PET/CT Infusion System Minimizes Need for Manual Dose Prep and Handling

A new positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) system automatically extracts a patient dose from a multi-dose vial and administers the dose by infusion, directly to the patient, minimizing the need for manual dose preparation and associated handling, as well as protecting the technologist from the corresponding radiation exposure.

Medrad, Inc. (Warrendale, PA, USA), announced the first installation of its Intego PET infusion system at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (PA, USA). Medrad has partnered with IBA Molecular (Tyngsboro MA, USA), which will supply UPMC with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in a multi-dose vial housed in a specially designed Tungsten vial shield. Use of this innovative system minimizes the need to manually prepare and handle individual FDG doses, considerably reducing potential radiation exposure to hospital personnel.

The Intego system automates the administration of FDG PET/CT imaging procedures. By automating and controlling FDG dosing and infusion, the Intego system precisely, flexibly, safely, and easily administers FDG to patients throughout the day. With the Intego system's dose-on-demand capability, the prescribed dose may be administered when the patient and technologist are ready, enabling technologists to respond easily and efficiently to schedule changes, patient delays, and add-on patients.

"Medrad will improve the quality of healthcare for patients and will enhance procedure safety for clinicians at Intego's first clinical site, UPMC, Hillman Cancer Center. The partnership with IBA Molecular helps us achieve this part of our mission,” said Doug Descalzi, executive director, Medrad Molecular Imaging.

"IBA is very pleased to support this first clinical installation of the Intego system. We are excited to be a part of improving the way FDG is delivered and administered. This innovation will improve safety for technologists and physicians performing positron emission tomography,” said Anwer Rizvi, president, IBA Molecular.

Medrad recently received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for the Intego PET Infusion System.

Medrad is a worldwide leading provider of medical devices and services that enable and enhance imaging procedures of the human body. Used in diagnostic imaging, Medrad's product range includes a range of vascular injection systems, magnetic resonance (MR) surface coils, patient care products, and equipment services.

IBA Molecular is a developer of molecular imaging systems. The company provides a global distribution of advanced cyclotron systems, an effective radiopharmaceutical distribution network, and research radionuclides.

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