Positron Emission Mammography Technology Used for Novel Radiotracer Research

Universities in the United States are utilizing positron emission mammography (PEM) scanner technology in preclinical and translational research for the development of novel radiotracers.

Johns Hopkins Medicine (Baltimore, MD, USA) has become the latest academic medical center to acquire the Naviscan (San Diego, CA, USA) PEM scanner. The device will be utilized by Richard Wahl, M.D., F.A.C.R, professor of radiology and nuclear medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in the radiotracer research.

"As the use of Naviscan's organ-specific PET [positron emission tomography] imaging technology continues to be used in cutting-edge breast cancer research and clinical patient management, Naviscan is also developing its use in new clinical applications. As a result, the development and clinical validation of novel radiotracers is essential,” said Paul J. Mirabella, chairman and CEO, Naviscan, Inc.

Dr. Wahl patented the technology that enabled Naviscan to develop the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared PET-guided biopsy accessory, known as Stereo Navigator. Naviscan obtained an exclusive license to this patent, which Dr. Wahl developed while he was at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA).

Other academic medical centers utilizing Naviscan's PEM technology include University of Cincinnati, Baylor University (Waco, TX, USA), M.D. Anderson (Houston, TX, USA), University of Chicago (IL, USA), and the Boston University Medical Center (MA, USA).

Naviscan, Inc. develops and markets compact, high-resolution PET scanners intended to provide organ-specific molecular imaging and guide radiologic and surgical procedures. The Naviscan PET scanner is currently installed and available in breast and imaging centers throughout the United States and other parts of the world. The company is the first to obtain FDA clearance for a high-resolution PET scanner designed to image small body parts and for breast-biopsy image guidance.

Related Links:
Johns Hopkins Medicine Center
Naviscan