Mediso Medical Imaging Systems introduces nanoScan PM the first integrated commercial whole-body preclinical PET/MRI imager

A revolutionary new imaging system to enable new possibilities for PET researchers, utilizing the world’s best PET resolution system combined with a compact MRI system for superb soft tissue contrast.

San Diego, USA – Sept. 7, 2011 – Mediso Medical Imaging Systems announced today at the World Molecular Imaging Congress (WMIC) the launch of the new nanoScan® PET/MRI, in vivo molecular and preclinical imager.

"The nanoScan®, PET/MRI system fully integrates our new cutting edge Tera-Tomo™ PET technology with the compact cryogen-free permanent MRI magnet from Aspect Imaging" said István Bagaméry, founder and CEO of Mediso. "This highly innovated unique system, which is the first commercially-available preclinical integrated PET/MRI, perfectly compliments our existing preclinical portfolio and offers two new imaging modalities on a common platform for NanoSPECT/CT users.

The PET subsystem, equipped with the new Tera-Tomo 3D reconstruction engine, performs quantitative PET studies with an unparalleled average resolution of 700 microns. Due to the advanced GPU based on the fly system matrix generation principle and the physical corrections in 3D PET reconstruction, a remarkably uniform resolution is achieved throughout the field-of-view. Using corrections for physical factors such as detector response, detector attenuation and scatter, object attenuation and scatter, randoms and dead time to even positron range, a quantitative three-dimensional PET reconstruction has been developed and applied by Mediso and their high level academic collaborators.

The compact, shielded MRI platform from Aspect Imaging utilizes a high-performance 1T magnet with negligible magnetic fringe field outside the magnet. It provides high spatial resolution of down to 100 µm, with superb soft tissue contrast required for anatomical/morphological imaging. The permanent magnet platform provides a maintenance-free MRI solution with a small footprint and with easy, rapid installation. It is optimized to perform fast, high-throughput imaging of a variety of applications and preclinical studies.

“The high resolution and ease of use of the Aspect Imaging M2™ platform perfectly complements Mediso‘s cutting edge PET technology,” says Uri Rapoport, Aspect Imaging’s Founder and CEO. “The combination of high-resolution PET and high-performance compact MRI will provide significant benefit to academic and pharmaceutical researchers who are looking for additional flexibility and performance from their translational imaging tools”.

The nanoScan® PET/MRI platform is an optimal solution for imaging and quantification in the following application areas: oncology and tumor biology, regenerative medicine, PET development of radiotracers, receptor studies in neuroscience, inflammation and immunology, infectious diseases, animal model development and phenotyping and multi-modal imaging and contrast agent development.
The nanoScan® PET/MRI system had been designed for a broad range of academic facilities in mind and can be used by operators without traditional imaging expertise. There is also no need for additional magnetic or RF shielding, nor for structural reinforcements or custom power requirements.

The first nanoScan® PET/MR was installed at the prestigious Karolinska Institute in April, 2011 and is being used by Professor Christer Halldin and in the core imaging laboratories of Professor Balázs Gulyás. The nanoScan® PET/MRI was the optimal imaging choice for Dr. Halldin, whose research requires the highest level PET radiotracer technology along with the robust support and co-registration with high-resolution MRI images. “The nanoScan® combines anatomical and molecular imaging modalities using a state-of-the-art PET technology with cutting edge resolution and sensitivity and a unique user friendly MRI imaging for preclinical studies”, says Christer Halldin, Professor, Director of Karolinska Institute PET Center.

The nanoScan® PET/MRI system is manufactured and distributed by Mediso worldwide and can be seen at the World Molecular Imaging Congress (WMIC) in San Diego, CA in Mediso’s booth #202,

About Mediso:

Since 1990, Mediso Medical Imaging Systems develops, manufactures, sells and services nuclear medicine imaging devices: gamma cameras, SPECT systems, and triple modality SPECT-CT-PET hybrid systems. Besides the clinical product line, Mediso manufactures the market’s leading small animal SPECT/CT system (the NanoSPECT/CTTM) and the NanoPETTM/CT system. The latest product introduced to Molecular Imaging is the nanoScan® PET/MRI for small animals, offering high resolution PET and MRI scanning. All 3 preclinical systems share a common platform with fully compatible workflow and offer outstanding performance in small animal imaging. Mediso also successfully runs two complex clinical diagnostic and research centers and offers contract research and training services.

About Aspect Imaging:

Aspect Imaging (www.aspectimaging.com) is the world’s leader in high-performance compact MRI imaging systems for preclinical, clinical and advanced industrial applications. In preclinical research, Aspect’s M2™ platform and suite of products enables academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies to harness the power and insights of MRI but without the cost, complexity and technical burden of traditional MRI systems. With Aspect’s integrated and simple-to-use platform, researchers can derive deep insights into their biological questions quickly, easily and cost-effectively - - and all with the push of a button. As the system has no fringe magnetic field, the M2 can be placed anywhere in a working lab including at a scientist’s benchtop. The M2™ platform is used by leading institutions for a broad range of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro applications including high-resolution 3D anatomical, molecular, functional and multi-modality imaging. The Aspect high-performance MRI system is used to quantify the expression of disease, to monitor disease progression and to assess therapeutic efficacy and response.

Source: Mediso