Technologies

Current standard SPECTs, in order to achieve high resolutions, use a multi-pinholes technology that requires numerous data processing to limit the effects of image distortion. The proposed SSR-SPECT scanner, uses a parallel-hole collimator and therefore does not require numerical reprocessing of the data to obtain correct information on the images, while assuring spatial resolutions close to those of the pinholes through the acquisition of sequences of images shifted from one to another.

Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is regarded as the “gold-standard” method for fluorescence lifetime measurements. However, TCSPC requires using highly sensitive detectors, not suitable for measurements under bright light conditions, thereby making the use impractical in clinical settings. The invention described here solves this problem by synchronizing the fluorescence detection with an external light source.

The aim of the present invention is to develop a modular scintigraphic device, with high spatial resolution, capable of creating investigation areas of various shapes and sizes, of compact form and of being used in different types of applications.

The present invention relates to a gamma camera for intracavitary use, which is widely used in the field of radio-guided surgery (intra-operative and laparoscopic and robotic-assisted) for the localisation of lymph nodes and tumours and/or other pathologies. The aim of the present invention is to make available an intraoperative tool able to overcome the drawbacks of the present known art.

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are 1D structures with diameter ranging from few tens to hundreds of nanometers and length varying from few tens of nanometers to millimiters. SiNWs are fabricated in the labs of the IMM-CNR, Rome Unit,  by using bottom-up technologies such as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) at low growth temperature ((≤350°C), allowing the use of plastic and glassy substrates. Their electrical properties can be tuned by controlling the p/n doping during the growth.

VisLab laboratory of IMM possesses a latest generation Raman micro-spectroscope equipped for vibrational measurements with high spatial and spectral resolution, at controlled temperature and in fast-imaging. The apparatus can be used to collect information and chemico-physical maps without the need for sample preparation and alteration, therefore for non-destructive studies and in operating conditions.

The Nikon reference centre at IBPM ( www.imagingplatformibpmcnr.it ) is a microscopy platform for high resolution imaging of fixed samples and live cells (time-lapse video recording, both wide field and confocal spinning disk). Multimodal (fluorescence and transmitted light) and multidimensional (in x,y,z, 4 wavelengths, over time) acquisition modes are in place.

NIRS is a non-invasive technique for the human brain cortex imaging based on the measurement of the NIR light emitted by suitable optical sources placed on the patient head and backdiffused to the surface after passing through the brain tissues. NIRS monitors the percentage of oxygenated and reduced hemoglobin  in the blood, and it allows the real time functional imaging of the brain cortex also in tomographic mode (Diffuse Optical Tomography - DOT).

The proposing team that works at CNR ISTEC has recently patented a technology for the production of the Smart Polycrystals (SP), i.e. transparent YAG-based ceramic polycrystals (Y₃Al₅O₁₂) variably doped with rare earths ions and transition metals ions. The SPs solve the problem of the reduction of the efficiency in the solid state laser systems caused by the inhomogeneous heating of the single crystals during the emission process.