Concept of an upright wearable positron emission tomography imager in humans.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is traditionally used to image patients in restrictive positions, with few devices allowing for upright, brain-dedicated imaging. Our team has explored the concept of wearable PET imagers which could provide functional brain imaging of freely moving subjects. To test feasibility and determine future considerations for development, we built a rudimentary proof-of-concept prototype (Helmet_PET) and conducted tests in phantoms and four human volunteers.



Twelve Silicon Photomultiplier-based detectors were assembled in a ring with exterior weight support and an interior mechanism that could be adjustably fitted to the head. We conducted brain phantom tests as well as scanned four patients scheduled for diagnostic F(18-) FDG PET/CT imaging. For human subjects the imager was angled such that field of view included basal ganglia and visual cortex to test for typical resting-state pattern. Imaging in two subjects was performed ~4 hr after PET/CT imaging to simulate lower injected F(18-) FDG dose by taking advantage of the natural radioactive decay of the tracer (F(18) half-life of 110 min), with an estimated imaging dosage of 25% of the standard.



We found that imaging with a simple lightweight ring of detectors was feasible using a fraction of the standard radioligand dose. Activity levels in the human participants were quantitatively similar to standard PET in a set of anatomical ROIs. Typical resting-state brain pattern activation was demonstrated even in a 1 min scan of active head rotation.



To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of imaging a human subject with a novel wearable PET imager that moves with robust head movements. We discuss potential research and clinical applications that will drive the design of a fully functional device. Designs will need to consider trade-offs between a low weight device with high mobility and a heavier device with greater sensitivity and larger field of view.
Center for Advanced Imaging West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Department of Radiology West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Center for Neuroscience West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA.
Christopher E
CE
Bauer
Center for Advanced Imaging West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Center for Neuroscience West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA.
Julie
J
Brefczynski-Lewis
Center for Advanced Imaging West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Department of Radiology West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA.
Gary
G
Marano
Division of Physical Therapy Department of Human Performance West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA.
Mary-Beth
MB
Mandich
Center for Advanced Imaging West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Department of Radiology West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA.
Alexander
A
Stolin
Center for Advanced Imaging West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Department of Radiology West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA.
Peter
P
Martone
Center for Neuroscience West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA.
James W
JW
Lewis
Center for Advanced Imaging West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Department of Radiology West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA.
Gangadhar
G
Jaliparthi
Center for Advanced Imaging West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA; Department of Radiology West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA.
Raymond R
RR
Raylman
Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging University of Virginia Charlottesville VA USA.
Stan
S
Majewski
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
brain imaging; functional imaging; mobile imaging; molecular imaging; positron emission tomography; upright imaging
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