ISE presented the new "YAP-(S)PET" Scanner at the IEEE NSS-MIC Congress in ROME, in October 2004. This innovative product is the result of a cooperation started in early 2002 with Consorzio Ferrara Ricerche and University of Pisa, based on the YAP:Ce detector technology, originally developed by the team of researchers lead by Prof.Alberto Del Guerra at University of Ferrara (Italy).

Copy of the product presentation is available from the NSS-MIC website:

http://ess.web.cern.ch/ESS/IEEE2004/IndustrialProgramme/SeminarPresentations/ISE.pdf

                 Photo:The YAP-(S)PET Scanner                             Image: 20 g BDF-mouse  

injected with 99mTc-MDP

In January 2005, ISE put at work a "DEMO" unit of the YAP-(S)PET Scanner that, as a point of affordability and effectiveness of this brand new tool, has already produced a significant amount of scientific results. Some examples of images acquired and studies performed with the YAP-(S)PET demo scanner can be seen in the Powerpoint presentation that you may view and/or download by using the following link:

Click here to see/download the Powerpoint (3 MB approx)

More images....

Glioma   Rat brain metabolism complete  RatBrain(avi)

The YAP-(S)PET Scanner uses the innovative YAP:Ce pixellized crystal matrix approach, conveniently coupled with position sensitive photomultiplier technology. Thanks to the above venture, this unique and proven technology is now commercially available in an affordable off-the-shelf product. 

Click here to see/download the Brochure (15MB approx)

The first production unit was delivered to CEINGE Department Centre of Genetic Engineering of University of Naples, in late year 2003. Two more units are now operated by the AMBISEN Research Centre in Pisa and by the Nuclear Medicine department of University of Ferrara. 
Among other institutional activities, the AMBISEN Centre in Pisa will operate as a Beta-Site for application of this technology, undertaking joint activities with interested researcher partners for development of research protocols and study practices.

The outstanding characteristic of the YAP-(S)PET scanner is the ability to execute both PET and SPECT with the same equipment.  This is due to the fact that the YAP:Ce crystal matrix is effective in detecting 511 keV radiation for PET, and also generates enough light for detecting low-energy gammas for SPECT.  

This unrivalled Multi-Mode Analysis Capability of the YAP-(S)PET scanner is further enhanced in the latest version of the scanner, where the animal bed has been made compatible with the SkyScan 1076 In-Vivo Micro-CT scanner (below).

Photo: Courtesy of SkyScan (Belgium)

In this way, the bed can be readily interchanged without moving the animal.

As a result of the above, the YAP-(S) PET features unrivalled multimodality analysis capability, and is an accurate and versatile instrument for Multifunctional Imaging investigations on mice and rats, for laboratory studies. For a more detailed list of references and examples, see the attached Bibliograpy.

Below: Example of Images obtained with Prototype YAP-(S)PET scanner:
SPECT Image: Transaxial section of a Rat heart, injected with TcN-PNP5-DBODC
Activity Injected: 174 MBq.  6.5 x 10 5 events - EM algorithm

General Information

The YAP-(S)PET scanner, designed for PET and SPECT studies on small animals, features an animal bed with computer-controlled sliding movement and position alignment system, and a rotating gantry housing either two or four detector elements. Each detector is based on a scintillator matrix composed by YAP finger crystals (below on the right).  The very fast response of the YAP:Ce scintillator, coupled to a fast coincidence electronics for PET studies, yields a measured FWHM well below 10 ns., thus reducing unwanted random effects.   Moreover, the peculiar characteristics of the YAP:Ce crystal provide an overall excellent sensitivity.

Each scintillator matrix of YAP crystal is coupled with a position sensitive photomultiplier tube. The detector assembly is covered by a protective screen, providing a gantry aperture of 15 cm. In the PET configuration, each opposite (two-head) pair is put in coincidence, while in SPECT mode each head is equipped with a high-resolution lead collimator.

The scanner unit is connected to the system Computer Workstation featuring control, data acquisition, processing and user interface software. All system operations are assisted by friendly and versatile dedicated procedures.   The scanner operates in 3-D data acquisition mode, and FBP and fast EM algorithms are used for image reconstruction, thus permitting maximal utilization of acquired data.
The carefully defined system characteristics, coupled to integrated calibration procedures, enable accurate quantitation of measured data.

