SiPM PET Dead Pixel Identification via Sinogram Interpolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Positron emission tomography (PET) systems employing silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are prone to non-functioning pixels, which result in degraded image quality and imaging artifacts due to dead or low-count pixels, affecting the accuracy of standardized uptake values (SUVs) and reconstructed images.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that compensates for non-functioning pixels by filling in missing data using neighboring pixel data through first-order approximation or sinogram space interpolation, and identifies these pixels using quality control scans to validate patient dataset SUVs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SiPM-based PET systems are used to increase channel count and reduce individual component size, then the system can tolerate non-functioning components better, but the quality of reconstructed images is degraded due to dead pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the sinogram data by interpolating missing information from neighboring pixels. The interpolation process generates synthetic data that replicates what would have been detected by non-functioning pixels, effectively copying information from working pixels to replace missing data and maintain image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step between data acquisition and image reconstruction. The sinogram interpolation process acts as a mediator that fills in missing data from non-functioning pixels using information from neighboring pixels, thereby preventing direct transmission of defective data to the reconstruction algorithm
2Productivity
If dead pixels are present in the detector array, then the system continues to operate, but dark lines of missing data appear in the sinogram and imaging artifacts occur during reconstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary interpolation of missing sinogram data before the reconstruction process. By identifying and filling in missing data from dead pixels in advance, the system prepares complete sinogram data that prevents imaging artifacts during reconstruction while maintaining continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of dead pixels into a manageable problem by using the spatial correlation of sinogram data. The missing data from dead pixels is recovered by interpolating from neighboring pixels, transforming the harmful missing data into recoverable information that can be filled in systematically
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 imaging artifacts, enhances image quality, and improves the accuracy of SUVs by effectively handling non-functioning pixels in PET systems, particularly in SiPM-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
PET systems have been transitioning to silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), such as 3x3 or 4x4 millimeter (mm) SiPMs, for light detection
Implementation Method 2
A typical PMT based PET system contains anywhere from about 12,000 to 33,000 individual scintillators
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (10) and a method (150) identify non-functioning pixels in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Data describing scintillation events localized to a plurality of pixels (22, 32) of a PET scanner (12) is received. A count map histogram is generated from the received data. The count map histogram maps each of the pixels (22, 32) to a count of scintillation events localized to the pixel (22, 32). One or more non-functioning pixels are identified from the count map histogram.