Research and Development

La recherche clinique du Service de médecine nucléaire

La recherche du Service de médecine nucléaire et imagerie moléculaire a pour objectif de développer, optimiser et évaluer de façon translationnelle l’impact clinique d’outils d’imagerie moléculaire et théranostiques en médecine nucléaire pour offrir à chaque patient un diagnostic précis et un traitement ciblé.

Nous travaillons sur tous les domaines d’application de la médecine nucléaire, principalement en oncologie, cardiologie et neurologie, notamment pour le développement et la validation de radiopharmaceutiques de recherche diagnostiques et thérapeutiques ainsi que pour l’implémentation de techniques d’intelligence artificielle pour l’analyse d’images et de texte. Une partie de la production des radiopharmaceutiques de recherche est assurée par notre cyclotron médical, unique en Romandie.

Nous travaillons en collaboration étroite avec plusieurs départements des Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, avec plusieurs groupes de la Faculté de médecine de Genève ainsi qu'au sein de réseaux de recherche lémaniques, comme par exemple le Centre d’Imagerie Biomédicale (CIBM) et le Centre d’Oncologie Translationnelle (GTO).

Cette position privilégiée nous permet d’assurer la translation des innovations scientifiques en pratique clinique, pour garantir aux patients une prise en charge d’excellence. Nos projets bénéficient aussi de collaborations locales, notamment avec le Campus Biotech de Genève, nationales, avec le CHUV et l'UNIL à Lausanne, l'ETH et l'USZ de Zürich, et internationales, avec une participation active dans l’association européenne de médecine nucléaire (EANM) et dans de nombreuses initiatives multicentriques.

The following is a list of key events that took place in recent years at the Nuclear Medicine Division.

In 2014
In 2013
In 2012
In 2011
In 2010

In 2014

Purchase of a newest generation PET-CT scanner

The upgrade to one of our PET-CT enabled us to purchase the newest generation hybrid model (Siemens mCT Flow). This scanner, equipped with a new PET time-of-flight and continuous acquisition technology allows us to obtain very high resolution images with reduced acquisition times and lower tracer doses. The combined CT scanner is also very performing with 128 sensors and a high-definition acquisition technology that uses very low doses of radiation.

Project start-up to elevate to laboratory standards

New federal regulations require us to upgrade our laboratories that prepare tracers injected in patients according to new industrial standards for “good medical practices” (GMP). This required a detailed technical analysis over several months in 2013 and heading up a complete renovation of all sections of laboratories and patient care premises.. This work that began in 2014 will continue until the end of 2015 without affecting our clinical services.

Going live with VENUS software

A new management software for division activities, and in particular the services for preparing and monitoring radiopharmaceuticals and examination protocols has been installed and gone live. This software improves communication and the monitoring of processes between the various service providers (secretaries, lab workers, technicians, physicians) since it provides real-time monitoring and traceability of all actions and procedures performed in the division. This new software also complies with new standards for quality control and traceability of our services.

Patient Info Brochures

We have decided to publish a new series of informational brochures for our patients and their attending physicians in order to better explain the special features and deployment of our new specialized examinations. In addition, we will regularly publish “Information Bulletins” about the model already installed by the Radiation Oncology Division. The purpose of these bulletins is to inform the medical community of new services and changes in the clinical indications and terms of reimbursement for the various exams and treatments that we provide in our division.

In 2013

Renovation of the bone densitometry section

With the upgrade to our two mineralometry machines, we were able to restructure our bone densitometry section. Improvements to exam rooms as well as work spaces were designed to increase patient comfort while optimizing the work for technicians and
physicians who will perform these tests in a space that is better structured for analysis and monitoring tasks during examinations.

Publication of the first atlas of hybrid PET-MRI images

The installation at HUG of the first PET-MRI scanner in Europe
has enabled the imaging of a sufficient number of scans of various
disorders and publish a first work on this new technology. The publication of this work was made possible with a collaboration
between of all of the nuclear radiologists and physicians
in Geneva and Munich which was the second center in Europe to
install this type of device. An iPad application was also created
for interactive image sharing.

Construction of the Institute for Translational Molecular Imaging

This project materialized from financing by the Neuropolis project of the EPFL and was completed on the 6th floor of the laboratory building (BatLab) next to the hospital. Located on the 6th floor of the Batlab, this
institute will occupy a 600 m2 area designed for research programs in pre-clinical translational imaging on small animals around four topic areas: molecular imaging, nanotechnology, radiochemistry and computer modeling of biological processes.

