Pinhole Aperture Design for Small-Animal Imaging

Abstract

Pinhole collimation is one of the techniques available for SPECT imaging. The usage of transgenic mice has evolved and has become more and more popular. Functions of genes are studied by over-expression of a certain protein in the transgenic mice or by the lack of expression of a certain protein in the knock-out mice. For the small animal functional imaging, an ultra-high-resolution functional imaging technique is required.Improvement of nuclear imaging spatial resolution enables the preclinical and clinical imaging methods in which monoclonal antibodies, receptor-specific molecules, peptides, and other new radio-pharmaceuticals are used [Weber, 1999 ]. Live-animal functional imaging is desirable in comparison to anatomical study for its versatility for series study at different time point and built-in controls. In order to apply SPECT on live animals, especially transgenic mice, a clinical gamma camera is adopted using a special pinhole aperture to enhance spatial resolution [Simmons, 1988 Pinhole collimation is one of the techniques available for SPECT imaging.The usage of transgenic mice has evolved and has become more and more popular. Functions of genes are studied by over-expression of a certain protein in the transgenic mice or by the lack of expression of a certain protein in the knock-out mice. For the small animal functional imaging, an ultra-high-resolution functional imaging technique is required. Improvement of nuclear imaging spatial resolution enables the preclinical and clinical imaging methods in which monoclonal antibodies, receptor-specific molecules, peptides, and other new radio-pharmaceuticals are used [Weber, 1999]. Live-animal functional imaging is desirable in comparison to anatomical study for its versatility for series study at different time point and built-in controls. In order to apply SPECT on live animals, especially transgenic mice,a clinical gamma camera is adopted using a special pinhole aperture to enhance spatial resolution [Simmons, 1988].