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A finely segmented semi-monolithic detector tailored for high-resolution PET
Yannick Kuhl1, Florian Mueller1, Stephan Naunheim1
1Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Medical Physics
|January 12, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a novel semi-monolithic positron emission tomography (PET) detector for high-resolution imaging. Machine learning calibration achieved sub-millimeter spatial resolution, enabling detailed visualization of small structures in PET applications.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine
- Detector Physics
Background:
- High spatial resolution is crucial for preclinical and organ-dedicated Positron Emission Tomography (PET) applications.
- Current high-resolution PET detectors, whether pixelated or monolithic, have inherent limitations.
- Improving detector and image spatial resolution is an ongoing research objective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a semi-monolithic detector designed for high-resolution PET applications, aiming for spatial resolution of 1 mm or better.
- To merge the benefits of monolithic and pixelated crystal designs.
- To utilize LYSO slabs coupled to a photosensor array for enhanced optical photon density.
Main Methods:
- A fan beam collimator was used for rapid calibration.
- Machine-learning-based positioning models (Gradient Tree Boosting) were trained for 3D positioning, including slab identification and Depth-of-Interaction (DOI).
- Position-dependent energy calibration and analytical timing calibration were employed for accurate measurements.
Main Results:
- Achieved a detector spatial resolution down to 1.18 mm FWHM and 0.75 mm MAE in the planar-monolithic direction.
- Obtained 2.14 mm FWHM and 1.03 mm MAE for DOI.
- Demonstrated over 80% slab interaction identification, 12.7% energy resolution, and 450 ps FWHM coincidence timing resolution (CTR).
Conclusions:
- The developed finely segmented, high-resolution slab detector shows promising performance for high-resolution PET.
- The benchtop calibration routine enables the use of these detectors in PET systems.
- This detector design advances the capability for detailed biological process visualization.
