A method and apparatus for the integration of an ultrasound transducer
with a SPECT imaging system is disclosed. The ultrasound transducer
allows the delivery of particle-born drug therapies or thermally active
therapies at the same site detected with SPECT imaging. The system
includes a SPECT imaging subsystem; an ultrasound transducer for
producing a signal representative of applied ultrasound and signally
coupled to the SPECT imaging subsystem; and co-registering means for
co-registering the signal representative of applied ultrasound in a
coordinate system of SPECT imaging subsystem. The SPECT subsystem may be
replaced with a SPECT/CT combined system to provide morphology that
allows for treatment planning. In another embodiment, the ultrasound
transducer can be used intermittently with the sequential gathering of
SPECT images for tracking time-varying properties of the binding of
specific SPECT contrast agents to biomarkers of disease. In this way, the
ultrasound and SPECT imaging devices form a novel combination to improve
patient care through improved spatial registration, therapy planning, and
workflow.