The mini gamma-ray camera - University of Leicester скачать в хорошем качестве

The mini gamma-ray camera - University of Leicester

Mini Gamma-Ray Camera MGRC - a Mini Gamma-Ray Camera intended for use within intensive care and operating theatres to detect cancer cells and direct surgeons Background Sensor technologies developed for healthcare and medical imaging have applications in many areas including: monitoring the uptake of a 'label' or drug in a tumour; the rapid identification of macromolecules which interact with labelled drugs or toxic compounds; the imaging of lymph nodes in breast cancer diagnosis and imaging small organs such as the thyroid; in neuro-toxicology, searching for novel protein targets and in the development of treatments for bladder cancer. Large gamma-ray cameras are one method of detecting radio-isotopes used in such imaging. Challenge While gamma-ray cameras are common in hospitals and patient care, they are generally large machines that image the whole body. They are good at detecting the presence of cancer cells but the accuracy of the location of these cells is insufficient in surgery. The surgeons have to perform quite major surgery to detect and remove the cancer cells and, because the gamma cameras are too big for the operating theatre, they cannot confirm whether all the cancer has been removed. Collaborating Partners The University of Leicester's Space Research Centre has developed a prototype camera in conjunction with the University of Nottingham. The technology has been licensed to a spin-out company called Gamma Technologies Ltd. Solution The imaging of radio-labelled biological samples began in the Physics and Astronomy Department of the University of Leicester in 1995, with the use of high resolution, low background, large area Micro-channel Plate (MCP) detectors originally developed for NASA’s Chandra X-ray observatory. Technologies developed for space research can be applied with great success to healthcare. The Bio-imaging Unit within the Space Research Centre (SRC) is currently developing new techniques and technologies for practical application in the medical and life sciences. A small hand-held gamma-ray camera has been developed with a small Scan Field of View (SFOV) to allow accurate location of cancers in lymph nodes. The gamma-ray image is superimposed on a visible image to allow the surgeon to locate and remove all cancer cells. Being able to more accurately locate cancer cells in surgery, the mini gamma-ray camera paves the way for less intrusive surgery methods and ensures that all cancers cell are removed. These twin advantages can lead to significantly improved patient outcomes.