Infusion procedure for enhancing image quality
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11986622-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-21
Expiration Date
2039-10-23
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Abstract
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.
Core Innovation
The invention discloses methods of radioisotope infusion that include infusing saline containing a diagnostic dose of a radioisotope into a subject's peripheral vein at a first flow rate, followed by delivering a pre-measured volume of push saline in one or more increments at a second flow rate that is equal to or higher than the first flow rate using a controller and pump. This method improves image quality by reducing background noise and increasing signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR), thus enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
The problem being addressed is that conventional PET imaging suffers from degraded image quality when ultra-short half-life tracers are infused over relatively long periods, leading to issues such as high background noise, low SNR, and low CNR. Prior art systems use saline flushes primarily for air expulsion or to remove residual radioactivity from tubing but do not address image quality improvements related to flow rate control of push saline following radioisotope infusion.
The methods utilize an infusion system comprising a controller, infusion line, and pump, where after administration of saline containing the radioisotope at about 5 to 60 mL/min, a pre-measured push saline volume is delivered at flow rates from about 5 to 300 mL/min, equal or higher than the initial flow rate. This saline push shortens venous transit time, pushes residual radioisotope in the tubing to the target organ, increases myocardial uptake, and thereby significantly improves image counts, SNR, CNR, and reduces image background noise and coefficient of variance.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims that cover methods for radioisotope infusion with push saline delivery and diagnostic imaging with improved image quality, and a claim on the diagnostic image itself obtained by such methods. The main inventive features relate to the controlled infusion flow rates, incremental delivery of push saline, and image quality improvements.
Controlled infusion and push saline flow rates
Infusing a diagnostic dose of radioisotope in saline at about 5 to 60 mL/min into a peripheral vein, followed by delivering a pre-measured volume of push saline in two or more increments, each increment an equal fraction of the total volume, at a push saline flow rate that is about 5 to 60 mL/min, where the push saline flow rate is equal to or higher than the initial infusion flow rate; flow rates for increments may vary.
Improvement of diagnostic heart imaging using push saline increments
Obtaining a diagnostic image of a subject's heart by infusing radioisotope saline into a peripheral vein at about 5 to 60 mL/min, then delivering push saline in two or more equal increments at flow rates equal to or higher than the first, resulting in at least 10% improvement in image background noise compared to methods without push saline.
Diagnostic image produced using controlled infusion and push saline delivery
A diagnostic image of a subject's heart obtained by infusing saline with diagnostic radioisotope dose at about 5 to 60 mL/min, delivering push saline in one or more increments at flow rate equal or higher than the infusion flow rate, resulting in at least 10% improvement in image background noise relative to images from methods without push saline.
The independent claims focus on methods involving controlled infusion of radioactive saline and incremental push saline delivery at defined flow rates equal to or higher than initial infusion, leading to improved diagnostic imaging quality, and claim a diagnostic image obtained via these methods.
Stated Advantages
Improved image quality with lower background noise.
Higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR).
Increased number of image counts leading to enhanced diagnostic images.
Reduction in the need to repeat infusion and imaging procedures.
Reduced patient exposure to radiation.
Decrease in venous return transit time, improving delivery efficiency.
Ability to achieve improved image quality without increasing total radioisotope dose.
Documented Applications
Obtaining diagnostic images of a subject's heart for Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), or planar Gamma Camera (GC) imaging using radioisotope infusion.
Measurement of relative myocardial perfusion and absolute myocardial blood flow in a non-invasive manner.
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