PET Patient Positioning Using AFOV Sensitivity Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
PET imaging systems with large axial field of view (AFOV) exhibit reduced sensitivity at the edges, compromising image quality when imaging larger sections of the patient.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that generates an anatomical reference image with a sensitivity ruler, adjusts the patient's position to center the region of interest within the scanner's axial field of view, and acquires emission tomography scan data to maximize detection sensitivity, resulting in higher image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the axial field of view (AFOV) of PET scanners is increased to image larger sections of the patient, then the coverage area is improved, but the detection sensitivity at the edges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the region of interest in the central area of the axial field of view where detection sensitivity is maximal. Rather than attempting to improve sensitivity uniformly across the entire AFOV, the system optimizes the local positioning of the ROI to coincide with the high-sensitivity central region, thereby resolving the contradiction between large coverage and edge sensitivity.
2Area of stationary object
If the region of interest is positioned at the edges of the axial field of view, then the coverage of larger patient sections is achieved, but the image quality deteriorates due to reduced sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by performing a scout scan to generate an anatomical reference image before the diagnostic scan. This reference image is used to pre-determine the optimal positioning of the region of interest within the central high-sensitivity area of the AFOV, ensuring that the ROI is correctly positioned before the actual diagnostic imaging begins, thus preventing image quality deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes image quality by ensuring the region of interest is localized to the central area of the AFOV where detection sensitivity is maximal. This local optimization approach allows the system to maintain high image quality for the ROI while still providing adequate coverage of larger patient sections through appropriate positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for positioning of a subject for imaging includes generating an anatomical reference image of the subject based on scan data acquired during a scout scan and causing display, on a graphical user interface, of the anatomical reference image with a sensitivity ruler and a scan range. The sensitivity ruler indicates a detection sensitivity along an axial field of view of an emission tomography scanner. The method includes automatically adjusting a position of the subject so that a region of interest to be imaged is centered within the axial field of view to maximize the detection sensitivity during a diagnostic scan with the emission tomography scanner. The method includes acquiring emission tomography scan data of the region of interest during the diagnostic scan and reconstructing a diagnostic image based on the emission tomography scan data. The diagnostic image has higher image quality than the anatomical reference image.