Feasibility Study of an Integrated Prompt Gamma Imaging and PET System for Range Verification in Proton Therapy

Proton range verification in vivo is beneficial and significant for precision treatment in proton therapy. Prompt gamma imaging (PGI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are two potential methods for in vivo range verification by measuring secondary particles produced in proton therapy. In this work we proposed an integrated prompt gamma and positron emission imaging system based on all-digital PET panel detectors and have performed Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the feasibility. The system consists of two panel PET detectors and collimators. During proton beam irradiation, prompt gamma one dimensional imaging could be performed by panel detectors combined with collimators. After proton beam irradiation, the collimators are moved and then positron emission imaging will be performed. This system could perform PGI and PET in one therapy fraction, which is able to increase the adaptability of the system for proton range verification in different treatment scenarios. On the other hand, it promises to achieve more accurate range verification by combining PGI and PET.