🧭 Timeline:
Dr. Richard M. Fleming and Nuclear Imaging

1970s — Foundational Physics & Nuclear Research

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• Completes advanced doctoral physics training, including classified research involving positron–plasma annihilation (a conceptual precursor to PET physics).

• Establishes the physics and mathematical base that later informs his nuclear‑imaging methodologies.

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1980s — Transition into Medicine & Cardiology

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• Completes medical training and begins integrating nuclear physics with cardiovascular medicine.

• Early work focuses on regional blood‑flow measurement, a core principle of nuclear cardiology.

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1990s — Nuclear Cardiology & Flow Quantification

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• Develops the Quadratic Blood Flow Equation, a mathematical model for quantifying coronary blood‑flow reserve and early precursor of A.I.^2.

• Begins applying nuclear‑imaging principles to cardiology, particularly SPECT and early PET modalities.

• Establishes himself as a nuclear cardiologist, combining physics, imaging, and clinical cardiology.

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1990s–2000s — PET Imaging & Metabolic Measurement

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• Earns special certifications in Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

• Expands research into metabolic imaging, focusing on inflammation, ischemia, and perfusion (InflammoThrombotic Immunologic Response; ITIR).

• Begins refining what will later become the FMTVDM patented methodology.

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2000s — Continued Development of Quantitative Nuclear Imaging

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• Publishes work on quantitative nuclear imaging, arguing for measurement‑based imaging rather than qualitative or SUV interpretations.

• Continues refining isotope‑based measurement of blood flow and metabolic activity.

• Lays groundwork for a standardized, reproducible imaging method.

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2010s — FMTVDM Patent & Imaging System

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• Secures the patent for FMTVDM (Fleming Method for Tissue and Vascular Differentiation and Metabolism).

  • Patent covers methods and devices for measuring metabolic and regional blood‑flow differences using isotopes and imaging systems.

• Promotes the method as a quantitative nuclear‑imaging standard.

• Continues to expand applications to cardiology, oncology, inflammatory and infectious diseases.

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2020s — Continued Nuclear‑Imaging Advocacy

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• Presents at conferences on nuclear cardiology, nuclear medicine, and quantitative imaging.

• Emphasizes the shift from qualitative to quantitative nuclear imaging.

• Continues publishing and lecturing on PET, SPECT, and metabolic imaging.

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