To learn more about the software, check out the press release, product page, or video clips embedded below.

The milestone that the HYPERImage team has reached is the development of a functional gamma-ray detector that meets the performance requirements of the latest time-of-flight PET scanners. The new gamma-ray detectors have been designed to be compatible with the strong static and dynamic magnetic fields that would be present in a combined PET/MR scanner. Furthermore, the team has achieved major progress with respect to MRI-based static and dynamic PET attenuation correction. Details of these results are presented at the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, which takes place on October 25-31 in Orlando, Florida, USA.

More about the project from the backgrounder:

The technical breakthrough behind the team's development of an MR-compatible gamma-ray detector is the development of a new solid-state, scalable and compact digital detector technology. This technology is based around silicon photomultiplier arrays that offer the desired sensitivity, energy resolution and timing resolution required for time-of-flight PET measurements, and that feature integrated digital read-out electronics.

To increase the effective sensitivity, and to reduce the scan-time and dependence of sensitivity on patient size, the detector has been designed to support time-of-flight PET measurements with extremely short coincidence time resolution. In time-of-flight PET scanners, not only the direction of the gamma ray paths is measured but also the difference in time it takes the pair of gamma rays generated by the PET tracers to reach the detector. This time difference measurement substantially increase the precision with which the tracer can be localized. Time-of-flight measurements increase the effective sensitivity by a factor 10 compared to standard systems.

The silicon photomultiplier array's integrated digital read-out electronics contain a low-jitter and low-power signal acquisition unit. Low power consumption is an essential requirement when preparing the technology for integrated whole body scanning applications.

Full story: Philips led HYPERImage project advances research on hybrid PET/MR scanner...

HYPERImage Project Background Information...

Flashbacks: PET/MRI Combination Might Improve Breast CA Visualization ; Novel Photodetectors Lead to Combination PET/MRI Machines ; UC Davis Develops First Combined PET/MRI Tomograph

The Trumpf OR table has been designed especially for this integration and is equipped with a onepiece carbon tabletop, which can be replaced by a segmented universal tabletop. The table column enables the two tops to be exchanged easily. The carbon tabletop is transparent to X-rays and thus ensures that there will be no disruptive artifacts in the images. It is suitable for interventional procedures and minimally invasive surgery. The integration of the OR table with the Siemens angiography systems also make fast rotations and 3-D imaging possible with the surgical C-arm. The modular design of the segmented tabletop enables extremely flexible positioning of the patient, particularly important in orthopedics and neuro surgery. Complicated positions, such as the chest side position, can be achieved quickly with great precision as well as comfort for the patient and staff.

Along with the integrated Trumpf OR table, Siemens continues to offer its Artis tables for the entire Artis zee series, which are available in three designs: as a standard table, a table with Trendelenburg tilting and one with Trendelenburg and lateral tilting.

Press release: Siemens integrates Trumpf's OR table in its Artis zeego and Artis zee ceiling angiography systems...

Product pages: TruSystem 7500, Artis zee, Artis zeego

For critical care clinicians, Vscan can offer an immediate look beyond patient vital signs with the potential to identify critical issues, like fluid around the heart, which could be a sign of congestive heart failure. And for cardiologists, Vscan provides a dependable visual evaluation of how well the heart is pumping at a glance, so they can treat patients more efficiently.

More from GE...

So far, conventional analog mammography and digital full-field mammography was only able to display the three-dimensional anatomical structure of the breast on a two-dimensional level. This made diagnosis more difficult and limited the possibility of the physician identifying certain types of tumor; since, anatomical structures could overlap and obscure lesions. The 3D tomosynthesis technology in the Mammomat Inspiration overcomes these limitations: The technology acquires several projections of the breast from different angles using a fast detector based on amorphous Selenium (aSe) and uses this raw data to generate a 3D volume set. This enables a better analysis of the type and size of lesions as well as microcalcifications compared to conventional methods. Tomosynthesis increases the sensitivity and specificity of mammography, as well as improving tumor differentiation and classification.

Tomosynthesis differs from conventional mammography in the same way that, for example, a CT scan differs from a classical X-ray image. During the examination, the X-ray tube moves in a 50-degree arc around the breast, taking 25 low-dose images. The images are then used as raw data to construct high-resolution 3D images. High spatial resolution and a wide acquisition angle result in the production of mammography images with unparalleled image quality.

Press release: Siemens releases first mammography systems equipped with 3D tomosynthesis

The display's diagnostic precision is further enhanced by the next generation Per Pixel Uniformity (PPU) technology. PPU measures and adjusts the luminance output of each of the five million individual pixels on screen, thus eliminating distracting screen noise and improving the display's image uniformity from center to corner.

Furthermore, the upgraded system now incorporates a special version of the MediCal QAWeb service, which includes a dedicated mammography quality check. Together with the integrated I-Guard front screen sensor, MediCal QAWeb continuously monitors the display's quality for mammography screening. The intelligent I-Guard sensor also performs automated and intervention-free DICOM calibration and softcopy QA, helping to meet stringent mammography quality standards.

The product's extremely high luminance, high contrast ratio, and dark black levels guarantee exceptional image accuracy. Moreover, facilities will continue to benefit from Barco's DuraLight long-life backlight technology which assures that the Coronis 5MP Mammo will last three times as long as other displays, reducing the total cost of ownership substantially.

