Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging (also called nuclear medicine or nuclear imaging) can image the function of cells inside the body at the molecular level. This includes the imaging modalities of positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. How does PET and SPECT imaging work? Small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) injected into a patient. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT.  But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders. 

Molecular Imaging posts its first year-end profit

Mobile positron emission tomography (PET) provider Molecular Imaging Corp. achieved its first year-end profit in FY03, ending June 30.

Philips Medical forms research collaboration with CellPoint

Philips Medical Systems will jointly develop better molecular imaging technologies for oncology with Englewood, Colo.-based biotechnology company CellPoint.

Molecular Imaging kicks off mobile PET/CT service

Molecular Imaging Corp. has initiated mobile PET/CT service in the northeast United States with contracts in New York.

GEMS increases portfolio of pre-clinical imaging products

A worldwide distribution agreement accelerates the market entry of ART Advanced Research Technologies pre-clinical optical molecular imaging system, SAMI, for the research and development for new therapeutic and diagnostic drugs.

Philips Medical's Molecular Imaging unit outlines collaborations

Philips Medical Systems' recently created Molecular Imaging unit is moving ahead with research plans at four universities and with nuclear medicine imaging agent company.

Vital Images, Mirada Solutions to integrate imaging technologies

Medical imaging software company Vital Images Inc. has signed an agreement with Mirada Solutions Ltd. to integrate Mirada's positron emission technology (PET) and image fusion software into Vital Images' Vitrea software.

CTI Molecular Imaging purchases fusion software company

CTI Molecular Imaging Inc. in August acquired all the capital stock of Mirada Solutions Ltd., a developer of fusion software applications for medical imaging workstations, for approximately $22 million.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.