Sublima

Medical imaging techniques are in constant evolution. Lesions and abnormal cell activity can be detected through several technologies. PET (positron emission tomography) is used to assess the effectiveness of the treatment (radio therapy, surgery or chemo therapy) and for early detection of tumours. PET is the most sensitive technique for detecting tumours. PET is normally used in combination with CT (computer tomography) and is then called PET/CT. While PET technology is able to accurately localize the tumour by detecting its activity, CT links the tumour to the other structures in the patient’s body. A drawback of this integrated technology is the considerable amount of radiation and the fact that only little contrast is seen in for instance brain or prostate tissue. MRI, a medical imaging technique based on magnetic resonance, on the contrary provides good contrast between the different soft tissues of the body, which makes it especially useful in imaging the brain, the heart, muscles and cancers. MRI is able to detect organ motion as well, such as breathing and heart activity. Since MRI is complementary to PET, developing PET/MRI scanners seemed quite an opportunity.

The SUBLIMA project aims at truly simultaneous, fully integrated, solid-state PET/MRI technology for concurrent functional and anatomical imaging with unsurpassed image quality.

The integrated technology allows better PET quantification and MRI localization. This way a faster diagnosis can be made. Furthermore, artefacts seen in PET/CT will be eliminated by developing MRI-based, motion-compensated PET attenuation correction.

The PET/MRI scanner will undoubtedly enable novel applications in oncology, cardio-vascular medicine, and neuro-degenerative diseases. It is to be expected as well that this technology will affect other areas such as translational medicine and Parkinson and Alzheimer research. Thanks to this scanner, treatment success rates will be increased and consequently the life expectancy and the quality of life of the patients.