Sub-pixel temporal skew correction for positron emission tomography (PET)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a calibration method for a gamma ray detector (100), the gamma ray detector comprising: a pixelated scintillator array (110) for emitting scintillation photons at a photon conversion location (94) in response to incident gamma rays (90); and a pixelated photodetector array (120) for determining a spatial intensity distribution of the scintillation photons. The present invention is based on the concept of using the concept of optical light sharing of scintillation photons (in an element (i.e., in an optical field). ) of the scintillator array (110), one scintillator pixel (112) of the scintillator array (110), and distributed over a plurality of photodetector pixels (122) of the pixelated photodetector array (120), allow for obtaining an estimate for a temporal skew between adjacent photodetector pixels (122). The invention also relates to a calibration module (200) for a gamma ray detector (100) comprising a recorder (210) and a processing module (220) to perform the functions of the above method. In addition, the invention also relates to a gamma ray detector (100) and a medical imaging device (50) comprising the gamma ray detector (100).

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a calibration method for a gamma ray detector, a corresponding calibration module for a gamma ray detector, a gamma ray detector and a medical imaging device. Background technique [0002] Positron emission tomography (PET) is a commonly used medical imaging technique. The technique is based on the detection of gamma-ray photons emitted after administration of a radiotracer substance to a patient (eg, by injecting the radiotracer substance into a peripheral vein). The nuclei of the radioisotope of the radiotracer substance emit positrons (positively charged electrons) that collide with electrons in the patient's tissue. This process converts mass into energy in the form of two emitted gamma-ray photons. The two gamma-ray photons are directed in opposite directions and are detected by a radiation detector surrounding the imaging object (patient) as substantially simultaneous radiation detection events that define a lin...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Wave impedance and cable length cause time delays, and clock distribution along individual lanes cannot be achieved without additional buffers with corresponding individual time delays

[0005] Even though TOF PET can reduce the acquisition time and increase the effective sensitivity of PET acquisition by calculating the time difference between two coincident photons, for a system with a coincidence timing resolution of 200ps (FWHM), an uncorrected time skew of 20ps to 40ps can degrade system performance

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