Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have outlined the development and benefits of an innovative diagnostic tool and explained how maximizing PET sensitivity will advance clinical research and patient care.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is widely considered the most sensitive technique available for non-invasively studying physiology, metabolism and molecular pathways in the living human being.

The new total-body PET/CT scanner could revolutionize the understanding and treatment of disease through analysis of better imaging data from the whole body.

Total-body PET, which encompasses the entire body within the field of view and allows imaging of all the tissues and organs of the body simultaneously, promises to be a game changer.

The university, in collaboration with United Imaging Healthcare, has completed the design of the first prototype total-body PET/CT scanner, called EXPLORER, and components are currently being fabricated and tested.