Upright Walk-through PET Scanner for Simultaneous Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PET/CT scanners face limitations in patient throughput due to high CT scanning times and patient positioning challenges, which increase the complexity and cost of the imaging process while reducing efficiency and increasing healthcare costs.
Innovation Solution
A modified PET scanning protocol that allows for simultaneous acquisition of anatomical and molecular information, reducing the need for sequential CT scans and enabling upright patient positioning, thereby creating a more efficient and cost-effective imaging system with a 'walk-through' PET scanner design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequential PET and CT scanning is performed to obtain both molecular and anatomical information, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but total scanning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PET and CT scanning capabilities into a single integrated system with a unified detector that can simultaneously acquire both molecular (PET) and anatomical (CT) information. The detector system processes coincidence events from both radiotracer emission and external radiation source transmission, merging the functions of separate PET and CT scanners into one device that produces combined images in a single scanning session.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous simultaneous acquisition of PET and CT data during a single scanning pass. The detector continuously records coincidence events from both the radiotracer within the patient and the external radiation source, eliminating the need to stop for sequential scanning. This continuous dual-mode acquisition maintains diagnostic quality while reducing total examination time.
2Ease of operation
If a flat scanning table is used for patient positioning on PET/CT scanners, then patient access is simplified, but patient throughput decreases due to positioning time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional patient positioning approach by eliminating the flat scanning table entirely. Instead of requiring patients to lie supine on a table that must be inserted into the scanner, the system allows patients to stand or sit in an upright position during scanning. This inversion of the positioning paradigm removes the time-consuming table insertion and positioning steps while maintaining ease of patient access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the flat scanning table component from the imaging system. By eliminating this mechanical positioning element entirely, the system reduces the mechanical complexity and time required for patient positioning. The detector system is designed to acquire images without requiring the patient to be supported by or positioned on a scanning table, thereby increasing patient throughput.
3Measurement precision
If more detectors are added to PET/CT scanners to increase imaging capability, then imaging quality is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal detector system that performs multiple functions simultaneously. The same detector array processes coincidence events from both the radiotracer (PET function) and the external radiation source (CT function). This multi-functional detector design eliminates the need for separate detector systems for PET and CT, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high imaging quality through integrated data acquisition and processing.
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 total scanning time, maintains diagnostic accuracy, and increases patient throughput by eliminating the need for separate CT scans and traditional patient positioning, leading to lower costs and improved healthcare efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a target volume of a subject injected with a radiotracer
Implementation Method 2
at least one PET detector configured to detect the occurrence of a coincidence event
Implementation Method 3
at least one radiation source configured to emit gamma radiation that illuminates at least one PET detector of the opposite scanning module
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the field of positron emission tomography imaging and, more in particular, to a method for PET imaging a target volume of a subject injected with a radiotracer, and a system configured for the same. The system for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging a target volume of a subject injected with a radiotracer may comprise at least two scanning modules, arranged opposite of each other and spaced apart so as to form a scanning area between them; wherein each of the at least two scanning modules comprises: at least one PET detector configured to detect the occurrence of a coincidence event in the scanning area; and, at least one radiation source configured to emit a gamma radiation that illuminates at least one PET detector of the opposite scanning module; and, a control unit in communication with the at least two scanning modules, that is configured to: acquire combined PET data related to the simultaneous detection of coincidence events from the PET detectors; spatially separate the combined PET data into transmission data and emission data; reconstruct a transmission image from the transmission data, wherein the transmission image comprises anatomical information of the target volume; reconstruct an emission image from the emission data, wherein the emission image comprises molecular information of the radiotracer; and, generate a combined image based on the transmission image and the emission image.