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Characterization of “γ-Eye”: a Low-Cost Benchtop Mouse-Sized Gamma Camera for Dynamic and Static Imaging Studies

Molecular Imaging and Biology volume 19, pages 398–407 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Several preclinical imaging systems are commercially available, but their purchase and maintenance costs make them unaffordable for the majority of small- and medium-sized groups. Taking into account the needs of average users, we developed “γ-eye”, a mouse-sized, benchtop γ-camera suitable for in vivo scintigraphic imaging.

Procedures

The γ-eye is based on two position-sensitive photomultiplier tubes, coupled to a CsI(Na) pixelated scintillator and a low-energy lead collimator with parallel hexagonal holes.

Results

The spatial resolution of the system is 2 mm at 0 mm. The energy resolution is 26 % at 140 keV and the maximum recorded sensitivity 210 cps/MBq. The system was evaluated in a proof-of-concept animal study, using three different clinical Tc-99m-labeled radiopharmaceuticals. Phantom and animal studies demonstrate its ability to provide semiquantitative results even for short scans.

Conclusions

Systems’ performance, dimensions, and cost make γ-eye a unique solution for efficient whole-body mouse nuclear imaging.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. BET Solutions, R & D, Athens, Greece

    Maria Georgiou & Eleftherios Fysikopoulos

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Konstantinos Mikropoulos & George Loudos

  3. National Centre for Scientific Research NCSR “Demokritos”, Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy and Safety, Athens, Greece

    Eirini Fragogeorgi & George Loudos

Authors
  1. Maria Georgiou
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  2. Eleftherios Fysikopoulos
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  3. Konstantinos Mikropoulos
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  4. Eirini Fragogeorgi
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  5. George Loudos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria Georgiou.

Ethics declarations

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Human and Animal Rights

All applicable institutional and/or national guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

Conflict of Interest

The technology similar to the “γ-eye” presented in this manuscript will be commercialized in the near future by BET Solutions, Athens, Greece. At this point, γ-eye system is in prototype version. Eleftherios Fysikopoulos and Konstantinos Mikropoulos are currently coworkers of BET Solutions, George Loudos is consultant for BET Solutions, and Maria Georgiou is a general partner of BET Solutions.

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Cite this article

Georgiou, M., Fysikopoulos, E., Mikropoulos, K. et al. Characterization of “γ-Eye”: a Low-Cost Benchtop Mouse-Sized Gamma Camera for Dynamic and Static Imaging Studies. Mol Imaging Biol 19, 398–407 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-016-1011-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-016-1011-4

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