Initial characterization of a prototype multi-crystal cylindrical SPECT system

A prototype single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been constructed to demonstrate the performance of a multislice design for high-resolution brain imaging. The system consists of a stationary cylindrical detector comprised of multiple bars of NaI(Tl) scintillator, and a rotating collimator. The collimator consists of an assembly of multiholed modules arranged with a four quadrant symmetry. The collimator modules are individually focused for discrete sampling in the transverse plane but parallel collimated for continuous sampling in the axial direction. Fan beam sampling for each detector bar in the transverse plane is accomplished after a 360 degrees rotation of the collimator. An array of photomultiplier tubes coupled to the outside of the detector cylinder identifies the bar and the axial position along the bar for each detected event. The current performance of this prototype system has been evaluated. The tomographic images of resolution and anthromorphic phantoms demonstrated high image quality.<>