An evaluation of count rate losses due to dead time in static and mobile gamma camera data analysis systems

The count rate responses of a gamma camera and data analysis system have been shown to behave as two separate components. Five systems made up of combinations of two static gamma cameras, two data analysis systems, and a mobile gamma camera system were investigated. Camera and data analysis system dead times are quoted and percentage corrections are plotted against radioactivity of 99 Tcm in a patient phantom within the field of view. It is recommended that such a detailed study should be performed for any gamma camera system as part of a quality assurance programme.