Lightspin Technologies Inc — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: 101

Description

Project Summary Abstract Positron emission tomographyPETis a uniquely powerful medical molecular imaging modality for biological function imaginge gblood flowenergy consumption or binding to cancer cell receptorsIt utilizes radioactive molecular tracers that follow physiological processes in the bodyA key component of a PET scanner is the block detector that provides location and timing information for every gamma ray detected within a certain energy bandCurrently available commercial PET machines achieve a location accuracy ofmmin X and Yandpsec in timeLightSpin Technologies and the Brain Emission Tomography consortium proposed to develop a new block detector with a location accuracy ofmmin XYand Zandpsec in timeIn this SBIR projectLightSpin is proposing to develop a key component of the block detectornamely an innovative silicon photomultiplierSiPMarray that will not only enable the system to achieve apsec FWHM coincidence timing resolutionbut will also integrates of SiPMs on a single chip with integratedlow power readout electronics providing a multiplexed digital output streamThe approach leverages the best features of custom analog SiPMslow powerlow noisehigh quantum efficiencywith the best features of digital SiPMshigh timing efficiencymultiplexed digital output streamto achieve a substantial improvement in performancewith an ultimate goal of achieving a single photon timing resolution belowps FWHM while maintaining high QE and low power dissipationThe development of these new detector blocks is expected to enable new PET applications such as lightweightportable brain PET scanners with higher imaging resolution at lower radiation dose for a wide range of applications Project Narrative Positron emission tomographyPETis a neuroimaging modality used as both a clinical and a research tool to study central nervous systemCNSdiseases in numerous neurologic and psychiatric conditionse gAlzheimer s diseaseParkinson s diseasetraumatic brain injuryPTSDschizophreniaeating disorder and substance abuseWe propose a new PET camera component to improve PET image spatial and temporal resolution while simultaneously lowering the patient absorbed doseIf successfulnew dedicated Brain PET systems could be built that may enable significant improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of neurologic and psychiatric conditions