Technology Platform
Imaging Equipment
GE Discovery VCT 64-slice PETCT
Commissioned January 2007. Full Ring BGO 64-slice PETCT, first in UK. Top-of-the-range system, superior performance for cardiovascular PETCT in addition to R&D in oncology / neuropsychiatry (list mode acquisition, ECG/respiratory gating, 4D recon, etc).
GE Discovery ST 16-slice PETCT
Commissioned January 2006. Full Ring BGO 16-slice PETCT, first in UK. High end system suitable for cardiovascular PETCT and ideal for R&D in oncology / neuropsychiatry (list mode acquisition, ECG/respiratory gating, 4D recon, etc).
GE Infinia Hawkeye 4-slice SPET/CT gamma camera
Commissioned January 2006; upgraded to 4-slice CT in November 2006. Dual detector, variable geometry large field of view SPET/CT gamma camera.
GE Infinia GP SPET gamma camera
Commissioned January 2006. Dual detector, variable geometry large field of view SPET gamma camera.
GE Millennium MPR gamma camera
Commissioned May 2003. Single detector large field of view SPET gamma camera.
GE Millennium VG Hawkeye SPET/CT single slice SPET/CT gamma camera
Commissioned September 2000, first SPET/CT in UK. Dual detector, variable geometry large field of view single slice SPET/CT gamma camera
Philips Prism 3000XP SPET gamma camera
Commissioned April 1998. Triple detector, dedicated high resolution brain SPET gamma camera. Key instrumentation used in 5-year MRC funded Senior Fellowship programme.
Hologic QDR 4500A DEXA Bone Densitometer
Commissioned 1995, with latest upgrades in 2005. Fan beam dual energy X-Ray bone densitometry scanner, with whole body imaging capability.
Spectrum Dynamics D-SPECT High Speed Novel Imaging Device for Cardiac SPET
Commissioned August 2007. Entirely novel technology, first in Europe. Represents greatest advance in conventional nuclear medicine imaging in recent years. Instrument with 5 mm spatial resolution, PET sensitivity and superior energy discrimination. Offers potential to change the entire present spectrum of nuclear medicine imaging.
Image Processing / IT Systems
In support of the above, 14 dedicated image processing workstations for multimodality image processing, clinical reporting, teaching, etc. All commissioned 2006 except one (installed 1998). Connectivity with ready access to Trust-wide PACS, RIS & EPR systems. Extensive network of PC’s and comprehensive DICOM data archive and information servers, managed in-house with NHS connectivity.
Radiopharmacy
Located adjacent to the INM is the largest radiopharmacy in England, commissioned in 2006 and approved by the MHRA for GMP. High volume throughput, dispensing over 70,000 unit doses/year and supplying over 15 hospitals.
Radiochemistry - PET Generators
In support of the R&D and clinical development program for PETCT, 68-Gallium and 82-Rubidium generators have been commissioned (2005/06).
The 68-Gallium generator (first in UK) is used to facilitate PETCT imaging of SS2 subtype somatostatin receptors in patients with neuroendocrine disease [collaboration with Martin Caplin at the Royal Free Hospital]. The generator is ideally placed for a research program based on peptide labeling.
The 82-Rubidium generator is used to deliver PETCT-based myocardial perfusion imaging. This service, the first to be offered to patients in Europe, commenced in September 2006.
An associated SPET and PET radiochemistry laboratory with hot cells is now in planning for the labeling of novel probes for diagnostic and biological imaging. An example will be the PETCT imaging of angiogenesis with a novel F-18 based ligand.
