A Design of a New Readout Sensor for Spect

72486S03-I With the ever increasing number of smaller animals, such as mice and rats, being used as human disease models, the demand for small animal imaging also has increased. In particular, the pharmaceutical industry requires the in vivo quantification of biological processes, to measure the mechanism of action of a pharmacological agent and its concentration at the site of action. High-resolution nuclear imaging technologies such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has the potential to contribute unique information at these finely-graded levels. However, the main barriers to using SPECT in studies of laboratory animals have traditionally been poor spatial resolution, low sensitivity, and high cost. To address these deficiencies, this project will develop a novel detector based on a new, position-sensitive readout coupled to a microcolumnar scintillator. This new readout combines properties of a conventional CCD and an avalanche photodiode. In Phase I, properties of the new readout sensor will be characterized to demonstrate its suitability for radionuclide imaging. Also, research will be performed towards developing and characterizing thick microcolumnar scintillator structures. The resulting detector will be characterized to demonstrate its effectiveness for the SPECT application. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new detector design should have widespread use in new small animal/human SPECT systems in particular and nuclear medicine systems in general. Additionally, the readout sensor should have applications in high sensitivity x-ray imaging, bioluminescence imaging, nondestructive testing, etc.