Speaker
Description
Introduction
Conventional PET/CT systems acquire images sequentially along a single axis using a moving patient table, typically within one or two adjacent gantry enclosures. Although whole-body imaging is feasible in this configuration, it requires multiple discrete bed positions and is therefore more susceptible to motion-related artefacts than total-body approaches. In addition, total-body imaging offers the potential to image the same volume with reduced radiopharmaceutical activity compared with standard multi-bed whole-body protocols [1].
Methods
The total-body Jagiellonian-PET (J-PET) project [2,3] adopts a two-axis architecture in which PET and CT operate around the same stationary patient table from different motion axes. This concept is intended to reduce involuntary patient-motion artefacts while maintaining a compact system layout. However, the implementation of crossed-axis motion for heavy imaging modules introduces demanding mechanical requirements, including the transport of components exceeding 1000 kg with sub-millimetre positioning precision on intersecting axes within a shared footprint. To address these constraints, we developed a cross-stage sliding gantry concept based on discrete rail placement and lead-screw-driven stages, avoiding conventional stacked linear-motion arrangements [4]. The motion platform is built on a custom aluminium-alloy base frame and incorporates hardened steel ball screws, two servo motors, and two servo drivers for two-axis gantry motion. In parallel, a dedicated vertical-motion system was developed for the patient table and integrated at both ends of the support. The table consists of a lightweight sandwich structure composed of 3 mm carbon fibre, 2.4 cm PMI foam, and 3 mm carbon fibre, thereby reducing both weight and photon interaction within the patient support. The resulting system enables examinations over a scanning length of up to 2.5 m, sufficient for full-body PET studies.
Results
The 3D design, fabrication, and installation of the two-axis gantry system have been completed successfully. The next phase will include CT image acquisition using the installed platform, followed by integration of the total-body J-PET detector for combined anatomical and metabolic imaging.
Conclusion
The two-axis sliding gantry system has been installed at the Theranostics Center in Krakow. We present the implemented mechanical architecture and operational workflow for compact total-body J-PET/CT imaging around a stationary patient support. The current configuration demonstrates the feasibility of dual-axis multimodal imaging with reduced dependence on patient-table translation and provides a flexible platform for further development of total-body J-PET/CT.
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge support from NCN (grants 2021/42/A/ST2/00423, 2021/43/B/ST2/02150, 2022/47/I/NZ7/03112, 2023/50/E/ST2/00574), MNiSW (IAL/SP/596235/2023 and SPUB/SP/627733/2025), SciMat and qLife Priority Research Areas, ERC Advanced Grant POSITRONIUM no. 101199807.
[1] Vandenberghe, S., et al., (2020). State of the art in total body PET. EJNMMI Physics, 7, 35.
[2] Moskal, P. et al. (2021). Simulating NEMA characteristics of the modular total-body J-PET scanner—an economic total-body PET from plastic scintillators. Physics in Medicine & Biology, 66(17), 175015.
[3] Moskal, P., & Stępień, E. Ł. (2020). Prospects and Clinical Perspectives of Total-Body PET Imaging Using Plastic Scintillators. PET Clinics, 15(4), 439–452.
[4] Kaplanoglu, T., & Moskal, P. (2023). Across-staged gantry for total-body PET and CT imaging. Bio-Algorithms and Med-Systems, 19(1), 109–113.
| Track | TBPET |
|---|---|
| Presentation type | Oral |