Progress in BazookaSPECT: High-Resolution, Dynamic Scintigraphy with Large-Area Imagers

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Instrumentation
• Photon Detection

Background:

• Traditional gamma-ray detectors face limitations in resolution and flexibility.
• Photon-counting detectors offer improved sensitivity and spectral information.
• Existing systems often lack modularity for custom detector design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present advancements in BazookaSPECT, a novel high-resolution, photon-counting gamma-ray detector.
• To highlight the modular design enabling custom detector configurations.
• To showcase the potential for large-area detectors in dynamic scintigraphy.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing columnar scintillators coupled with image intensifiers and CCD/CMOS sensors.
• Employing fiber-optic tapers to increase detector area by 16x.
• Implementing Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and high-speed cameras for enhanced event detection rates.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a 16x increase in detector area using fiber-optic tapers.
• Achieved high-resolution gamma-ray imaging capabilities.
• Presented preliminary results of large-area detectors for dynamic scintigraphy in rodents.

Conclusions:

• BazookaSPECT offers a versatile platform for high-resolution gamma-ray imaging.
• The modular design allows for tailored detector specifications.
• Future developments promise improved event detection rates for advanced applications.