GE HealthCare has extended its research partnership with Stanford Medicine to focus on advancing total body PET/CT technology.
The collaboration aims to explore new clinical pathways and enhance patient outcomes through innovative imaging solutions. The partnership will focus on the development and research of precision care using PET/CT scanners, which are pivotal in various disease states.
These scanners support theranostics in oncology, streamline radiation oncology workflows, assist in Alzheimer’s evaluation, and aid in diagnosing coronary artery disease.
Stanford Medicine department of radiology interim chair Dr Quynh-Thu Le said: “PET/CT has revolutionised the way we understand and treat disease by allowing us to visualise biological processes at the cellular level.
“With total body PET/CT, we can explore new frontiers. Not only do we expect it will be faster, but we also believe it will fundamentally expand what is possible in translational research.”
PET/CT technology offers a unique advantage by visualising biological processes at the cellular level. It helps in early disease identification, detailed assessment, and treatment planning. The non-invasive nature of this technology provides critical insights that are essential for improving patient care and accelerating drug development.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine and engineers at GE HealthCare are working to advance next-generation PET/CT technology. Their goal is to improve diagnosis, staging, therapeutic planning, and treatment response evaluation across various care pathways.
The collaboration also aims to overcome barriers that have limited the widespread adoption of PET/CT technology beyond oncology. GE HealthCare plans to demonstrate how total body PET/CT imaging can be used in collaboration with leading healthcare institutions globally.
The initiative seeks to expand the use of PET/CT by leveraging ultra-high sensitivity technology, which can significantly reduce scan time and the injected dose. This is particularly beneficial for vulnerable patients, such as children, where quicker scans can reduce the need for anaesthesia and sedation.
To support this research and meet clinical demands, GE HealthCare has designed its total body PET/CT technology to enable ultra-low dose scans, fast acquisitions, multi-organ dynamic imaging, and dual tracer imaging.
These features are crucial for improving diagnostic confidence. Additionally, the technology aims to enhance healthcare system efficiency by improving clinical workflows, supporting routine clinical practice, and increasing operational efficiency.
GE HealthCare molecular imaging and computed tomography Jean-Luc Procaccini said: “We’re proud to collaborate with world-class institutions to explore new clinical frontiers in oncology and beyond.
“Together with our MIM software solutions, we’re designing flexible, AI-enhanced tools that not only aim to enhance diagnostic confidence and operational efficiency but also help clinicians deliver more precise, personalised care that can truly improve patient outcomes.”
