Simulation study on the performance of time-over-threshold based positioning in monolithic PET detectors.

The vast majority of PET detectors in the field today are based on pixelated scintillators. Yet, the resolution of this type of detector is limited by the pixel size. To overcome this limitation, one can use monolithic detectors.

A high resolution SPECT detector based on thin continuous LYSO.

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) detectors with improved spatial resolution can be used to build multi-pinhole SPECT systems that have a higher sensitivity or a higher spatial resolution. In order to improve the spatial resolution we investigate the performance of a 2 mm thick continuous Lutetium Yttrium Orthosilicate (LYSO) scintillator and compare it to the performance of a 5 mm thick continuous NaI(Tl) scintillator. The advantages of LYSO are its high stopping power and its non-hygroscopicity.

Design and performance of a compact and stationary microSPECT system.

Purpose: Over the last ten years, there has been an extensive growth in the development of microSPECT imagers. Most of the systems are based on the combination of conventional, relatively large gamma cameras with poor intrinsic spatial resolution and multipinhole collimators working in large magnification mode. Spatial resolutions range from 0.

Design and simulation of a full-ring multi-lofthole collimator for brain SPECT.

Currently, clinical brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is mostly performed using rotating dual-head gamma cameras equipped with low-energy-high-resolution parallel-beam collimators (LEHR PAR). The resolution of these systems is rather poor (8-10 mm) and the rotation of the heavy gamma cameras can introduce misalignment errors. Therefore, we designed a static full-ring multi-lofthole brain SPECT insert for an existing ring of LaBr3 (5% Ce) detectors.

Fast calibration of SPECT monolithic scintillation detectors using un-collimated sources.

Monolithic scintillation detectors for positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging have many advantages over pixelated detectors. The use of monolithic crystals allows for reducing the scintillator cost per unit volume and increasing the sensitivity along with the energy and timing resolution of the detector. In addition, on thick detectors the depth-of-interaction can be determined without additional hardware.

Characterization of a SPECT pinhole collimator for optimal detector usage (the lofthole).

In single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), multi-pinhole collimation is often employed nowadays. Most multi-pinhole collimators avoid overlap (multiplexing) of the projections on the detector. This can be done by using additional shielding or by spacing the pinholes far enough apart.

Rapid additive manufacturing of MR compatible multipinhole collimators with selective laser melting of tungsten powder.

Purpose: The construction of complex collimators with a high number of oblique pinholes is very labor intensive, expensive or is sometimes impossible with the current available techniques (drilling, milling or electric discharge machining). All these techniques are subtractive: one starts from solid plates and the material at the position of the pinholes is removed. The authors used a novel technique for collimator construction, called metal additive manufacturing.