3.1 mm), and lengths of 10,15 and 20 mm were simulated. The results revealed that narrower pixel dimensions reduced the partial volume effect, while the thicker pixels increased pixel sensitivity, thus reducing noise per pixel and increasing the contrast-to-noise ratio.     

The ratio of amount of haemoglobin to total surface area of erythrocytes in mammals

The literature provides all the data needed to calculate the ratio between the amount of haemoglobin and the total surface area of erythrocytes in 54 species of mammals ranging in body mass from 2.5 g to more than 1000 kg. Analysis shows that the concentration of haemoglobin (Hb; g%) does not depend on the body mass of the mammals studied. The number of erythrocytes in 1 mm³ of blood (RBC; 10⁶×mm⁻³) is significantly lower, and the diameter of these cells significantly higher, among larger mammals as opposed to smaller ones. The result is that the total surface area of erythrocytes in 1 mm³ of blood (TSAE; mm²×mm⁻³) is significantly lower among larger mammals, while the Hb/TSAE ratio (pg×μm⁻²) is significantly greater. These results point to the smaller size of erythrocytes of smaller mammals permitting much greater numbers to exist, thereby producing a greater TSAE and smaller Hb/TSAE ratio. The greater total surface area of red blood cells per unit volume of blood in small mammals can in turn be presumed to allow for full saturation of haemoglobin by oxygen, even where the period of contact between erythrocytes and air in the lungs is shorter than in their larger counterparts.

     

High resolution scintimammography helps in differentiating benign from malignant findings in scintigraphic hot spots

Several efforts have been focusing on the development of detectors devoted to high solution ^99mTc sestamibi scintimammography to improve sensitivity for non palpable lesions. To this aim new high resolution scintillation gamma camera was developed under the “Integiated Mammographic Imaging” project. The gamma camera, made by CAEN and Pol.Hi.Tech, has an overall dimension of 112×120×75mm3. It consists of an array of 1 in. PSPMTs Hamamatsu H8520-C12 closely packed, a NaI(T1) scintillation array (1.8×1.8×6mm³ pixel) and a general purpose collimator. By this gamma camera a clinical experience on a few patients with breast cancer suspicion was performed. In this paper we show how high resolution approach allows to better categorize the lesions on the basis of the morphology of the spatial distribution of the radiotracer in the breast tissue. By comparing conventional and high resolution images of a young patient (29 y.o.) with breast cancer suspicion, it appears clear how the Anger, camera images showed a defined hot spot, highly suggestive of malignant lesion; on the contrary, the high resolution scan shown a large and inhomogeneous uptake area with the absence of clear and focal character of the uptake, to be considered as a probably non malignant lesions. This resuh was confirmed by byoptical findings that diagnosed the echographic findings as a benign inflammatory lesion.     

Influence of Depth of Interaction upon the Performance of Scintillator Detectors

The uncertainty in time of particle detection within a scintillator detector, characterised by the coinci- dence time resolution (CTR), is explored with respect to the interaction position within the scintillator crystal itself. Electronic collimation between two scintillator detectors is utilised to determine the CTR with depth of interaction (DOI) for different materials, geometries and wrappings. Significantly, no rela- tionship between the CTR and DOI is observed within experimental error. Confinement of the interaction position is seen to degrade the CTR in long scintillator crystals by 10%.     

How Does B-Value Affect HARDI Reconstruction Using Clinical Diffusion MRI Data?

Background

A number of imaging factors can affect the orientation distribution function (ODF) reconstruction in high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the b-value on the HARDI reconstruction and to seek for the appropriate b-value for ODF reconstruction from clinical HARDI data.

Methods

Diffusion MRI data with various b-values were collected on a GE 3T MRI scanner. To reconstruct the diffusion ODF and fiber ODF, decomposition-based spherical polar Fourier imaging and deconvolution-based constrained spherical deconvolution approaches were applied separately. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the ODF and the angular difference of the peaks extracted from ODF were measured to investigate the effect of b-value on the ODF reconstruction. Visual inspection of the ODF was used to evaluate the reconstructions.

Results

The FWHM of the ODFs in the corpus callosum, which was chosen as the region of interest (ROI), decreased with increasing b-values. The differences in the FWHM for the diffusion ODF and the fiber ODF between the b-values of 2000 s/mm² and 2500 s/mm² were not significant. The angular differences of the ODF between 2000 s/mm² and 2500 s/mm² were lowest in both single-directional and two-directional situations. The ODFs became sharper and crossing-fiber situations were detected with an increase in b-value. B = 2000 s/mm² and above revealed most of the two-way or three-way crossing-fiber structures.

Conclusions

Considering both the signal-to-noise ratio and the acquisition time, b = 2000 s/mm² is the basic requirement for ODF reconstruction using current HARDI methods on clinical data. This study can provide a useful reference for researchers and clinicians attempting to set appropriate scan protocols for specific HARDI experiments.     

Preparation of cross-linked carboxymethyl chitosan for repairing sciatic nerve injury in rats

A successful nerve regeneration process was achieved with nerve repair tubes made up of 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) cross-linked carboxymethyl chitosan (CM-chitosan) with improved biodegradability. Chitosan has a very slow degradation rate, while the EDC cross-linked CM-chitosan tubes degraded to 30% of original weight during 8 weeks of incubation in lysozyme solution. In vitro cell culture indicated that the CM-chitosan films presented no cytotoxicity to Schwann cells. From in vivo studies using a 10 mm rat sciatic nerve defect model investigated by histomorphometry analysis, the average diameter of the fibers and the average thickness of myelin sheath in the CM-chitosan tubes were 3.7 ± 0.33 and 0.33 ± 0.04 μm, respectively, which demonstrated equivalence to nerve autografts (the current “gold” standard); furthermore, the average fiber density in the CM-chitosan tubes was 20.5 × 10³/mm², which was similar to that of autografts (21 × 10³/mm²) and significantly higher than that of common chitosan tubes (15.3 × 10³/mm²).     

