Development of positron sensor for multi-modal endoscopy

Endoscopy is an important inspection device to detect cancers in the human body, but there exists the case of cancer that is hard to detect with only an optical device. Double inspection with optical and radio images is preferable for high accuracy diagnosis, and real time radio imaging is also promising for real time surgery with an endoscope. We have simulated, designed and fabricated a Si-based positron imaging probe for more accurate cancer detection in multi-modality endoscope systems. The fabricated Si-based detector with 2 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness was tested with gamma and positron sources, and also tested to detect cancers in a tumor bearing mouse. The direct positron imaging could have an advantage over gamma imaging in its high sensitivity and resolution. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.