Ambulatory Microdose PET: A Wearable PET Scanner for Neurologic Imaging

The ambulatory microdose PET scanner is an innovative machine that is advancing the field of nuclear medicine neurologic imaging. This scanner is a wearable helmet that allows neurologic PET imaging to be done while a subject is sitting upright or ambulating. It has the potential to tell researchers and physicians more about how the brain and movement are connected and give more insight on the deeper structures. The evolving design of the helmet has grown to show improvement in image quality and the ability to image the brain with useful information on different neurologic disorders and diseases. When the ambulatory microdose PET scanner is compared with a conventional PET scanner, it not only provides higher-resolution images and increased sensitivity while allowing the patient to have a greater range of motion but also allows for the introduction of newer radiotracers and lower radiation doses.