PET Coincidence Pairing via Timestamped Event Lists

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional PET systems are complex, rigid, and lack flexibility in data processing and filtering, leading to inefficiencies in handling high count rates and variable coincidence windows, which limits their sensitivity and spatial resolution.

Innovation Solution

A PET system that tags detection events with time stamps and sends them to an off-line processing system, allowing for flexible connection of data sources, allocation of processing resources, and varying filtering, using a global event collector to generate event lists with fine time stamps and transmit them to a computer for processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional PET systems use fixed hardware-based coincidence circuitry, then the system structure is simple, but the flexibility and adaptability in data processing are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in data processingVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fixed hardware-based coincidence circuitry with software-based processing on general-purpose computers. Detection events are timestamped and stored in event lists, allowing flexible post-processing without dedicated hardware circuits. This substitution enables adaptive coincidence windowing and filtering through software algorithms rather than fixed mechanical/electrical circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic coincidence windowing where the coincidence time window can be varied programmatically based on specific imaging requirements. The software-based architecture allows the coincidence pairing criteria to be adjusted in real-time without physical reconfiguration, providing dynamic adaptability to different clinical scenarios and isotopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If conventional PET systems accumulate several hundred million counts for a typical study, then the image quality is sufficient, but the scanning time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning speedVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the processing parameters by implementing efficient timestamp-based coincidence pairing algorithms and optimized event list processing. By varying the coincidence window parameters and using sorted event lists for rapid pairing, the system accelerates count accumulation while maintaining image quality through improved processing efficiency rather than simply increasing hardware throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional PET systems use fixed coincidence windows, then the hardware implementation is simple, but the ability to handle variable imaging requirements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable coincidence windowsVSAvoidprocessing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal processing platform where a single software-based coincidence pairing system can handle multiple coincidence window configurations. The same event list infrastructure supports fixed, variable, and dynamic coincidence windows, as well as different filtering criteria, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate hardware circuits for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances the flexibility and efficiency of PET data processing, enabling better handling of high count rates and variable coincidence windows, improving the system's sensitivity and spatial resolution, and allowing for dynamic resource allocation during scans.

Implementation Method 1

an annihilation event occurs, wherein the positron and electron are destroyed. Most of the time, an annihilation event produces two gamma rays at 511 keV traveling at substantially 180 degrees apart

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnnihilation:

Implementation Method 2

PET imaging systems use detectors positioned across from one another to detect the gamma rays emitting from the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGamma ray detection:

Data Source

PatentUS8084741B2Configurable coincidence pairing and filtering system and method for positron emission tomography

Publication Date: 2011.12.27 TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

A method of processing positron emission tomography (PET) information obtained from a PET detector having a plurality of detector regions, each detector region having at least one detector module and a corresponding regional collector, the method including the steps of receiving PET event information for a single PET event, the PET event information including energy information and crystal position information of the single PET event; receiving non-detector event information; generating an event list that includes (1) a PET event entry, the PET event entry including a fine time stamp, the energy information, and the crystal position information, and (2) a non-detector event entry that includes the received non-detector event information; and transmitting the generated event list to a computer for off-line processing.