Real-Time PET Imaging via Dynamic List Mode Data Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nuclear medicine imaging systems, particularly PET devices, face significant delays in processing radiation measurements to imaging, making real-time adjustments and therapy plan modifications during radiation therapy impossible due to slow image reconstruction times.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a PET device, data acquisition unit, and image reconstruction unit that dynamically adjusts data processing based on counting rates, allowing for real-time online processing of list mode data during low rates and offline processing of excess data, enabling rapid image reconstruction and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional PET imaging processing is used, then complete radiation measurement data is processed, but image reconstruction takes several minutes causing delays relative to therapy progress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of radiation measurement data processingVSAvoidimage reconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complete list mode data into multiple groups, with only a predetermined number of groups being processed for online real-time imaging. This segmentation allows the system to process a subset of data quickly for immediate therapeutic guidance while preserving the option to process remaining data offline for comprehensive analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by processing only a predetermined number of list mode data groups online rather than all available data. This partial processing delivers images in real-time for therapy control, while excessive data can be processed offline when time constraints are relaxed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If all list mode data is processed for online imaging, then complete image information is obtained, but processing speed cannot achieve real-time levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of image informationVSAvoidimage processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides list mode data into multiple groups and processes only a predetermined number of groups online, separating the data processing task into manageable segments that can be handled in real-time while maintaining the option for comprehensive offline processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial processing by selecting and processing only a predetermined number of data groups for online imaging, achieving real-time processing speeds. The remaining data groups can be processed offline to obtain complete image information when time is not constrained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Speed

If processing time is reduced to real-time levels, then therapy plan adjustments become possible, but complete radiation data processing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidcompleteness of radiation data

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments radiation measurement data into multiple list mode groups, processing a predetermined number online for real-time therapy guidance while preserving remaining groups for offline processing, thus maintaining complete information availability across different time scales.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial processing of radiation data online to achieve real-time imaging for therapy control, accepting that not all data is processed immediately. The unprocessed data remains available for offline analysis, ensuring no information loss overall while achieving real-time processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 significantly accelerates the imaging process to near real-time levels, allowing for immediate therapy plan adjustments and optimized radiation cancer therapy by directly observing cancer, dose distribution, and therapeutic effects.

Implementation Method 1

Positrons emitted in the positron decay of a positron emission nuclide may disappear by annihilation in pairs with surrounding electrons so as to yield a pair of annihilation radiations at 511 keV, which are measured with a pair of radiation detectors on the basis of the principle of coincidence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnnihilation radiation: Radioactive Decay

Implementation Method 2

Nuclear medicine imaging apparatus including the PET measure radiation in a pulse mode in which the radiation is measured (or counted) on every pulse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulse mode radiation measurement: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9029790B2Method and system for imaging using nuclear medicine imaging apparatus, nuclear medicine imaging system, and radiation therapy control system

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 NAT INST FOR QUANTUM & RADIOLOGICAL SCI & TECH

AI summary

In imaging on the basis of list mode data of a list of radioactive count data detected by a nuclear medicine imaging apparatus for measuring radiation in a pulse mode, the processing from the measurement to imaging of radiation is accelerated substantially to the real time level by selecting the number of count data to be used for online imaging computations on the basis of the counting rate of radiation.