Performance characteristics of a miniPET scanner dedicated to small animal imaging

An easy to scale up modular PET scanner was developed for imaging small animals. Energy resolution, spatial resolution and count rate performance were determined as system parameters. The configuration provided an average energy resolution of 19.6 % and the image resolution ranges was 1.5 to 2.3 mm in radial direction. The sensitivity of the miniPET was 1.08 cps/kBq as determined using a point source. In addition, results of rat brain scan performed with FDG are given to characterize imaging capability of the system. The displayed data document that the miniPET scanner supports good quality brain imaging of small animals