Tissue interventions using nuclear-emission image guidance

1. A method for using positron emission tomography to obtain positional data relating to a lesion in a body part into which a radiopharmaceutical substance has been injected, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting gamma radiation emitted from the lesion in the body part using a positron emission tomography device;

using the detected gamma radiation to determine the positional data;

inserting a fixed-geometry radioactive marker into the body part, wherein gamma radiation emitted from the radioactive marker is distinguishable from the gamma radiation emitted from the lesion, wherein the radioactive marker is contained within a fixed-geometry tube having a proximal tube portion extending in a first direction and a distal tube portion extending in a second, different direction, with the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion charged with the radioactive marker such that the tube contains the radioactive marker along the tube in both the first direction and in the second, different direction such that the effect of radioactive marker extending in both the first and second directions is usable to determine the position and orientation of the hollow tube using the positron emission tomography device;

causing the tube to be sealed at a proximal end of said proximal tube portion and at a distal end of said distal tube portion;

introducing the tube into the body part;

anchoring the tube proximal portion to the lesion; and

detecting the position and orientation of the tube by detecting the radioactive marker in both the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the radioactive marker includes a source of radioisotope, the radioisotope being selected from the group consisting of 2[F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose, sodium-22, cobalt-57, and germanium-68.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of using the detected gamma radiation to determine the positional data comprises:

using at least two detector heads to detect gamma rays;

using a coincident timing window to determine lines of response; and

using the lines of response to form a representation of a distribution of positron-emitting sources in the body part.

4. A method for using positron nuclear emission image guidance to obtain positional data relating to a lesion in a body part into which a radiopharmaceutical substance has been injected, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting gamma radiation emitted from the lesion in the body part using a positron emission tomography device;

using the detected gamma radiation to determine the positional data; data;

inserting a fixed-geometry radioactive marker into the body part, wherein gamma radiation emitted from the radioactive marker is distinguishable from the gamma radiation emitted from the lesion, wherein the radioactive marker is contained within a fixed-geometry tube having a proximal tube portion extending in a first direction and a distal tube portion extending in a second, different direction, with the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion charged with the radioactive marker such that the tube contains the radioactive marker along the tube in both the first direction and in the second, different direction such that the effect of radioactive marker extending in both the first and second directions is usable to determine the position and orientation of the hollow tube using the positron emission tomography device;

sealing the tube at a proximal end of said proximal tube portion and at a distal end of said distal tube portion;

introducing the tube into the body part;

anchoring the tube proximal portion to the lesion; and

detecting the position and orientation of the tube by detecting the radioactive marker in both the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the radiopharmaceutical substance is selected from the group consisting of FDG and sestamibi.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the radioactive marker includes a source of radioisotope, the radioisotope being selected from the group consisting of sodium-22, germanium-68, 2[F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose, and cobalt-57.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of using the detected gamma radiation to determine the positional data comprises:

using at least two detector heads to detect gamma rays;

using a coincident timing window to determine lines of response; and

using the lines of response to form a representation of a distribution of nuclei-emitting sources in the body part.

8. An interventional procedure kit that can be used in conjunction with a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner system for obtaining image data relating to a compressed and/or immobilized body part, the system comprising a first detector head and a second detector head, wherein each of the first and second detector heads includes materials that are sensitive to gamma radiation emitted from the body part; and wherein coincidence gating is applied between signals detected by the first and second detector heads; and

wherein a result of the applied coincidence gating is used to determine the image data, the interventional procedure kit comprising:

a fixed-geometry wire having a proximal portion extending in a first direction and a distal portion extending in a second, different direction, both the proximal portion and the distal portion being filled with radioactive material such that both the direction and orientation of the positron wire are detectable with the positron emission tomography scanner system, the gamma radiation from the fixed-geometry wire being distinguishable from the gamma radiation emitted by the body part, the wire being sealed at a distal section and at a proximal section to seal the radioactive material within the proximal portion and the distal portion.

9. The interventional procedure kit of claim 8 , wherein the wire includes an anchoring bend, disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion, for anchoring the wire in a position within the body part.

10. The interventional procedure kit of claim 8 , wherein the wire includes an anchoring barb for anchoring the wire in a position within the body part.

