Two Pi High Resolution Quantitative Spect for Breast and Brain Imaging

70342 There is currently no highly sensitive and highly specific method by which to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, which is the best assurance of highly effective treatment. X-ray mammography continues to be the most common screening method despite predictive values as low as 25-50%. The low specificity of early breast cancer detection results in many unnecessary and costly biopsies, which often complicate subsequent diagnosis and contribute to unnecessary patient suffering. This project will develop an instrument that will enhance early breast cancer detection by significantly increasing signal-to-noise ratio in functional radionuclide breast imaging. The approach will use a state-of-the-art high-resolution gamma camera, novel tomographic techniques, and sophisticated reconstruction software that accurately compensates for physical factors that degrade image quality. In Phase I a significant improvement in small (<1 cm) lesion detection will be demonstrated with bench-top prototype components. A standard compact high-resolution gamma camera will be used in novel tomographic orbits that optimize image volume sampling. An iterative statistical reconstruction package will be adapted to this camera and the novel orbits. Ultimately, a compact, high-resolution, quantitative single photon tomograph will be developed that is ideally suited to imaging hemispherical volumes such as the breast or the brain. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should result in a commercial clinical radionuclide imaging system for high-resolution early breast cancer detection and functional imaging of the brain.