GE HealthCare and Stanford Medicine Extend Collaboration to Advance Total Body PET/CT Innovation
Continuing a partnership that has lasted over 30 years, GE HealthCare has renewed its research collaboration with Stanford Medicine, with a central focus on the advancement and development of next-generation total body PET/CT imaging technology. The joint effort aims to unlock new clinical applications and improve patient outcomes through cutting-edge imaging solutions.
“PET/CT has revolutionized the way we understand and treat disease by allowing us to visualize biological processes at the cellular level,” said Dr. Quynh-Thu Le, interim Chair of the Department of Radiology at Stanford Medicine. “With total body PET/CT, we can explore new frontiers. Not only do we expect it will be faster, but we also believe it will fundamentally expand what is possible in translational research.”
Molecular imaging, particularly through the use of PET/CT scanners, plays a key role in precision medicine across a variety of conditions. The technology supports theranostics in treating advanced prostate cancer, streamlines radiation oncology workflows, assists in beta amyloid imaging for Alzheimer’s assessment, and aids in myocardial perfusion evaluation for coronary artery disease diagnosis. PET/CT stands apart from other modalities by visualizing and quantifying biological activity at the cellular level—offering non-invasive insights for early diagnosis, treatment planning, and accelerated drug development.
“This technology is designed to offer a level of sensitivity and spatial resolution that can change how we design and conduct molecular imaging studies,” added Dr. Andrei Iagaru, Division Chief of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging at Stanford Medicine. “For example, such technological characteristics can create opportunities to reduce anesthesia use in pediatric imaging by dramatically shortening scan times and enable the exploration of dual-tracer studies and early diagnosis with far greater precision. Total body PET/CT technology is an ideal tool to evaluate biodistribution and dosimetry of new PET radiopharmaceuticals in our first human studies.”
Recognizing the potential of this innovation, GE HealthCare engineers and Stanford Medicine researchers are working together to develop a new PET/CT system that enhances diagnosis, staging, therapy planning, and treatment response evaluation. With its advanced capabilities, they aim to open new care pathways, accelerate the development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents, expand molecular imaging and theranostics applications, and support more efficient healthcare delivery.
“The high throughput we anticipate from this technology could ultimately help improve access for our patients and reduce wait times to their next appointment,” said Dr. Erin Grady, incoming Division Chief of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging at Stanford Medicine.
GE HealthCare's Total Body PET/CT Vision
Partnering with select global institutions, GE HealthCare is advancing total body PET/CT to address previous limitations that restricted PET/CT use mainly to oncology. This initiative is focused on expanding PET imaging by leveraging ultra-sensitive technology to reduce scan duration and tracer dose—critical improvements, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, where reduced scan time may minimize the need for anesthesia.
To support this evolving field and meet growing clinical needs, GE HealthCare’s total body PET/CT system is designed for ultra-low dose imaging, rapid scan acquisition, dynamic multi-organ assessment, and dual-tracer imaging—capabilities that together help boost diagnostic accuracy and clinical confidence. Simultaneously, the system is built to enhance workflow, enable routine use, and improve operational efficiency across healthcare environments.
“At GE HealthCare, innovation is in our DNA. Our total body PET/CT technology represents the next chapter in our enduring commitment to advancing medical imaging,” said Jean-Luc Procaccini, President & CEO of Molecular Imaging and Computed Tomography at GE HealthCare. “We’re proud to collaborate with world-class institutions to explore new clinical frontiers in oncology and beyond. Together with our MIM software solutions, we’re designing flexible, AI-enhanced tools that not only aim to enhance diagnostic confidence and operational efficiency but also help clinicians deliver more precise, personalized care that can truly improve patient outcomes.”
GE HealthCare has a strong legacy in medical imaging innovation, from launching the first commercial PET/CT system, Discovery LS, to pioneering the first silicon-based photon-counting CT prototype. The company remains dedicated to advancing imaging technologies that benefit both clinicians and patients.
Through continued development and integration of next-gen tools, GE HealthCare is helping drive a transformation toward a more connected, precise, and patient-centered healthcare system.