0000000000114060
AUTHOR
P. Solevi
A Demonstrator for a new Axial PET Concept
In PET imaging, improving sensitivity while maintaining very good spatial resolution is crucial. To achieve this goal, we propose a novel concept of PET scanner, with axially arranged crystals, providing a high sensitivity and a 3D reconstruction of the gamma interaction point. The trans-axial coordinate is given by the crystal hit, while the z coordinate is reconstructed by the weighted distribution of light escaping the crystal and entering into an array of Wave Length Shifting (WLS) strips interleaving the crystal layers. This novel configuration allows full identification of Compton interactions in the crystals that can be included in image reconstruction thus enhancing the sensitivity.…
The AX-PET demonstrator—Design, construction and characterization
Abstract Axial PET is a novel geometrical concept for Positron Emission Tomography (PET), based on layers of long scintillating crystals axially aligned with the bore axis. The axial coordinate is obtained from arrays of wavelength shifting (WLS) plastic strips placed orthogonally to the crystals. This article describes the design, construction and performance evaluation of a demonstrator set-up which consists of two identical detector modules, used in coincidence. Each module comprises 48 LYSO crystals of 100 mm length and 156 WLS strips. Crystals and strips are readout by Geiger-mode Avalanche Photo Diodes (G-APDs). The signals from the two modules are processed by fully analog front-end …
Performance of the AX-PET Demonstrator
The goal of the AX-PET project is to build and test a demonstrator for a high resolution, high sensitivity PET scanner, based on a novel geometrical concept of long axially oriented crystals. The demonstrator comprises two PET modules used in coincidence. The two modules have been constructed and characterized (both individually and in coincidence) in dedicated test setups, with point-like sources. Good performance in terms of energy, spatial and timing resolution have been demonstrated. First measurements with extended phantoms filled with FDG-radiotracers have been recently performed.
Development of a High Precision Axial 3-D PET for Brain Imaging
We describe a PET device based on a novel method to extract the coordinates of the interaction point of the 511keV γ rays from 100 mm long and thin LYSO (Lutetium Yttrium OxyorthoSilicate) scintillator bars, positioned axially in the tomograph. The coordinate along the hit crystal is measured by using a hodoscope of Wave Length Shifting (WLS) plastic strips mounted perpendicularly to each plane of scintillators. As photodetectors, new Geiger mode Avalanche PhotoDetectors (G-APDs) with integrated electronics are being used to detect both the hit crystal in a block (x and y coordinates) and the interaction point in the crystal (z coordinate) through the light escaping from the crystal and tra…
AX-PET: Concept, proof of principle and first results with phantoms
AX-PET is a novel PET concept based on long crystals axially arranged and orthogonal Wavelength shifter (WLS) strips, both individually readout by Geiger-mode Avalanche Photo Diodes (G-APD). Its design was conceived in order to reduce the parallax error and simultaneously improve spatial resolution and sensitivity. The assessment of the AX-PET concept and potential was carried out through a set of measurements comprising individual module characterizations and scans in coincidence mode of point-like and extended sources. The estimated energy and spatial resolutions from point-like measurements are R FWHM =11.6% (at 511 keV) and 1.7–1.9 mm (FWHM) respectively as measured with point-like sour…
Sensitivity recovery for the AX-PET prototype using inter-crystal scattering events
The development of novel detection devices and systems such as the AX-positron emission tomography (PET) demonstrator often introduce or increase the measurement of atypical coincidence events such as inter-crystal scattering (ICS). In more standard systems, ICS events often go undetected and the small measured fraction may be ignored. As the measured quantity of such events in the data increases, so too does the importance of considering them during image reconstruction. Generally, treatment of ICS events will attempt to determine which of the possible candidate lines of response (LoRs) correctly determine the annihilation photon trajectory. However, methods of assessment often have low su…
Monte Carlo study of microdosimetric diamond detectors
Ion-beam therapy provides a high dose conformity and increased radiobiological effectiveness with respect to conventional radiation-therapy. Strict constraints on the maximum uncertainty on the biological weighted dose and consequently on the biological weighting factor require the determination of the radiation quality, defined as the types and energy spectra of the radiation at a specific point. However the experimental determination of radiation quality, in particular for an internal target, is not simple and the features of ion interactions and treatment delivery require dedicated and optimized detectors. Recently chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond detectors have been suggested as …
The AX-PET Concept: New Developments And Tomographic Imaging
The Axial PET (AX-PET) concept proposes a novel detection geometry for PET, based on layers of long scintillating crystals axially aligned with the bore axis. Arrays of wavelength shifting (WLS) strips are placed orthogonally and underneath the crystal layers; both crystals and strips are individually readout by G-APDs. The axial coordinate is obtained from the WLS signals by means of a Center-of-Gravity method combined with a cluster algorithm. This design allows spatial resolution and sensitivity to be decoupled and thus simultaneously optimized. In this work we present the latest results obtained with the 2-module AX-PET scanner prototype, which consists of 6 radial layers of 8 LYSO crys…
