Digital Signal and Image Processing in Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomography

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that uses radiotracers to diagnose organism functions and track tumor changes. The Jagiellonian PET (J-PET) Collaboration developed a novel whole-body PET scanner based on plastic scintillators, which are cheaper than crystal scintillators but have lower detection efficiency of gamma quanta. This can be compensated by increasing the scanner field of view and improving the time resolution. The J-PET scanner consists of plastic scintillator strips read out at both ends by a pair of photomultipliers and arranged axially around a cylindrical tomograph tunnel. This dissertation presents signal and image processing algorithms for the J-PET scanner, which are innovative solutions in digital signal and image processing in tomography.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 124 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2022
Publisher: Uniwersytet Jagiellonski, Wydawnictwo

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a vital technique in the realm of medical imaging, enabling the diagnosis of organism functions and the tracking of tumor changes. In the process of PET measurement, the patient is administered a radiotracer containing a multitude of metastable atoms of a radionuclide, which subsequently emits positrons. The outcome of positron annihilation yields the production of two photons that travel in nearly opposite directions, which are subsequently registered by a detection system strategically positioned to encompass the patient's body.

State-of-the-art PET scanners employ scintillation crystals renowned for their exceptional detection efficiency of annihilation photons. It is noteworthy that the Jagiellonian PET (J-PET) Collaboration has developed a groundbreaking whole-body PET scanner utilizing plastic scintillators. These plastic scintillators offer a significant cost advantage over crystal scintillators, thereby making PET scanners more accessible and affordable. However, it is important to note that plastic scintillators exhibit a lower detection efficiency of gamma quanta compared to inorganic scintillation crystals. This disparity can be addressed by expanding the scanner field of view and enhancing the time resolution in measuring the time of flight of gamma quanta.

The J-PET scanner comprises plastic scintillator strips, which are read out at both ends by a pair of photomultipliers, and are arranged axially around a cylindrical tomograph tunnel. The axial coordinate of the annihilation photon interaction point within the scintillator strip is determined by calculating the difference in the light propagation time measured by the pair of photomultipliers.

The operational principles of the J-PET scanner closely resemble those of conventional tomographs, with the crucial distinction that the acquisition of highly precise time information holds paramount importance. Consequently, the J-PET scanner employs advanced techniques to ensure accurate time measurement, thereby contributing to its exceptional performance and reliability.

Weight: 666g
Dimension: 240 x 150 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788323350156