Press release
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

The Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre unveiled their new PET/CT imaging program last week.
“This leading-edge technology will be a key component of the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute’s molecular imaging and advanced diagnostics agenda,” said board chairman Keith Jobbitt.

“Our career and clinical scientists will soon have access to the best PET technology in the world,” he noted. “It’s a great start to our molecular imaging research program.”
The new PET/CT unit—the 64-Slice Philips Gemini TF—is considered the most advanced technology in PET imaging, using TruFlight technology to achieve “time-of-flight” imaging.
TruFlight delivers faster scans, better image quality, and the most advanced platform available for demanding molecular imaging applications.
The machine will be operated by the research institute and housed at the TBRHSC’s Regional Cancer Centre, given the majority of patients who will benefit from the research are cancer patients.
Working within the molecular imaging program of the research institute, career scientist Dr. Alla Reznik and founding scientific director Dr. John Rowlands will conduct research on how to improve current PET technology and ideally create the scanner of the future.
Cancer patients in Northwestern Ontario soon will be offered PET/CT studies in accordance with approved clinical trials and research studies in Ontario.
“PET research is a non-invasive analysis of the efficacy of treatment, whether it’s radiation or chemotherapy,” said Dr. Rowlands. “It provides a quantitative analysis of the treatment efficacy.”
“Basically, PET/CT research allows us to detect cancer more precisely because we’re looking at it on a molecular level,” noted Michael Power, acting CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute.
“If we’re detecting disease more precisely, it will reduce the impact of more invasive procedures like surgery and assist in treatment planning,” he added.
The new research program will cost roughly $4.5 million in upfront capital costs, with the operating support provided by provincial and national research grants.
The capital funding was provided by FedNor, the Ontario Heritage Fund, Philips Healthcare, and Cancer Care Ontario.