Inclusion of Inter Crystal Scatter data in PET
In PET, as the spatial resolution of the measurement system is increased, multiple interactions of a single photon may be separately measured and such events are often removed from the data used in image reconstruction. While for some PET imaging tasks this effect is unimportant, for primate, brain and high-spatial-resolution imaging where sensitivity is important, such Inter Crystal Scattering (ICS) events may constitute a large fraction of the measured data. On-the-fly list-mode image reconstruction is generally required in order to use all the information provided by ICS. Simulated One-Pass List-mode image reconstruction is used in this investigation to study the inclusion of ICS informa…
High resolution detectors based on continuous crystals and SiPMs for small animal PET
International audience; Sensitivity and spatial resolution are the two main factors to maximize in emission imaging. The improvement of one factor deteriorates the other with pixelated crystals. In this work we combine SiPM matrices with monolithic crystals, using an accurate γ-ray interaction position determination algorithm that provides depth of interaction. Continuous crystals provide higher sensitivity than pixelated crystals, while an accurate interaction position determination does not degrade the spatial resolution. Monte Carlo simulations and experimental data show good agreement both demonstrating sub-millimetre intrinsic spatial resolution. A system consisting in two rotating det…
Simulated one-pass list-mode: an approach to on-the-fly system matrix calculation.
In the development of prototype systems for positron emission tomography a valid and robust image reconstruction algorithm is required. However, prototypes often employ novel detector and system geometries which may change rapidly under optimization. In addition, developing systems generally produce highly granular, or possibly continuous detection domains which require some level of on-the-fly calculation for retention of measurement precision. In this investigation a new method of on-the-fly system matrix calculation is proposed that provides advantages in application to such list-mode systems in terms of flexibility in system modeling. The new method is easily adaptable to complicated sy…
A Monte-Carlo based model of the AX-PET demonstrator and its experimental validation
AX-PET is a novel PET detector based on axially oriented crystals and orthogonal wavelength shifter (WLS) strips, both individually read out by silicon photo-multipliers. Its design decouples sensitivity and spatial resolution, by reducing the parallax error due to the layered arrangement of the crystals. Additionally the granularity of AX-PET enhances the capability to track photons within the detector yielding a large fraction of inter-crystal scatter events. These events, if properly processed, can be included in the reconstruction stage further increasing the sensitivity. Its unique features require dedicated Monte-Carlo simulations, enabling the development of the device, interpreting …
AX-PET: A novel PET detector concept with full 3D reconstruction
We describe the concept and first experimental tests of a novel 3D axial Positron Emission Tomography (PET) geometry. It allows for a new way of measuring the interaction point in the detector with very high precision. It is based on a matrix of long Lutetium-Yttrium OxyorthoSilicate (LYSO) crystals oriented in the axial direction, each coupled to one Geiger Mode Avalanche Photodiode (G-APD) array. To derive the axial coordinate, Wave Length Shifter (WLS) strips are mounted orthogonally and interleaved between the crystals. The light from the WLS strips is read by custom-made G-APDs. The weighted mean of the signals in the WLS strips has proven to give very precise axial resolution. The ach…
Long axial crystals for PET applications: The AX-PET demonstrator and beyond
The usage of long, axially oriented scintillator crystals in a PET scanner has been shown by the AX-PET Demonstrator as a possible solution for a high resolution and high sensitivity PET detector. In the AX-PET implementation, arrays of wavelength shifting (WLS) strips, placed orthogonally behind every crystal layer, are used to define the axial coordinate. After extensive characterization measurements, the AX-PET Demonstrator has been successfully used for the reconstruction of several phantoms and a few rodents. Possible extensions of the AX-PET concept towards Time Of Flight capabilities have been investigated, using Philips digital SiPMs as alternative photodetector. Promising CRT value…
AX-PET: A novel PET concept with G-APD readout
Abstract The AX-PET collaboration has developed a novel concept for high resolution PET imaging to overcome some of the performance limitations of classical PET cameras, in particular the compromise between spatial resolution and sensitivity introduced by the parallax error. The detector consists of an arrangement of long LYSO scintillating crystals axially oriented around the field of view together with arrays of wave length shifter strips orthogonal to the crystals. This matrix allows a precise 3D measurement of the photon interaction point. This is valid both for photoelectric absorption at 511 keV and for Compton scattering down to deposited energies of about 100 keV. Crystals and WLS s…