Novel time over threshold based readout method for MRI compatible small animal PET detector

Combined PET-MRI scanners start a new era in medical imaging. However the development of MRI compatible PET detector module is a challenging task. SiPM sensors are insensitive to magnetic field and constitute a promising solution. A drawback is the high dark current. A readout concept for SiPM based small animal PET detector module is presented in this paper. The results show that the readout of the SiPM is possible using only four ADC channels and the position map is comparable to the ideal solution. The detector modules based on the method are feasible solution for MRI compatible PET scanners.