Physical and clinical assessment of recent advances in positron emission tomography

• Main Author: Jakoby, Bjorn W.
• Published: University of Surrey 2011
• Subjects: 616.07575
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.555921

Positron Emission Tomography has experienced several advances-in the last decade. This thesis assesses the recent developments in PET scanners: New, fast scintillators, higher resolution detectors, fully 3D imaging and increased sensitivity, iterative reconstruction algorithms with implementation of point spread function modelling and time-of- flight. The physical performance characteristics of three multi-ring and one panel based configuration were quantified using phantom experiments. The clinical impact of increased sensitivity was explored. Figures of merit to assess image quality were established and a method to optimise reconstruction algorithms for signal-to-noise was developed and applied. The improvements of implementing point spread function modelling into image reconstruction were investigated and quantified. The implementation of time-of- flight in addition to point-spread-function modelling was explored in substantial detail and compared. Experimental results were obtained and the clinical impact of time-of- flight was assessed. In a final investigation, the panel based PET scanner design was successfully applied in veterinary medicine.