The Economist has an interesting article about efforts to miniaturize medical imaging systems. Scientists have managed to make a PET scan for rats. The animals can actually wear the devices, and the images are broadcast over periods of time.
First a few comments about medical imaging and medical computer vision. Medical vision is a vibrant field. I'd like to count it within computer vision, but I'm sure people from medical vision might contest that: there are separate conferences and workshops that are quite famous. We in traditional computer vision may be ignorant of the latest in medical imaging, but we know and respect the use of heavy mathematical machinery (applied physics, machine learning and topology) as well as the maturity of technology (Siemens, GE and others build impressive, working medical imaging systems).
Although I'm not up to speed with the latest in the field, I still feel that everyone should be amazed that PET scanners could be built so small. The only similar thing I know of (from my time at CMU) is George Stetten's hand-held ultrasound , which was a major breakthrough.
The mind boggles with the possibilities for medicine in remote locations and the analysis of miniature biological entities like insects (modulo radiation concerns).
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