Development of Applications of Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Funded through a series of NSERC partnership grants, Cubresa Inc. have been working with the applicants to develop technologies for pre-clinical imaging for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and PET friendly radiofrequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of small animals. To date, our collaboration has played a direct role in Cubresa being the first to market with a commercial Silicon Photomultipliers-based pre-clinical PET product which when placed inside a 20cm MRI magnet equipped with an 11.5 cm diameter gradient can provide both PET and MR rat images simultaneously. We are currently developing techniques which will allow PET images to provide molecular images of the brain simultaneously with functional MRI images and developing high resolution MRI imaging techniques to improve quantification of PET images further. The success in developing these technologies is key to Cubresa’s overall product application development roadmap because they demonstrate scientifically credible results and important applications of simultaneous PET/MRI, a necessary marketing tool. Cubresa aims to be the first to market with a commercial pre-clinical product illustrating the significant advantages of simultaneous PET/MRI. The Mitacs application will be used for the postdoctoral candidate to develop image analysis techniques which allow the images to provide quantitative information.

Faculty Supervisor:

Melanie Martin

Student:

Sheryl Herrera

Partner:

Cubresa Inc.

Discipline:

Physics / Astronomy

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program: