PROJECT OUTLINE

Results from the PEM biopsy system demonstrated the potential for successfully detecting and guiding the biopsy of suspicious breast lesion using positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. These results also demonstrated that the use of a planar imaging technique is non-optimal for detection of breast lesions in very dense or large breasts. To address this deficiency we have proposed the construction of a dedicated breast imager that will be capable of acquiring data sets for the creation of tomographic breast images (PET images of the breast). These images will then be used to guide the positioning of a biopsy needle. This new system will retain the ability to perform PEM imaging so that the pre-biopsy positioning of a positron-emitting biopsy needle can be determined. This project is a collaborative effort amongst the groups from West Virginia University, Jeeferson Lab and University of Washington.

INSTRUMENTATION

The design of the PEM-PET biopsy system is based on our PEM biposy machine. Two sets of 20x20cm planar detectors built by Stan Majewski's Group at Jefferson Lab will rotate about the breast (patient lies prone on a table and the breast extends through a cut out in the table). The detectors will be arrays of pixelated LSO mounted to large area flat panel PSPMTs. Data will be reconstructed utilizing iterative methods developed by Paul Kinahn's Group at the University of Washington.

This project is currently ready to begin, so keep checking back to this page for updates.

For PET Movie File - Click here

For PET Biopsy Movie File - Click here

Recent PEM-PET Presentation from ITBS '05 in Milos, Greece