A new generation of SPECT and PET systems based on position sensitive photomultipliers

The design and image reconstruction aspects of a head SPECT (single photon-emission computerized tomography), a body SPECT, and a body PET (photon emission tomography) system, all based on 13-cm-diameter position-sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PSPMTs) have been investigated. Wobbling is introduced to improve the resolution of the head SPECT from 1.2 cm to 0.9 cm at 10 cm. By combining data from adjacent tubes, the resolution of the body ring SPECT is improved from 2.1 cm to 1.7 cm at 20 cm. Sampling gaps are reduced in the ring PET after one rotational increment. Results of computer simulation studies to reconstruct tomographic images from these systems are presented. The PSPMT-based imaging systems greatly facilitate dynamic imaging and should lead to significant reductions in electronic components over existing systems.<
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