The overall characteristics of the YAP-(S)PET scanner are as follows:

• Inclusive size: 815 (width) x 1270 (length) x 1450 (height) mm
  (Not including the control Workstation)
• Overall weight: 190 kg. (may vary according to the configuration, see the following for further details)
• Power Supply:220 VAC, 50 Hz outlet (optional 110 VAC 60 Hz), using a standard AC socket (max. power absorption 160 Watt)

Scanner Configurations

The YAP-(S)PET Scanner is composed by two separated functional units, namely (1) the scanner assembly including the animal bed and the rotating gantry housing detector heads and detection electronics (schematically shown in the picture, overall size indicated in the above section), and (2) the Control Workstation, including a dedicated PC featuring Control, Acquisition and Data Processing Software, mounted on a dedicated floor stand. Both units can be mounted on wheels for increased mobility. The two units are connected by means of a set of cables, ad can be mounted either in the same spot or in adjacent rooms, depending on operation requirements.

The Basic Composition of the scanner is as follows:

• N.2 or 4 detectors, each one composed by a YAP:Ce crystal matrix and one position-sensitive photomultiplier;
• Computer-controlled rotating gantry, housing the detectors;
• Electronic subsection with Control and Data Acquisition Electronic subunits;
• Computer-controlled animal bed for automatic data acquisition;
• Control Workstation with 17" color monitor, 512 Mbyte RAM, 80 Gbyte HDD, CD-DVD R\W, Windows XP operating system;
• Scanner Control, Data Acquisition and Processing Software;
• Operating and Maintenance manual.

The YAP-(S)PET scanner is available in the two main configurations featuring two (2) or four (4) detector heads mounted on the system rotating gantry. Both have the same intrinsic spatial resolution, and can be equipped with the dedicated lead collimators and software for the execution of SPECT analysis.
An optional radiation shielding assembly can be provided on request.

Available Scanner Configurations - Product Codes:

• YAP-PET-2: This configuration includes two (2) detector heads, coincidence electronics and software for PET scans and analyses;
  
• YAP-SPET-2: Equivalent to the above, but includes two removable lead collimators, electronics and software suited both for PET and SPECT analysis;
  
• YAP-PET-4: This configuration includes four (4) detector heads, coincidence electronics and software for PET scans and analyses;
  
• YAP-SPET-4: Equivalent to the above, but includes four removable lead collimators, electronics and software suited both for PET and SPECT analysis.

The carefully designed architecture and geometry of the system generates a practically constant spatial resolution (~1.8 mm FWHM) over the entire field of view of the scanner. The picture on the right illustrates the measured spatial resolution, as obtained in PET with a source diameter of 0.8 mm. The picture below reports an example of image obtained in PET and SPECT mode on a custom Derenzo-type phantom, using the YAP-(S)PET Scanner.

Above: Miniature Derenzo-type phantom images
(obtained with Rod spacing = twice diameter)

SPECT Image of a small mouse (25 gr) injected with 10 millicuries of 99mTc-MDP.

The YAP-(S)PET Scanner Technical Specifications are as follows:

• Geometry :                                    2/4 Opposite Planar Heads;
• Transverse dimension of Gantry:     15 cm;
• Field of View (FOV) dimension:        Axial 4cm, Transaxial 4cm Ø;
• Sampling Distance:                         YAP Crystal pitch = 2 mm;
• Spatial Resolution:                         PET: <1.8 mm SPECT < 3.5 mm;
• Minimum Energy Threshold:             ~ 50 keV;
• Detection Efficiency @511 keV:         > 68%;
• Time Coincidence Window:            <5 ns;
• Sensitivity (center FOV @ 15cm):    PET > 640 cps/microCi;
• Sensitivity in SPECT mode:              > 2 cps/microCi, constant over FoV;
• Software Sensitivity:                      100% (EM Algorithm);

The YAP-(S)PET scanner is now available to interested users, that may either purchase the equipment, or choose to activate a contract with a major leasing company, on a multiannual basis.
For commercialization of the YAP-(S)PET scanner, ISE established a relationship with its global exclusive Agent our parteners and international levels that may be contacted for a personalized quotation, according to your needs.
The standard delivery time for the YAP-(S)PET scanner is 8 (eight) months following date of order receipt at ISE. Hardware or Software personalization (see the above section “scanner configurations”), if required, may require an extension of the above delivery time.

