High Performance Small Animal SPECT Imager

75438S With the ever-increasing number of human diseases being modeled in small animals such as mice and rats, the high resolution radionuclide imaging (such as SPECT, single photon emission computed tomography) of these small animals is required. Clinical SPECT scanners used for human imaging are bulky, expensive, and do not have adequate spatial resolution for small animal studies. Dedicated, low-cost instruments are required for conducting small animal studies with higher resolution than currently achievable with clinical SPECT scanners. This project will develop a new approach to the design of a high resolution, low cost SPECT system for small animal imaging, using solid-state detectors. Phase I designed and built high resolution detectors for eventual use in small animal imaging. High spatial resolution and high sensitivity were achieved with these detectors using isotopes commonly used in small animal SPECT imaging. In Phase II, the detector design will be optimized, and a prototype small animal SPECT imaging system will be built and evaluated. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The detector technology should be very promising for SPECT and other medical imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography. It also should be useful in nuclear and particle physics research, astronomy, diffraction, non-destructive evaluation, and safeguards.