Simulation study on sensitivity performance of a helmet-shaped brain PET scanner based on the Plug&Imaging detector design

Novel design solutions for the functional imaging of patients suffering of motion disorders represent the frontiers of nuclear medicine and neurology. We report the design and simulation of a novel digital helmet-shaped Positron Emission Tomography system with transverse and longitudinal Field Of View of 205 mm and 283.8 mm respectively. We calculated the sensitivity of the system in simulation in accordance to NEMA standards. The device shows a 45.5% to 70.2% increase around the centre of the Field Of View with respect to a conventional cylindrical brain PET system. Furthermore, the sensitivity has a constant profile in a wide area across the Field Of View. In addition, in order to verify the correctness of the estimation, we compared the simulated and experimental sensitivities of a previously designed brain PET system, which were found in good agreement. Finally, we exposed how the helmet is a more cost-efficient architecture that provides high sensitivity than the cylindrical geometry based on the Plug&Imaging technology for brain screening.

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