Molecubes Gamma-cube SPECT imaging module

Biomedicum Imaging Unit In Vivo Imaging (BIU-IVI) is an open-access core service research infrastructure at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, part of the Helsinki In Vivo Animal Imaging Platform (HAIP) of Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLife). BIU-IVI provides unique multimodal live animal imaging equipment and services for pre-clinical biomedical research. BIU-IVI acquired a modular imaging system for rodent positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) of rodents in 2022 from Molecubes, currently part of Bruker. With this system, the PET signal from radiolabeled tracers can be automatically co-registered with a CT image as an anatomical reference, with easy transfer of experimental animals between the two imaging modules. The current location of the PET/CT system is in Biomedicum Helsinki Laboratory Animal Centre, within a room retrofitted for this purpose, which enables combining nuclear imaging with e.g. the optical imaging modalities we offer in Biomedicum; however, the PET & CT modules can also be transported to other suitable locations e.g. in Kumpula or Viikki campuses when required. One of the most important criteria for the selection of the Molecubes imaging system at the time of procurement was the possibility of adding a third imaging module for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The requirements for a SPECT system can only be met by upgrading the existing Molecubes PET/CT system.

This purchase is in accordance with Section 40, Paragraph 2, Point 2 of the Act on Public Procurement and Concession Contracts: only a certain supplier can implement the procurement for a technical reason, or for a reason related to protecting and exclusive right. There are also no reasonable alternatives or substitute solutions. Detailed explanation of why Section 40, Paragraph 2, Point 2 applies to this purchase: Biomedicum Imaging Unit In Vivo Imaging (BIU-IVI) is an open-access core service research infrastructure at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, part of the Helsinki In Vivo Animal Imaging Platform (HAIP) of Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLife). BIU-IVI provides unique multimodal live animal imaging equipment and services for pre-clinical biomedical research. BIU-IVI acquired a modular imaging system for rodent positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) of rodents in 2022 from Molecubes, currently part of Bruker. With this system, the PET signal from radiolabeled tracers can be automatically co-registered with a CT image as an anatomical reference, with easy transfer of experimental animals between the two imaging modules. The current location of the PET/CT system is in Biomedicum Helsinki Laboratory Animal Centre, within a room retrofitted for this purpose, which enables combining nuclear imaging with e.g. the optical imaging modalities we offer in Biomedicum; however, the PET & CT modules can also be transported to other suitable locations e.g. in Kumpula or Viikki campuses when required. One of the most important criteria for the selection of the Molecubes imaging system at the time of procurement was the possibility of adding a third imaging module for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The requirements for a SPECT system can only be met by upgrading the existing Molecubes PET/CT system for the following reasons: 1. All of the nuclear imaging modules (PET, SPECT and CT used for anatomical reference) need to be compatible with automatic co-registration of images, which requires quick and easy transfer of animals under inhalation anesthesia without moving them from the holding cradles. 2. All modalities need to be in one room within an animal facility, which meets legal requirements for radiation safety. Space in these rooms is limited, which necessitates a benchtop SPECT system with a small footprint (no more than 80 cm width & depth). 3. All of the nuclear imaging modules and CT need to be transportable between campuses (Meilahti/Kumpula/Viikki) in a standard vehicle (van or passenger car), and be disinfectable, to enable imaging when transfer of animals is not possible due to e.g. microbiological status or welfare considerations. Molecubes modular PET/CT/SPECT system is the only benchtop system on the market and therefore easily transportable. There is no SPECT system on the market that could be integrated into the existing PET/CT imaging system to fulfill requirement 1, and the modular Molecubes system is also the only high-resolution, high-sensitivity rodent research imaging system on the market with compact, sufficiently lightweight components to enable easy transport and minimal space requirements to meet requirements 2 and 3. The SPECT upgrade to the existing Molecubes PET/CT imaging system further includes a retrofit package with improved animal cradle fittings and updated and expanded software, allowing full integration with the new SPECT module and improving the usability of the whole system. The acquisition of a separate, parallel SPECT/CT system would not be operationally or financially possible, due to previously mentioned reasons and because the purpose of this acquisition is to add to the capabilities of an existing imaging system to build a fully integrated multimodal nuclear imaging system.Bruker Nordic Ab is the only supplier on the market selling the SPECT module for the existing Molecubes PET/CT system. The technical requirements described above do not stem from a desire to limit competition, but are a direct consequence of the previously procured Molecubes PET/CT system and the operational, spatial, radiation safety and animal welfare constraints of the existing laboratory animal facilities. Procuring a SPECT module from another supplier would require acquiring a separate, non-integrated imaging system, which would not meet the functional objective of this procurement and would result in disproportionate technical, operational and financial inefficiencies. A market assessment has been conducted, and no alternative SPECT systems were identified that could be technically integrated into the existing PET/CT system while fulfilling the above requirements.