To allow for optimum workflow efficiency, the upgraded Coronis 5MP Mammo is bundled with a high-speed Barco display controller. This powerful board lets radiologists load current and prior studies instantly, enabling them to progress smoothly through their diagnostic workflow without having to wait for images.

Press release: Barco uplifts its successful mammography display system...

Product page: Coronis 5MP Mammo (MDMG-5121)....

Features from the product page:

Unique Seal Technology

Provides a cleaner procedural field protecting physicians, staff and patients by reducing the amount of blood in the field.

Allows separation of guidewires and other devices during complex procedures.

Click-open and Click-close Design

Allows single handed operation

Unique proximal cap is easily depressed for both opening and closing the lumen.

Distinctive wide “bulls eye” opening in the proximal cap allows for easy insertion of devices along with the ability to separate multiple guidewires and other devices during complex cases.

Ergonomic Design

Practical design allows the Guardian to fit comfortably in a physician’s hand.

Subtle finger tabs have been added for improved handling characteristics.

Actual device length 92mm.

8 French Lumen

Allows multiple or large therapeutic devices to be inserted during procedures.

Secure Device Lock

Rotating lock-nut has been designed to provide an additional mechanism for securing device position. Lock-nut functions similar to a tuohy borst™ style valve.

Here's a demo animation showing how one operates the device...

Press release: Vascular Solutions and Zerusa Limited Announce FDA Market Clearance for the Next Generation Guardian II Hemostasis Valve...

Product page: Guardian II™...

Guardian II™ brochure...

By integrating low-power CMOS electronics into the silicon photomultiplier chip, the team at Philips has developed a digital silicon photomultiplier in which each photon detection is converted directly into an ultra high speed digital pulse that can be directly counted by on-chip counter circuitry. In contrast to conventional silicon photomultipliers, the Philips digital silicon photomultiplier is therefore an all-digital (digital-in/digital-out) device. As a result, it produces faster and more accurate photon counts with extremely well defined timing of the first photon detection, both of which are important factors in applications such as medical imaging scanners and high-energy nuclear particle detectors.

The PET system detects pairs of gamma rays (high energy electromagnetic radiation) originating from a radioactive tracer, a small amount of which is injected into the patient prior to the scan. To image metabolic activity, PET typically uses a radioactive derivative of glucose called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). This compound mimics the behavior of glucose in the body and can be detected by the PET system.

For so-called ‘time-of-flight’ PET scanners, accurately determining the time at which the first photon arrives at the detector is extremely important. Philips’ digital silicon photomultiplier prototypes achieve a timing accuracy for the detection of the first photon of around 190 ps (full-width, half-maximum using a standard scintillator crystal (LYSO) at 511 keV for two detectors in coincidence).

Conventional silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) consist of a two-dimensional array of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) each of which is connected in series with its own polysilicon ‘quenching’ resistor. All of these diode/resistor ‘microcells’ are then connected in parallel and the entire microcell array is reverse-biased to a voltage above the diodes’ normal breakdown voltage – typically in the range 30V to 70V. Operating in this so-called ‘Geiger mode’, the diodes are ultra-sensitive to single electron-hole pairs that result in individual diodes experiencing avalanche breakdown. These electron-hole pairs can be generated either by the absorption of a photon (the desired signal), or by thermal energy or electron tunneling (unwanted background noise). The unwanted background noise produced by thermally generated electron-hole pairs and/or electron tunneling, together with false counts due to defective microcells, are collectively referred to as the SiPM’s ‘dark count’.

To eliminate a conventional SiPM’s need for an external digitizing ASIC, the digital silicon photomultiplier developed by Philips equips each individual avalanche photodiode with its own 1-bit on-chip ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) in the form of a CMOS inverter. Each microcell that experiences avalanche breakdown therefore produces its own digital output that is captured, along with the digital outputs from all other triggered microcells, by an on-chip counter. The Philips digital SiPM therefore converts digital events (photon detections) directly into a digital photon count. As a result, it is capable of achieving significantly better resolution than conventional SiPMs.

To overcome the ‘dark count’ problem associated with conventional SiPMs, each microcell in the Philips digital SiPM is also equipped with an addressable static memory cell that can be used to disable or enable the microcell. Microcells that show high dark count levels can therefore be prevented from contributing false counts to the SiPM’s output. This facility allows the Philips’ digital SiPM to achieve better signal-to-noise ratios than conventional devices. Because defective microcells in the array can be disabled, it also helps to improve production yield.

Press release: Philips announces breakthrough in fully digital light detection technology...

Technology backgrounder: PHILIPS' FULLY DIGITAL LIGHT DETECTION TECHNOLOGY (.pdf)...

More from Yanko Design...

Link: Cavallius Design...

Features of the device:

Complete compatibility within an MRI suite

Accurate location of the trans-urethral ultrasound applicator in the prostate

Multiple 3D treatment planning options through proprietary software

Precise heating control through unique array geometries and frequencies

Whole or segmented treatments relative to disease progression and location

Single or multiple treatments in the same session

Real-time thermometry for active monitoring and surveillance

Highest control around organs such as nerve bundles, rectum & urethra

Treatment time estimates of 30 mins (6X faster than next best)

Product page: Profound Medical Treatment System...

More from MassDevice...