Checkerboard PET Detector Array with Transmission Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nuclear medicine systems require a large number of expensive radiation detectors to achieve adequate axial field of view, leading to high costs and inefficiencies, with previous attempts to reduce detector numbers either compromising efficiency or requiring costly reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a checkerboard configuration of scintillation detectors with empty spaces filled by passive shielding or transmission sources, allowing for simultaneous emission and transmission acquisitions while maintaining axial coverage and reducing sensitivity by about 50%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large number of radiation detectors are used to achieve adequate axial field of view, then the axial field of view coverage is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The detector array is segmented into emission detectors and transmission sources arranged in a checkerboard pattern, where only half of the positions are occupied by emission detectors. This segmentation reduces the total number of detectors while maintaining adequate axial field of view coverage through the complementary transmission data.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner system is designed to perform both emission and transmission acquisitions using the same detector array. The transmission sources embedded in the checkerboard pattern enable attenuation correction without requiring separate CT equipment, making the system multi-functional and reducing overall complexity.
2Device complexity
If the number of detectors is reduced to lower cost, then the device complexity and cost are improved, but the sensitivity and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges emission detection and transmission measurement functions into a single integrated scanner system. By combining these functions, the system achieves adequate sensitivity through the complementary nature of emission-coincidence and transmission-data, offsetting the reduction in detector数量.
Solution Approach 2:
Transmission sources are introduced as intermediary elements in the checkerboard pattern to provide attenuation correction data. These intermediaries compensate for the reduced sensitivity from having fewer emission detectors by enabling accurate quantitative imaging through transmission-based correction.
3Measurement precision
If transmission capability is added to provide attenuation correction, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional CT or MR equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The same detector array serves dual purposes: detecting emission photons from the patient and measuring transmission photons through the patient. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate CT or MR attenuation correction equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission measurement capability is merged into the emission scanner by embedding transmission sources within the detector array. This integration allows simultaneous or alternating emission and transmission acquisitions using the same hardware, avoiding additional equipment.
4Ease of manufacture
If scintillator length is shortened to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost is improved, but the crystal efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for reduced crystal efficiency from shorter scintillators by changing the operational parameters: using transmission-based attenuation correction and optimization of emission-coincidence detection to maintain adequate sensitivity and image quality despite the shorter, less efficient crystals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the number of detectors needed, lowering costs and maintaining axial field of view, while enabling artifact-free images and simultaneous emission and transmission acquisitions without the need for additional CT equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of scintillation detector elements arranged in a two-dimensional checkerboard configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, computer-readable mediums, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a positron emission tomography ("PET") detector array is provided which includes a plurality of crystal elements arranged in a two-dimensional checkerboard configuration. In addition, there are empty spaces in the checkerboard configuration. In various embodiments, the empty spaces are filled with passive shielding, transmission source assemblies, biopsy instruments, surgical instruments, and/or electromagnetic sensors. In various embodiments, the crystal elements and the transmission source assemblies simultaneously perform emission/transmission acquisitions.