The Aberdeen Mark II single-photon-emission tomographic scanner: specification and some clinical applications

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Instrumentation

Background:

• Single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) is crucial for functional imaging.
• Advancements in detector technology are key to improving SPECT system performance.
• Developing novel SPECT scanners enhances diagnostic capabilities for various organs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the construction, operation, and physical characteristics of a novel single-section multi-detector SPECT scanner.
• To evaluate the performance metrics, including spatial resolution and sensitivity.
• To assess the clinical utility of the scanner for organ imaging.

Main Methods:

• Detailed description of the scanner's construction with 24 detectors in a square array.
• Implementation of distributed microprocessors for movement and data acquisition control.
• Performance evaluation using a 99Tcm filled cylindrical phantom and assessment of transverse spatial resolution and slice thickness.

Main Results:

• The scanner achieved a spatial resolution of 9 mm in the transverse plane.
• Effective slice thickness was determined to be 14 mm.
• Volume sensitivity measured at 300 counts/s/kBq/ml with a 20 cm phantom.

Conclusions:

• The described multi-detector SPECT scanner is a functional and clinically useful tool.
• The system demonstrates valuable performance characteristics for imaging the brain, liver, and heart.
• This technology represents a significant advancement in nuclear medicine instrumentation.