MERMAID - A PET Prototype for Small Aquatic Animal Imaging

MERMAID (Multi-Emission Radioisotopes - Marine Animal Imaging Device) is the first dedicated device for radioisotope imaging of small aquatic animals. Fish are essential in several research areas, including biomedical and aquaculture research. One of the objectives of the project is the construction of a dedicated high-resolution prototype for positron emission tomography (PET) of aquatic animals. We have built and calibrated a PET prototype and acquired first images of point sources and phantoms. Furthermore, a design of an immobilisation method for fish is presented that facilitates their in-vivo imaging.