Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging (also called nuclear medicine or nuclear imaging) can image the function of cells inside the body at the molecular level. This includes the imaging modalities of positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. How does PET and SPECT imaging work? Small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) injected into a patient. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT.  But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders. 

Siemens Introduces Continuous FlowMotion PET•CT

At the 2013 annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), June 8-12 in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Siemens Healthcare (booth 720) will introduce Biograph mCT Flow – a groundbreaking new positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) system that, for the first time ever, overcomes the limitations of conventional bed-based PET/CT with FlowMotion, a revolutionary new technology that moves the patient smoothly through the system’s gantry, while continuously acquiring PET data.

IBA Molecular, MIM Software Sign Agreement for PETLinQ Enhancement

IBA Molecular North America, Inc. (IBA Molecular) and MIM Software Inc. (MIM Software™) have announced an agreement to co-develop enhancements to the IBA Molecular PETLinQ™ suite of products

Siemens’ PETNET Solutions and Lilly Sign Amyvid EU Manufacturing Agreement

PETNET Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., will soon begin manufacturing Eli Lilly and Company’s AmyvidTM (Florbetapir (18F)) radiopharmaceutical in the United Kingdom, as well as in Spain and France, after signing a manufacturing services agreement with Eli Lilly and Company. Siemens’ PETNET Solutions will function as a contract manufacturer for Lilly after Lilly’s diagnostic radiopharmaceutical received marketing authorisation from the European Commission in early 2013.

Radiation Therapy leaders gather for ProteusONE demonstration

IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.), the global high-tech leader in next generation radiation therapy and diagnostics for the treatment of cancer, is pleased to announce that today 60 radiation therapy leaders travelled to Belgium to discover the first Proteus®ONE in factory.

Patients and Technologists Benefit from Reduced Dose of UltraSPECT Image Reconstruction Software

UltraSPECT, a leading provider of nuclear medicine (NM) image reconstruction technology that reduces radiopharmaceutical dose and acquisition time, announces today the installation of its proprietary Wide Beam Reconstruction (WBR™) software at nearly ten healthcare facilities.

Cleveland researchers launch Amyvid study

A team of radiologists and neurologists at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland are enrolling patients with suspected early-stage Alzheimer’s disease in a study designed to determine if Amyvid can identify amyloid plaques via PET or MRI. Read more about the research by clicking the link below.

Phase III Alzheimer’s treatment study misses the mark

Baxter announced results of its Phase III clinical study of immunoglobulin (IG). In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial, IG did not meet its co-primary endpoints of reducing cognitive decline and preserving functional abilities in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease after 18 months of treatment. Given the findings, Baxter said it will re-evaluate its approach for its Alzheimer’s program.

MILabs Introduces New Benchtop Product Line

MILabs, B.V. the Netherlands‐based innovator and manufacturer of pre‐clinical SPECT/PET/CT imaging devices used in biomedical research, today announces the release of the new mini product family ‐ an easy‐to‐use series of benchtop SPECT and PET imagers for small animals that combine simplified workflow, compact dimensions and affordable pricing to bring high‐performance SPECT/PET within everyone’s reach.