CISCenter for Image Sciences

Available equipment:
1. 7T platform, including multi-transmit capabilities, multi-nuclear capabilities
Current Research:
World leading in first in man research in the area of technology development to study pathophysiology of cerebral small vessel disease (stroke, aneurysms, vascular dementia), ALS, schizophrenia, breast-, prostate-, brain-, upper and lower GI cancer, cardio vascular imaging (atherosclerosis, fibrosis), regenerative imaging (stem cell therapy for cartilage and myocardial muscle repair, valve replacements)
Future investments:
Expanding 7T capabilities (metabolism), based on a unique (world's first) small footprint home-built 7T platform
2. MR guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MR-HIFU) (State of the art MRI (1.5T) guided HIFU)
Current Research:
World leading in technology development of MR-HIFU ablations of breast cancer lesions
Future Investments:
Infrastructure for local, targeted drug delivery (thermo-sensitive liposomal drug delivery, brain-blood barrier disruption), drug delivery by blood-brain distortions (dedicated MRI-HIFU combinations) and local histotripsy applications for immune-modulation to tumor biology and checkpoint inhibition.
3. MR guided radiotherapy:Three MRI – linear accelerator platforms for real time, MR guided, adaptive radiotherapy applications; one platform fully dedicated to research
Current Research:
The CIS is world leading in MR guided external beam radiation treatments. In combining (real time) MRI and external beam radiation the center is second to none.
Future Investments:
Extending MR guidance into the field of MR guided proton therapy. Design of an experimental MRI guided proton therapy system. Clinical evaluation of such a system within the PMC setting in collaboration with leading industry.
4. MRI-PET (Under development)
Current Research:
With its unique knowledge on MR based, 4D (spatial & temporal resolution) real time conformational studies, MR tissue contrast, combined with new PET tracer capabilities beyond FDG only (e.g. 68Ga-PSMA), the CIS is optimally positioned for the further development and exploration of a fully integrated MRI-PET platform. The uniqueness of the CIS applications will reside in the full incorporation of the MRI-PET based sciences towards therapeutic applications.
Future Investments:
MRI-PET platform for guidance of therapy, based on a 1.5T MRI system (which will discriminate this system from all other currently available MRI-PET systems)
5. Hybrid SPECT-X-ray
Current Research:
Home built SPECT-X-ray scanner (Platform to develop innovative image guided (targeted) tumor treatments)
6. MRI guidance in surgery and surveillance: equipment under construction
Current Research:
In collaboration with the Princess Maxima Center the CIS will host an MRI system that will be integrated with a (neuro)surgery suite for better delineation and characterization of (pediatric)brain tumors and epileptic foci. There are plans being made to also invest in a MRI system that will be integrated in the NICU to better study and treat neonatal pathology.
Future Investments:
MRI@OK
MRI@NICU:
7. Preclinical Imaging :Two horizontal bore state of the art animal MRI scanners (7.0 & 9.4T), HD-CCD camera for optical imaging in small animals, small animal TMS system
Current research:
Preclinical neurosciences (stroke, small vessel disease, epilepsy, neural networks in health and disease, neuroplasticity, brain stimulation)
Future investments:
- Optical coherence tomography for microvascular imaging
8. Radio-nuclide laboratory equipment
Current research:
Development of several new targeted radio-nuclides for theranostic purposes
Future investments:
GMP laboratory for theranostics