The Basic list price for supply of YAP-(S)PET scanner includes the following items:

• The Complete system as described in the above section “scanner configurations”;
• Assembly and preliminary testing at ISE plant before shipping;
• Packaging and delivery FOB Pisa (does not include freight charges);
• Installation and commissioning at customer's site;
• Validation and first Calibration at Customers's site;
• 4-days basic training for customer's staff
• One year warranty, excluding misuse or negligence.

Price may include, on request, the following Optional Items:

• Handling, shipping and shipping insurance for delivery at customer's designated site;
• Handling of the equipment at customer's site;
• Reference sources for calibration of the system and suitable phantoms;
• Advanced training, to be defined on request on the basis of customer's specific requirements;
• One year Maintenance Contract. The contract can be activated at any time within the terms of warranty period at 10% of the purchase price per annum. After warranty expiration, a preliminary on-site survey and dedicated quotation will be requested.
  The contract includes on-site preventive maintenance every six months, hotline telephone assistance, 5-days turnout and repair in case of fault, excluding price of replaced parts.

The following publications contain information about the YAP scanner technology and results obtained with the prototype of the YAP-(S)PET scanner in advanced research and development activities.

• New developments in photodetection for Medicine (A.Del Guerra, M.G.Bisogni, C.Damiani, G.Di Domenico, R.Marchesini, G.Zavattini) - Nucl.Instr. and Meth. In Phys. Reaserch, A442 (2000) 18-25;
• An Integrated PET/SPECT imager for small animals (C.Damiani, A.Del Guerra, G.Di Domenico, M.Gambaccini, A.Motta, N.Sabba, G.Zavattini) - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, A461 (2001) 416-419 - Section VII;
• Advances in animal PET scanners (A.Del Guerra, N.Belcari) - Quarterly Journal of Nuclear Medicine, vol.46 - No.1 - Pagg. 35-47 (March 2002);
• Latest Achievements in PET Techniques (A.Del Guerra, N.-Belcari, A.Motta, G.Di Domenico, N.Sabba, G.Zavattini) - Elsevier Science, accepted for publication, September 2002;
• Use of a fast EM algorithm for 3D image reconstruction with the YAP-PET Tomograph (A.Motta, C.Damiani, A.Del Guerra, G.Di Domenico, G.Zavattini) - Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics, 26 (2002) 293-302;
• Improving Image Quality and Spatial resolution of YAP-(S)PET Small Animal Scanner by Oversampling (C.Damiani, A.Del Guerra, G.Di Domenico, M.Gambaccini, E.Moretti, N.Sabba, G.Zavattini) - AMI Annual Conference 2002, San Diego CA, October 2002;
• Comparison of medium-Z and high-Z scintillators for Ultra-High resolution Small Animal PET Imaging (N.Belcari, A.Del Guerra, G.Di Domenico, M.Gambaccini, E.Moretti, N.Sabba, G.Zavattini) - AMI Annual Conference 2002, San Diego CA, October 2002;
• Simultaneous PET/SPECT imaging with the YAP-(S)PET Scanner (A.Del Guerra, G.Di Domenico, M.Gambaccini, E.Moretti, N.Sabba, G.Zavattini) - AMI Annual Conference 2002, San Diego CA, October 2002;
• Proceedings from “Workshop on Small-animal SPECT” Nicola Belcari et al. - Tucson, January 14-16, 2004.
• YAP-(S)PET small animal scanner: quantitative results (G.Di Domenico,G. Zavattini, E. Moretti, A. Piffanelli, M. Giganti, A.Motta, N. Sabba, L. Uccelli, E. Benini, A. Duatti, C. Bolzati, A. Boschi, A.del Guerra) – IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci, 2003, 50(5), 1351-1356.
• A Triple Modality Device for Simultaneous Small Animal CT and PET-SPECT Imaging  (N. Cesca, G. Di Domenico, M. Gambaccini, E. Moretti, D. Moro, N. Sabba, G. Zavattini,) – Presented at IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference (NSS-MIC), Rome, October 2004