This is a proposal to study feasibility of a spherical positron emission tomograph (S-PET). Extensive computer simulations of the S-PET predict that a spherical scanner would have increased spatial resolution and increased sensitivity far in excess of currently available machines. A spatial resolution of 3 mm is achievable, which makes the S-PET ideally suited for brain imaging. The increased sensitivity is derived from the large solid angle from which the radiation is collected. The sphere could be more than four times as sensitive as a corresponding cylindrical scanner. Although the spherical scanner could ultimately have 23 rings of detectors, we propose in this application to build a single ring with two opposing patches. A rotating phantom between the two patches can generate all the data needed for reconstruction from a sphere. For this proposal a cost-effective detector packing scheme is introduced. Also, a new megachannel coincidence circuit and a new sampling mode have been developed and will be used in the proposed scanner. A direct volume image reconstruction algorithm, previously developed, will be implemented in the proposed system.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS020290-07
Application #
3400590
Study Section
Diagnostic Radiology Study Section (RNM)
Project Start
1984-01-01
Project End
1991-12-31
Budget Start
1990-01-01
Budget End
1991-12-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
064931884
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027