A hand-held beta imaging probe for FDG

Objectives Advances in radiopharmaceuticals and clinical understanding have escalated the use of intraoperative gamma probes in surgery. However, most probes on the market are non-imaging gamma probes that suffer from the lack of ancillary information of the surveyed tissue area. We have developed a novel, hand-held digital Imaging Beta Probe™ (IBP™) to be used in surgery in conjunction with beta-emitting radiopharmaceuticals such as 18 FDG, 131 I and 32 P for real-time imaging of a surveyed area with higher spatial resolution and sensitivity and greater convenience than existing instruments. Methods We describe the design and validation of a hand-held beta probe intended to be used as a visual mapping device to locate and confirm excision of 18 FDG-avid primary tumors and metastases in an animal model. Results We have demonstrated a device which can generate beta images from 18 FDG avid lesions in an animal model. Conclusions It is feasible to image beta irradiation in animal models of cancer given 18 FDG. This technology may be applied to clinical mapping of tumors and/or their metastases in the operating room. Visual image depiction of malignancy may aid the surgeon in localization and excision of lesions of interest.