Method and Device for the Two-Dimensional Imaging of a Positron Emitter Distribution of Weakly Positron-Absorbing Objects

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention provides a method and device for two-dimensional imaging of the distribution of positron emitters in objects that are weakly absorbing for positrons, such as thin biological samples (e.g., plant leaves or tissue slices). The method involves placing the object containing positron-emitting isotopes in a magnetic field so that emitted positrons follow the magnetic field lines, eventually striking a specifically positioned positron absorber. By detecting the points where positrons hit the absorber, it is possible to directly map the spatial distribution of the positron emitters within the object without complex tomographic reconstruction.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Non-invasive metabolic imaging of thin biological specimens like plant leaves for plant physiology studies.
• Mapping of radioisotope-labeled tracer distribution in thin tissue slices in medical or neuroscientific research.
• Improved imaging of low-density or thin objects in preclinical, biotechnological, or material science applications where standard PET imaging underestimates activity.
• Dynamic monitoring of metabolic processes in real-time by recording time-series images of the positron emitter distribution.
• High-resolution autoradiography in pharmacokinetics or drug delivery studies using radioactively labeled compounds.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables accurate quantification of positron emitter distribution in samples where traditional PET imaging fails due to high positron escape rates.
• Does not require tomographic reconstruction algorithms, simplifying image acquisition and processing.
• Allows for high-resolution, two-dimensional imaging, including dynamic (time-varying) measurements.
• Can be integrated into existing PET/MR hybrid systems with minimal modifications, primarily by adding a thin absorber plate.
• Increases sensitivity and precision in imaging of thin or low-density samples, leading to better research outcomes in plant science, medicine, and biology.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for the two-dimensional imaging of a positron emitter distribution of weakly positron-absorbing objects. According to the invention, the method is characterized in that the object to be examined which contains the positron emitter is positioned in a magnetic field, and the positrons leaving the object to be examined follow the curve of the magnetic field and strike a positron absorber which is likewise positioned in the magnetic field and which, upon interacting with the positrons, allows the position where the positrons struck the positron absorber to be located. For this purpose, the object to be examined which contains the positron emitter and a positron absorber are placed in a magnetic field such that the positrons follow the curve of the magnetic field and strike the positron absorber at a position. The information obtained in this manner regarding the position where the positrons struck the positron absorber is used to image the positron emitter distribution in the object to be examined.