Creation of a Wiki server for document management

The Nuclear Medicine Division has created a prototype for document management based on a Wiki server designed for posting all our protocol documents, procedures and documents related to all of the division’s clinical and technical services online. This new
and interactive system will provide better management and make it easier to update all documents required for division operations. It will also serve as a communication and information tool between the various job sectors.

In 2012

Creation of a molecular neuro-imaging program

This year saw the creation of a new cross-disciplinary program grouping 4 divisions and 3 departments: Neurology, Neuroradiology, Adult Psychiatry and Nuclear Medicine Divisions. The mission of this program is to federate and coordinate efforts and projects in the development of new molecular imaging techniques for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Patient information iPad application

Based on the need to improve patient information in the Nuclear Medicine Division and thanks to support from the HUG private foundation, an interactive system for sharing information and videos for patients was developed. The purpose is to better prepare patients for their scans in order to obtain better results and enhance their comfort during their stay in the hospital.

Creation of an Institute for Translational Molecular Imaging

As part of the Neuropolis project announced by the EPFL, Geneva received 10 million euros to finance an Institute for Molecular Imaging to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The project is centered around four areas: animal imaging, nanotechnology, radiochemistry and computer modeling.

European Multiscale Human Project

The HUG will be partners in a major European project called “Multiscale Human” which forms part of the European FP7 Marie-Curie program to develop a computerized graphics model of the human body. In Switzerland, we are one of its two main partners with the MIRALAB under the direction of Prof. Thalmann. Our participation is funded by a 500,000 euros subsidy to develop a model of muscle functions using PET-MRI images.

In 2011

First advanced courses in French on hybrid imaging

In order to meet a demand from professionals in nuclear medicine and radiology, we organized the first course in French on hybrid imaging (PET-CT, SPECT-CT and PET-MRI). The success of this first course largely exceeded our expectations with a record number of participants. We will offer this course annually starting next year.

Trimodal animal scanner upgrade

After using a first-generation PET-CT hybrid animal scanner, we were able to replace it with the first triple-mode PET-SPECT-CT animal scanner in our pre-clinical imaging laboratory. This instrument serves to validate and study new tracers developed in our cyclotron unit using animal models prior to human application.

Clinical launch of the PET-MRI

After a year of clinical tests and validation, our PET-MRI scanner (the first in Europe) achieved CE certification allowing it to be used in clinical practice. Since January 2011, many clinical applications for hybrid PET-MRI examinations have been gradually added, such as the evaluation of ENT cancers, breast and prostate cancer and gynecological cancers. Other new applications in neurological imaging are also underway.

Treatment of liver metastases using radioactive microspheres

A new method for treating liver metastases and tumors was introduced because of the work of a multidisciplinary team from radiology, nuclear medicine and abdominal surgery. This technique, based on an interventional radiologist's injection of microspheres marked with Yttrium-90, is used to treat liver lesions by local irradiation. PET-MRI hybrid images are then used to monitor the effects of treatment.

In 2010

Launch of the PET-MRI unit

The installation and launch of the first PET-MRI hybrid scanner in Europe was tested and validated by multidisciplinary HUG teams made up of radiologists, nuclear physicians, medical physicists and technicians specialized in medical radiology. Tests conducted in Geneva were able to confirm its use in clinical practice.

Installation of a new SPECT-CT camera in cardiology

This new facility for nuclear cardiology tests combines two state-of-the-art technologies (a high-speed Single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) camera and a flat panel CT scanner) allowing to combine anatomical images with scintigraphy images and more accurately correct tissue attenuation in cardiac scintigraphy images.

AETAS Prize for a research project on Alzheimer’s disease

Dr. Valentina Garibotto was awarded a research bursary from the AETAS Foundation for a proposed project in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics to use PET and MRI imaging (using the new PET-MRI hybrid scanner) to investigate an initial group of healthy volunteers and patients affected with slight cognitive impairment that is often a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.

New full-body SPECT-CT hybrid camera

This hybrid camera, which combines a 6-bar CT scanner with a tomoscintigraphy (SPECT) camera, is now part of our multi-mode scanners used to combine anatomical and metabolic images. This scanner was installed at the end of 2010 and will provide even more effective tests in areas such as oncology and musculoskeletal and endocrine system disorders.

Appointing the Head of Division at the Neufchatel Hospital Group

Dr. Michael Wissmeyer, Head of Nuclear Medicine at the Neufchatel Hospital Group in La Chaux-de-Fonds. He continues to maintain a collaboration between the two divisions as an Associate Physician and is conducting a number of research projects in Geneva.

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