Gemini Time-of-Flight PET Takes Off in Vienna

At the ECR, Philips Medical launched a breakthrough development in positron emission tomography/computed tomo­graphy (PET/CT). Called Gemini TF, it is the first commercial PET system to measure photon arrival-time differences to deliver improved image quality and consistency, with the potential of earlier disease detection in patients. The technology has already demonstrated its value in a research environment, but Philips has now translated these benefits for clinical use.Conventional PET uses a decaying radioactive isotope injected into the patient as a tracking mechanism. As each nucleus decays it releases a positron which collides with an electron releasing a pair of gamma rays that travel away from the collision zone at 180 degrees from each other. A PET scanner picks up these pairs of rays and zeros in on their source, the hot-spots where the isotope is concentrated, explained James Cavanaugh, Philips director of global marketing, nuclear medicine PET/CT. Gemini TF exploits the fact that the rays in each pair arrive at slightly different times, something not traditionally measured. Calculating this minute time difference enables the source to be more finely pin-pointed, increasing the accuracy of the imaging, and more than doubling the sensitivity of conventional PET. Whats more, image acquisition time is reduced to less than 10 minutes for a whole-body scan even for larger than average patients, who previously require extra scan time, said Cavanaugh. Gemini TF also incorporates Philips patented Open View gantry design which minimises the claustrophobia experienced by the patient having a scan.Philips new magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system SmartExam provides pluses for both patient and operator. Its the first MR with IQ, said Guido Stomp, Philips EMEA business line director, magnetic resonance MR. It works by pattern recognition, and means the patient can adopt any position he likes under the scanner. By enabling automated planning, scanning and processing at a mouse-click, scans can be consistently reproduced time and again, providing optimised scan quality, and freeing up the operator to do other things, Stomp pointed out. By standardising the workflow operator time is cut by 30%. The emphasis is all on speed and economy of workflow these days. SmartExam runs across all Philips MR systems including Achieva 3.0 Tesla, Achieva 1.5 Tesla and Panorama 1.0 Tesla open MR system. This is the first high-field open MR with active shielding to deliver 1.5R-like image quality combined with added patient comfort. The wide patient aperture allows off-centre anatomical features like shoulders or wrists to be imaged in the iso-centre of the magnet, giving excellent image quality.Philips launched a colourful new feature entirely centred on patient comfort at ECR Vienna. Its called Ambient Experience which does not do justice to the inventive use it makes of a wide range of Philips products including coloured light bulbs. In fact, it needs moving pictures and sound to do it justice. Ambient Experience is a place a room, a corner that puts children who have to undergo a scan at ease. The lighting is soft and comforting; there is soothing music. On the wall a moving picture that could be the viewing window to an aquarium, shows fishes swimming. If the child is asked to hold her breath for the scan, a cartoon fish holds his with her to show her how it is done. The piece de resistance is a mini-scanner with a variety of toy patients a space man, a crocodile, an elephant can be scanned and the important role of the scanner in diagnosing illness illustrated. The system has been adopted by the Lutheran Childrens Hospital in Chicago, USA. Imaging technology should always be such fun.