Direct Charged-Particle Imaging System Using an Ultra-Thin Phosphor: Physical Characterization and Dynamic Applications

Imaging beta rays in vivo will help to advance micro-dosimetry and radiopharmaceutical development. In an earlier paper [1], we reported a newly developed system capable of directly imaging high-energy electron emissions in small animals in vivo. In this paper, we have thoroughly characterized the performance of the system. We have measured the sensitivity and detectability and the spatial resolution at various magnifications, as well as the linearity of the system. The system has also demonstrated the capability of directly detecting conversion electrons and positrons as well as beta rays. The system has been applied to dynamically image spatiotemporal F-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake distributions in xenograft small tumors in dorsal window chambers on mice in vivo. Heterogeneity in FDG uptake in millimeter-sized tumors has been observed.