Partial PET Scan Reconstruction for Low-Dose Region-of-Interest Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PET-CT imaging systems face challenges in imaging larger volumes with long axial field of view (aFoV) due to high radiation doses and significant data storage and processing requirements, necessitating improved methods for efficient and low-dose scanning of regions of interest.
Innovation Solution
The system acquires and processes only PET data from detector photosensors associated with the region of interest, generates PET coincidence data based on this data, and reconstructs a PET image using a trained model to reduce unnecessary data storage and processing, while limiting CT scans to the region of interest to minimize radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If long aFoV PET-CT imaging systems are used to image larger volumes, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the radiation dose to the patient increases and data storage and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the PET scanner's detector ring into multiple segments or blocks, each associated with specific axial positions. The system then processes PET data from only the relevant segments corresponding to the region of interest, rather than processing data from the entire detector ring. This segmentation approach enables long aFoV imaging coverage while reducing radiation dose by limiting CT scanning to only the necessary axial regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different parts of the data. Specifically, it processes PET coincidence data and CT data selectively based on their spatial association with the region of interest. Data from detector segments not associated with the region of interest is discarded or not processed, optimizing resource utilization while maintaining imaging coverage for the target area.
2Volume of moving object
If long aFoV PET-CT imaging systems are used to image larger volumes, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the data storage and processing resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detector ring into multiple blocks, each with associated axial positions and detector crystals. This segmentation enables the system to process only the PET coincidence data and CT data corresponding to the region of interest, significantly reducing the volume of data requiring storage and processing while maintaining comprehensive imaging coverage for the target area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and processes only the necessary PET and CT data associated with the region of interest, discarding or excluding data from detector segments not relevant to the imaging target. This extraction approach reduces data storage requirements and processing resource consumption while preserving imaging quality for the region of interest.
3Volume of moving object
If conventional PET-CT imaging systems scan the entire axial field of view, then complete anatomical coverage is achieved, but unnecessary data processing and radiation exposure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality processing by analyzing the spatial association between detector crystals, detector blocks, and axial positions to determine which data are relevant to the region of interest. The system then processes PET coincidence data and CT data selectively, applying full processing quality only to data associated with the region of interest while reducing or eliminating processing for unrelated data, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by processing only the necessary portion of the data corresponding to the region of interest rather than processing the entire axial field of view. This partial processing approach reduces data processing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient anatomical coverage for the imaging target.
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 radiation dose to the patient and minimizes data processing resources by focusing on the region of interest, enabling efficient and low-dose PET imaging with improved spatial alignment and reduced data volume.
Implementation Method 1
Radioactive decay of the tracer generates positrons which eventually encounter electrons and are annihilation. The annihilation produces two 511 keV photons
Implementation Method 2
A ring of detectors surrounding the body detects photons, identifies 'coincidences' based thereon
Implementation Method 3
PET-computed tomography (CT) imaging systems allow performance of contemporaneous PET and CT scans
Data Source
AI summary
A system to scan a region of a patient comprises determination of the region, acquisition of PET singles data from a plurality of photosensors, determination of PET singles data which is associated with the region, generation of PET coincidence data based on the PET singles data which is associated with the region, and generation of a PET image based on the PET coincidence data.