磁共振弥散加权成像及ADC值对鼻咽癌颅底放疗疗效的评价价值

目的:探讨磁共振弥散加权成像(DWI)及表观扩散系数(ADC)值在鼻咽癌颅底放疗中的临床价值。方法:收集我院于2013年6月~2014年6月复查的40例鼻咽癌患者,分别于放疗前及放疗结束12个月以后对所有患者行常规核磁共振成像(MRI)及DWI检查,测量放疗前、后ADC值,根据影像学检查以及临床诊断结果分为复发组(n=5)及未复发组(n=35)。结果:复发组放疗前ADC值为(0.797±0.031)×10~(-3)mm~2/s,与未复发组放疗前ADC值(0.805±0.028)×10~(-3)mm~2/s比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。复发组放疗结束12个月以后ADC值为(1.097±0.091)×10~(-3)mm~2/s,与未复发组放疗结束12个月以后ADC值(1.705±0.128)×10~(-3)mm~2/s比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:DWI作为一种新兴的磁共振成像技术,对于鼻咽癌颅底放疗疗效的评价具有重要价值,通过DWI对ADC值的测量,可有效的预测患者预后是否良好。     

In-vivo dosimetry for field sizes down to 6 × 6 mm2 in shaped beam radiosurgery with microMOSFET

The aim of this study is to evaluate microMOSFET as in-vivo dosimeter in 6 MV shaped-beam radiosurgery for field sizes down to 6 × 6 mm². A homemade build-up cap was developed and its use with microMOSFET was evaluated down to 6 × 6 mm². The study with the homemade build-up cap was performed considering its influence on field size over-cover occurring at surface, achievement of the overall process of electronic equilibrium, dose deposition along beam axis and dose attenuation. An optimized calibration method has been validated using MOSFET in shaped-beam radiosurgery for field sizes from 98 × 98 down to 18 × 18 mm². The method was detailed in a previous study and validated in irregular field shapes series measurements performed on a head phantom. The optimized calibration method was applied to microMOSFET equipped with homemade build-up cap down to 6 × 6 mm². Using the same irregular field shapes, dose measurements were performed on head phantom. MicroMOSFET results were compared to previous MOSFET ones. Additional irregular field shapes down to 8.8 × 8.8 mm² were studied with microMOSFET. Isocenter dose attenuation due to the homemade build-up cap over the microMOSFET was near 2% irrespective of field size. Our results suggested that microMOSFET equipped with homemade build-up cap is suitable for in-vivo dosimetry in shaped-beam radiosurgery for field sizes down to 6 × 6 mm² and therefore that the required build-up cap dimensions to perform entrance in-vivo dosimetry in small-fields have to ensure only partial charge particle equilibrium.     

Beam Steering Plasma Reflectarray/Transmitarray Antennas

The aim of this paper is to design and analyze plasma reflectarray/transmitarray antennas which include investigation of performance parameters for these antennas in free space. The unit cell element for both arrays consists of a cubic glass box with fixed dimensions filled by argon gas. The plasma frequency of the argon gas is varied by changing the applied voltage at both ends of the glass box. This allows steering the reflected/transmitted wave to a certain direction. Full-wave simulations using the finite element method (FEM) and finite integral technique (FIT) are used to optimize and analyze different plasma reflectarray and plasma transmitarray antennas. The plasma reflectarray antenna is composed of 13?×?13 elements and covered an area of 208?×?208 mm². A circular horn is used to feed the antenna at a distance of 20.8 cm (focal-to-diameter ratio (F/D)?=?1). The reflectarray is designed at f?=?12 GHz. The radiation patterns of the plasma reflectarray for scanning angles of 10° to 70° angles are illustrated. For larger scanning angles, significant sidelobe levels are produced. The maximum value of beam scanning gain patterns is reduced. The half-power beamwidth (HPBW) is increased. The plasma transmitarray is composed of 9?×?9 cell elements and covered an area of 72?×?72 mm². The feed is a linearly polarized circular horn. The F/D ratio is set to 1. The transmitarray is operating at f?=?15 GHz. The radiation patterns of the plasma transmitarray for scanning angles of ?40° to +40° are demonstrated. Significant sidelobe levels are produced at large scanning angles.     

版纳鱼螈外周血细胞观察

以濒危两栖动物版纳鱼螈(Ichthyophis bannanica)为材料,应用瑞氏-姬姆萨混合染色法与血细胞计数法观察并统计了版纳鱼螈各种外周血细胞的形态特征和数量比例.结果表明,版纳鱼螈的外周血液中红细胞数量较多,呈卵圆形、椭圆形、梭形和梨形,平均含量为2.57 ×105个/mm3.白细胞数量较少,多呈近圆形,平均含量为0.72×103个/mm3.白细胞中,淋巴细胞最多,其次为单核细胞、嗜中性粒细胞、嗜碱性粒细胞和嗜酸性粒细胞.血栓细胞数量较少,常数个集合在一起.同时,将此研究结果与鱼类、爬行类和其他两栖类的血细胞比较,进而探讨了版纳鱼螈的进化地位.