Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

Jubilant Draximage Inc.

Robert A deKemp

Indranil Nandi

Etienne Lefort

Ran Klein

Vincenzo Teoli

Chad Roger Ronald Nicholas Hunter

Eric James Moulton

ÉTienne Lefort

Disclosed are methods of radioisotope infusion comprising infusing saline comprising a diagnostic dose of a radioisotope, and delivering a pre-measured volume of push saline. The radioisotope may beRb,O,N,C orF. The radioisotope is infused in the subject for imaging of the heart using Positron Emission Tomography imaging. The methods confer improved image quality with low background noise, higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) and higher contrast to noise ratio (CNR), leading to better diagnosis and thus eliminating the need of repeating the infusion and imaging which in turn reduces exposure of a patient to radiation.

Infusion procedure for enhancing image quality

The present invention provides an image processing method to assess quantitative myocardial blood flow and/or myocardial flow reserve, comprising the steps of: (a) pre-processing of images comprises: (i) reconstructing dynamic cine 3D tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) data, (ii) optionally, denoising to improve the quality of image, (iii) extracting blood input function from a region of interest (ROI) of the left ventricle blood cavity, (iv) estimating the distribution volume (DV), given by the ratio of uptake and washout rates (K/k) to stabilize and improve estimation of K, kand total blood volume (TBV) and subsequent myocardial blood flow measures, and (v) data normalization by dividing by the maximum of the blood input function; (b) assessing the individual signals pre-processed in step (a) in order to generate Kand TBV parametric maps using artificial neural network; (c) post-processing of K, kand TBV parametric maps; and of rest and stress myocardial blood flow to estimate myocardial flow reserve (MFR) and/or coronary flow reserve (CFR).

Imaging method for diagnosing cardiovascular disease

Disclosed are methods of radioisotope infusion comprising infusing saline comprising a diagnostic dose of a radioisotope, and delivering a pre-measured volume of push saline. The disclosed methods confer improved image quality with low background noise, higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) and higher contrast to noise ratio (CNR), leading to better diagnosis and thus eliminating the need of repeating the infusion and imaging which in turn reduces exposure of a patient to radiation.

AnSr/Rb generator column is made using a fluid impervious cylindrical container having a cover for closing the container in a fluid tight seal, and further having an inlet for connection of a conduit for delivering a fluid into the container and an outlet for connection of a conduit for conducting the fluid from the container. An ion exchange material fills the container, the ion exchange material being compacted within the container to a density that permits the ion exchange material to be eluted at a rate of at least 5 ml/min at a fluid pressure of 1.5 pounds per square inch (10 kPa). The generator column can be repeatedly recharged withSr. The generator column is compatible with either three-dimensional or two-dimensional positron emission tomography systems.

Rubidium generator for cardiac perfusion imaging and method of making and maintaining same

A method of controlling anSr/Rb elution system having a generator valve for proportioning a flow of saline solution between anSr/Rb generator and a bypass line coupled to an outlet of the generator such that saline solution traversing the bypass line will merge with eluted saline solution emerging from the generator to provide an active saline solution. During each elution run, a plurality of successive concentration parameter values are obtained at predetermined intervals. Each concentration parameter value is indicative of a respective instantaneous activity concentration of the active saline solution. Respective error values between each concentration parameter value and a target activity concentration value of the elution run are computed. Error data based on a plurality of the computed error values is accumulated. Between successive elution runs, at least one performance parameter of the elution system is adjusted based on the accumulated error data.

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Ottawa, Canada

Robert A deKemp