11. The interventional procedure kit of claim 8 , wherein the radioactive material includes a radiopharmaceutical selected from the group consisting of FDG and sestamibi.

12. The interventional procedure kit of claim 8 , wherein the radioactive material includes a source of radioisotope, the radioisotope being selected from the group consisting of sodium-22, germanium-68, 2[F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose, and cobalt-57.

13. A method of marking a lesion in a body part, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first positron-emission image of the body part from gamma radiation emitted therefrom;

determining an approximate position of the lesion from the first image;

percutaneously introducing a cannula to the determined approximate position;

inserting a fixed geometry wire into the cannula, the wire having a proximal portion extending in a first direction and a distal portion extending in a second, different direction, both the proximal portion and the distal portion being filled with a radioactive material such that both the direction and orientation of the wire are detectable with positron emission tomography, the wire being sealed at a distal section and at a proximal section to seal the radioactive material within the proximal portion and the distal portion, the gamma radiation from the fixed-geometry wire being distinguishable from the gamma radiation emitted by the body part;

retracting the cannula while holding the wire in place; and

obtaining a second positron-emission image of the body part, wherein the second image includes data relating to a position of the lesion and data relating to the position and orientation of the wire.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the radioactive material includes a radiopharmaceutical selected from the group consisting of FDG and sestamibi.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the radioactive material includes a source of radioisotope, the radioisotope being selected from the group consisting of sodium-22, germanium-68, and cobalt-57.

16. A method for using positron emission image guidance to enable an intervention relating to a lesion in a portion of tissue within a body part, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first positron emission tomograph of the portion of tissue from gamma radiation emitted therefrom;

determining spatial coordinates of the portion of tissue;

using the determined spatial coordinates to determine a desired position and orientation for a radioactive marker;

introducing a fixed-geometry tube containing the radioactive marker into the portion of tissue, the tube having a proximal tube portion extending in a first direction and a distal tube portion extending in a second, different direction, with the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion charged with the radioactive marker such that the tube contains the radioactive marker along the tube in both the first direction and in the second, different direction such that the radioactive marker is usable to determine the position and orientation of the tube using a positron emission tomography device, the gamma radiation from the fixed-geometry tube being distinguishable m the gamma radiation emitted by the portion of the tissue;

obtaining a second positron emission tomograph of the portion of tissue, the second tomograph including data relating to the position and orientation of the radioactive marker; and

positioning an interventional device using the second tomograph.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:

using the second tomograph to determine whether the radioactive marker is correctly positioned and oriented in the second tomograph; and

when it is determined that the radioactive marker is not correctly positioned and oriented, adjusting a position or orientation of the radioactive marker and obtaining an additional positron emission tomograph of the portion of tissue that includes data relating to the adjusted position and orientation of the radioactive marker.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of removing the radioactive marker.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of affixing the radioactive marker to the interventional device.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:

commencing performance of an intervention; and

obtaining an additional positron emission tomograph during the intervention.

21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:

commencing performance of an intervention;

completing the intervention; and

obtaining an additional positron emission tomograph after the intervention.

22. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of placing the radioactive marker within the interventional device.

23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising the steps of:

commencing performance of an intervention; and

obtaining an additional positron emission tomograph during the intervention.

24. The method of claim 22 , further comprising the steps of:

commencing performance of an intervention;

completing the intervention; and

obtaining an additional positron nuclear emission tomograph after the intervention.

25. A positron emission tomography system for obtaining image data relating to a compressed and/or immobilized body part, the system comprising:

a fixed-geometry wire that is charged with a radioactive marker, the wire having a proximal portion extending in a first direction and a distal portion extending in a second, different direction, both the proximal portion and the distal portion being filled with the radioactive marker such that both the direction and orientation of the wire are detectable with positron emission tomography, the wire being sealed at a distal section and at a proximal section to seal the radioactive material within the proximal portion and the distal portion;

an apparatus for detecting gamma radiation emitted by a lesion in a body part; and

an apparatus for detecting positron emission data, wherein when the wire is positioned near a the lesion in the body part, the system is configured to provide image data for enabling an interventional device to be positioned and oriented for performance of an intervention relating to the lesion, the gamma radiation from the fixed-geometry wire being distinguishable from gamma radiation emitted by the lesion.