Positron projection imaging of radiopharmaceutical transport through a multi-compartment model

Estimation of the kinetic properties of radiopharmaceuticals from equilibrium data is uncertain. This situation might be improved if the kinetic transport of the compound could be visualized directly. The authors explored this possibility by constructing a physical device, an "H-cell", that by chemical means was made to exhibit three spatially distinct compartments. Transport of a positron-labeled compound across the interfaces and through these compartments was visualized by dynamic positron projection imaging. Results obtained in these initial experiments suggest this technique may yield useful information about tracer kinetics.