A vision to increase the availability of PET diagnostics in low- and medium-income countries by combining a low-cost modular J-PET tomograph with the 44Ti/44Sc generator
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Objectives: This paper presents the prospects for increasing the availability of PET diagnostics by combining low-cost, lightweight and easily portable modular J-PET with the 44Ti/44Sc generator. Methods: J-PET is constructed based on the low-cost axially arranged plastic scintillators that may enable the construction of PET scanners 5 to 10 times less expensive compared to current PET systems, which are based on crystal scintillators. Development of the radionuclide 44Ti/44Sc generator with the 60-year half-lifetime would enable long-term onsite production of 44Sc labelled radiopharmaceuticals, eliminating the need for extensive and costly infrastructure typically associated with nuclear medicine. Presently applied 68Ge/68Ga generators with the 270 days half-lifetime require renewal every year. The 44Ti/44Sc generator could, in principle, be purchased once every half century. Results: The lightweight and portable J-PET scanner, combined with the 44Ti/44Sc generator, can be deployed in remote and underserved regions, thus democratising access to advanced medical-imaging techniques. Conclusions: This novel concept shows the transformative potential of combining innovative J-PET technology with the 44Ti/44Sc generator to make advanced diagnostics more accessible and affordable worldwide, especially benefiting millions of patients in low- and medium-income countries, and driving further innovations in medical imaging.
Source: Bio-Algorithms and Med-Systems
Authors: Paweł Moskal, Ewa Stępień, Aleksander Khreptak
Institution: Jagiellonian University
Language: English
Subfield: Radiation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4406670132