declipseSPECT is a SPECT imaging device based on a handheld gamma probe reported as freehandSPECT imaging in the literature [Wendler2010]. In contrast to traditional SPECT imaging solution, declipseSPECT does not rely on a gantry mounted gamma camera rotating around the patient, but a handheld gamma probe extended by a 3-D tracking system. A scan of 1-2min around the patient from anterior-posterior and lateral directions enables a 3-D reconstruction of the radioactive distribution in the target region with a spare set of projection data.

declipseSPECT currently supports all low energy radionuclides. Tc99m, which is currently the most commonly used radionuclide for SLN imaging, is generating full 3-D images with a resolution of 5mm in all three dimensions as deep as 7cm from the surface.

An optical infra-red camera ensures sub millimeter precise localization of patient and gamma probe in space. Synchronized readings of gamma detector and navigation system enable a reconstruction in the same coordinate system as well as registration-free navigation, i.e. showing correlation of the imaging date with respect to any surgical instrument, the basis for image guidance.

An integrated video camera provides a direct correlation of the 3-D images projected onto the image plane. This provides gamma camera images from different viewpoints with direct anatomical correlation through overlay onto the optical image. This innovative technology of augmented reality enables direct referencing and visualization of the activity onto the real-time video of the patient. The advantage over standard monitor based image viewing is the direct overlay and anatomical correlation for intuitive orientation, localization and resection of radioactive marked structures. Thus any standard surgical instrument is guided to the region of interest without any modification.