Optimizing Theranostics
Attaining the resolution/sensitivity balance crucial for imaging tracers
Short ¹⁷⁷Lu scans
Enables two peaks acquisition at 3 min/FOV¹ for reading and quantitation
Dynamic 3D SPECT/CT²
Transition from 2D ROI dynamic planar scans to 3D VOI dynamic SPECT scans
Automated scan set-up
Auto motion and positioning to maximize proximity and image quality
Optimizing the highly-targeted, personalized oncological care now made possible by Theranostics (therapeutics & diagnostics) requires accurate quantitation. This is what drove the creation of StarGuide. StarGuide attains resolution and sensitivity levels so critical in monitoring doses from therapy. Its next-generation CZT detectors are capable of imaging the dual energy peaks of 177Lu essential to Theranostics.
"StarGuide represents a breakthrough in the world of SPECT…This system is well designed for Theranostics patients…The advantage is short acquisition times…We will add the dynamic to this full SPECT; we'll be able to delineate the anatomical structures with SPECT/CT.³"
StarGuide is pushing Theranostics forward with its fast dual-peak scanning and its exceptional lesion detectability. Much of what it does, including patient setup and image reconstruction, is automated. AI-enabled Xeleris™ V apps support its role in Theranostics.
177Lu is the isotope used for FDA-approved radiopharmaceutical treatment of PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). StarGuide’s dual peak imaging of 177Lu enables fast scans by utilizing both of its energy peaks for imaging. StarGuide delivers a remarkable 5.9% energy resolution on 99mTc scans and 5% energy resolution on 177Lu (208 keV peak) scans. This superb energy resolution enables differentiation between simultaneously acquired isotopes with smaller differences in peak energies.
Images courtesy of BAMF Health.
The new generation multi-detector CZT-based StarGuide SPECT/CT system can deliver short 177Lu scans. StarGuide’s ring of Digital Focus Detectors enables two peaks acquisition at 3 minutes/FOV¹ for reading and quantitation. The StarGuide system acquired vertex to mid-thighs post-therapy SPECT/CT scans with 4 bed positions at 3 minutes/bed and a total scan time of 12 minutes.¹ Short scanning time like this is an important factor in helping improve patient comfort and enabling the patient to remain still during the entire exam.
StarGuide’s Swift Plan workflow, in concert with advanced automation robotics, intuitive bedside display, table ruler, and Optical Scout’s real-time mapping of the patient’s entire body habitus, enables adaptive, consistent and optimized camera setup and scanning. They combine to determine the bed and detector position for every portion of the scan. Not only does this allow short setup, but it allows for fast transitions between each detector and bed scanning position by enabling StarGuide’s fast robotics to move each detector out the minimal distance required for safe and rapid transition.
Now for the first time, Q.Clear, the Block Sequential Regularized Expectation Maximization algorithm, previously only found on GE HealthCare PET/CT systems, has been engineered for SPECT/CT reconstruction. Q.Clear combines the BSREM algorithm with noise reduction regularization to reach full convergence without the effects of noise development seen with the OSEM algorithm. Q.Clear reconstruction represents a significant step forward for use in SPECT/CT imaging, including in the assessment of treatment response in addition to the diagnosis and staging of disease. This advancement provides outstanding quantitation accuracy.
The Edison Digital Health Platform™ is GE HealthCare’s deep-learning intelligence engine. Edison-powered apps like Q.Thera AI, Q.Volumetrix AI, Q.Lung AI, and Q.Liver provide accurate, efficient and reproducible ways to automatically segment organs for quantitation and dosimetry calculations. Q.Thera AI, GE HealthCare’s Theranostics treatment dose monitoring solution, automatically quantifies and calculates the percentage of injected dose and absorbed dose per organ and lesion. Q.Volumetrix AI is an end-to-end solution for advanced segmentation and quantitation without impeding baseline and longitudinal studies workflow. Q.Lung AI demonstrated an auto lung segmentation success rate of 89%⁵ and an average of 57%⁶ reduction in clicks.
The Digital Focus Detectors of the versatile shape adaptive gantry orbit the body as closely as possible, and from all necessary angles, to scan the target area–such as the spine, heart or brain–and not the air surrounding the patient. The result is improved volume sensitivity⁷ and SPECT resolution⁸. The improved SPECT resolution enables sharp images for better visualization of fine anatomical details, which can help physicians to detect diseases at an earlier stage. The innovative, NM 80 cm bore gantry’s ability to adjust the compact detectors’ proximity to the patient’s body leads to a generation of images with impressive detail not easily obtained on conventional SPECT/CT systems.
It’s very impressive. StarGuide allows us to acquire patient data in the best conditions... The detectors are always as close as possible to the patient, which really improves spatial resolution and sensitivity…The most improved performance is the energy resolution. This is very impressive and it can help us to do dual isotope acquisition very easily.³
With newfound digital medium-energy imaging capabilities at their disposal, clinicians are now able to apply the image quality, efficiency, and productivity benefits of StarGuide’s CZT and other technologies to their Theranostics imaging practices.
StarGuide’s 12 CZT Digital Focus Detectors attain exceptional energy and spatial resolution, striking the right balance of sensitivity and resolution.
Powered by advanced Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) technology, each detector’s 7.25 mm-thick semiconductor crystal is able to directly convert gamma ray photons into digital signals for accurate identification of the event location and energies emitted. Our crystal’s proprietary design makes the module capable of detecting a wide energy range and multiple isotope studies.
Optical Scout performs a preliminary optical scan in seconds that creates an accurate topographical map of the patient.
The real time patient body contour, performed during the motion into the bore, assures fast and safe transitions from one imaging position to the next. After processing the contour data, StarGuide’s detectors and table are automatically positioned in close patient proximity for each bed position before imaging.
SmartConsole is our latest network-capable, image processing sub-system that automates StarGuide reconstructions.
In addition to automating volumetric reconstructions, SmartConsole, which is optimized to host our latest reconstruction algorithms and applications–including FAME (Functional Anatomical Mutual Enhancement) post-processing, simplifies complex hybrid imaging and quantitative protocols, and generates high-quality hybrid images so you can make informed decisions with quantifiable results.
Swift Plan workflow is designed to simplify clinician interactions with a scanner as fast and sophisticated as StarGuide.
Exam setup is quick and easy, requiring only two steps (three if CT is needed). By leveraging proven GE HealthCare innovations like its interactive table ruler and advanced automation robotics, combined with new innovations like intuitive digital bedside touch display and sliding straps, Swift Plan quickly becomes an extremely capable and user-friendly productivity enhancer. Clinicians will appreciate its predictably fast workflows.
Dual-channel collimators, aligned to CZT pixels, enable higher resolution⁸.
Because of their longer septa and equal x and y axes, the tungsten collimators deliver 7.3 mm extrinsic spatial resolution at 10 cm⁹ for SPECT exam clarity.
6 Episodes
Tiny signs of hope:
StarGuide advances Theranostics
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Proven innovations
StarGuide incorporates GE HealthCare’s interactive table ruler and advanced robotics
New innovations
StarGuide breaks new ground with its intuitive digital gantry touch display and sliding straps
Whole-body bone SPECT/CT
Examinations in only one whole-body SPECT acquisition, versus the typical practice of combining 2 or 3 planar and SPECT acquisitions when using traditional dual-head SPECT systems
Lister offline app
Reframing of the acquired scan with post acquisition user selected parameters
Convenient quality control
The line source QC rig mounts directly on to the table and stores in the room between uses
CT Smart Dose
StarGuide leverages GE HealthCare’s innovative CT Smart Dose technologies, such as OptiDose, Q.AC, VISR and ASiR
Reliable scheduling
Planar exams are replaced with the predictable scan times of 3D-only protocols
Click here to learn more about Xeleris V, GE HealthCare’s virtual processing and review solution for nuclear medicine, including clinical applications such as these.
Q.Volumetrix AI
Advanced segmentation and quantitation without impeding baseline and longitudinal studies workflow
Q.Lung AI
Automatic segmentation, processing, quantifying and reviewing of lung SPECT/CT
Q.Liver
Enhanced workflow for assessing liver anatomy, an automatic method for liver segmentation and a single platform to facilitate dose calculation
Q.Thera AI
Segments lesion volumes and can automatically segment organs, as well as quantify and calculate the percent of injected and absorbed dose per organ and lesion
The Nuclear Medicine staff at Orléans Hospital highlight their experience in the two years since StarGuide’s launch.
StarGuide offers fast and focused imaging in high resolution.
Image acquistion, collimator shape, and SmartConsole are hallmarks of StarGuide.
A full tomographic system for 2D, 3D, and even 4D imaging.²
Fast acquisition time makes it comfortable for patients.
Intuitive design and ease of use for technologists.
StarGuide is used in clinical routines for many types of SPECT imaging.
Hear from the NM staff at Orléans Hospital about their partnership with GE HealthCare.
NM/CT 870 DR
