| |
Records |
Links |
|
Author |
Oliver, J.F.; Rafecas, M. |
|
| |
Title |
Modelling Random Coincidences in Positron Emission Tomography by Using Singles and Prompts: A Comparison Study |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2016 |
Publication |
PLoS One |
Abbreviated Journal |
PLoS ONE |
|
| |
Volume |
11 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages  |
e0162096 - 22pp |
|
| |
Keywords |
|
|
| |
Abstract |
Random coincidences degrade the image in Positron Emission Tomography, PET. To compensate for their degradation effects, the rate of random coincidences should be estimated. Under certain circumstances, current estimation methods fail to provide accurate results. We propose a novel method, “Singles-Prompts” (SP), that includes the information conveyed by prompt coincidences and models the pile-up. The SP method has the same structure than the well-known “Singles Rate” (SR) approach. Hence, SP can straightforwardly replace SR. In this work, the SP method has been extensively assessed and compared to two conventional methods, SR and the delayed window (DW) method, in a preclinical PET scenario using Monte-Carlo simulations. SP offers accurate estimates for the randoms rates, while SR and DW tend to overestimate the rates (similar to 10%, and 5%, respectively). With pile-up, the SP method is more robust than SR (but less than DW). At the image level, the contrast is overestimated in SR-corrected images, + 16%, while SP produces the correct value. Spill-over is slightly reduced using SP instead of SR. The DW images values are similar to those of SP except for low-statistic scenarios, where DW behaves as if randoms were not compensated for. In particular, the contrast is reduced, -16%. In general, the better estimations of SP translate into better image quality. |
|
| |
Address |
[Oliver, Josep F.; Rafecas, M.] Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC UV CSIC, Valencia, Spain, Email: josep.f.oliver@uv.es |
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
Public Library Science |
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
1932-6203 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
WOS:000383255200040 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
2825 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Brzezinski, K.; Oliver, J.F.; Gillam, J.; Rafecas, M.; Studen, A.; Grkovski, M.; Kagan, H.; Smith, S.; Llosa, G.; Lacasta, C.; Clinthorne, N.H. |
|
| |
Title |
Experimental evaluation of the resolution improvement provided by a silicon PET probe |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2016 |
Publication |
Journal of Instrumentation |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. Instrum. |
|
| |
Volume |
11 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
P09016 - 13pp |
|
| |
Keywords |
Gamma camera; SPECT; PET PET/CT; coronary CT angiography (CTA); Medical-image reconstruction methods and algorithms; computer-aided software |
|
| |
Abstract |
A high-resolution PET system, which incorporates a silicon detector probe into a conventional PET scanner, has been proposed to obtain increased image quality in a limited region of interest. Detailed simulation studies have previously shown that the additional probe information improves the spatial resolution of the reconstructed image and increases lesion detectability, with no cost to other image quality measures. The current study expands on the previous work by using a laboratory prototype of the silicon PET-probe system to examine the resolution improvement in an experimental setting. Two different versions of the probe prototype were assessed, both consisting of a back-to-back pair of 1-mm thick silicon pad detectors, one arranged in 32 x 16 arrays of 1.4mm x 1.4mm pixels and the other in 40 x 26 arrays of 1.0mm x 1.0mm pixels. Each detector was read out by a set of VATAGP7 ASICs and a custom-designed data acquisition board which allowed trigger and data interfacing with the PET scanner, itself consisting of BGO block detectors segmented into 8 x 6 arrays of 6mm x 12mm x 30mm crystals. Limited-angle probe data was acquired from a group of Na-22 point-like sources in order to observe the maximum resolution achievable using the probe system. Data from a Derenzo-like resolution phantom was acquired, then scaled to obtain similar statistical quality as that of previous simulation studies. In this case, images were reconstructed using measurements of the PET ring alone and with the inclusion of the probe data. Images of the Na-22 source demonstrated a resolution of 1.5mm FWHM in the probe data, the PET ring resolution being approximately 6 mm. Profiles taken through the image of the Derenzo-like phantom showed a clear increase in spatial resolution. Improvements in peak-to-valley ratios of 50% and 38%, in the 4.8mm and 4.0mm phantom features respectively, were observed, while previously unresolvable 3.2mm features were brought to light by the addition of the probe. These results support the possibility of improving the image resolution of a clinical PET scanner using the silicon PET-probe. |
|
| |
Address |
[Brzezinski, K.; Oliver, J. F.; Gillam, J.; Rafecas, M.; Llosa, G.; Lacasta, C.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular, C Catedrat Jose Beltran 2, Valencia, Spain, Email: k.w.brzezinski@rug.nl |
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
Iop Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
1748-0221 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
WOS:000387862300016 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
2865 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Oliver, J.F.; Rafecas, M. |
|
| |
Title |
Improving the singles rate method for modeling accidental coincidences in high-resolution PET |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2010 |
Publication |
Physics in Medicine and Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Med. Biol. |
|
| |
Volume |
55 |
Issue |
22 |
Pages |
6951-6971 |
|
| |
Keywords |
|
|
| |
Abstract |
Random coincidences ('randoms') are one of the main sources of image degradation in PET imaging. In order to correct for this effect, an accurate method to estimate the contribution of random events is necessary. This aspect becomes especially relevant for high-resolution PET scanners where the highest image quality is sought and accurate quantitative analysis is undertaken. One common approach to estimate randoms is the so-called singles rate method (SR) widely used because of its good statistical properties. SR is based on the measurement of the singles rate in each detector element. However, recent studies suggest that SR systematically overestimates the correct random rate. This overestimation can be particularly marked for low energy thresholds, below 250 keV used in some applications and could entail a significant image degradation. In this work, we investigate the performance of SR as a function of the activity, geometry of the source and energy acceptance window used. We also investigate the performance of an alternative method, which we call 'singles trues' (ST) that improves SR by properly modeling the presence of true coincidences in the sample. Nevertheless, in any real data acquisition the knowledge of which singles are members of a true coincidence is lost. Therefore, we propose an iterative method, STi, that provides an estimation based on ST but which only requires the knowledge of measurable quantities: prompts and singles. Due to inter-crystal scatter, for wide energy windows ST only partially corrects SR overestimations. While SR deviations are in the range 86-300% (depending on the source geometry), the ST deviations are systematically smaller and contained in the range 4-60%. STi fails to reproduce the ST results, although for not too high activities the deviation with respect to ST is only a few percent. For conventional energy windows, i.e. those without inter-crystal scatter, the ST method corrects the SR overestimations, and deviations from the true random rate are of the order of 1% or less. In addition, in the case of conventional energy window STi results reproduce ST results and therefore the former can be used to obtain the true random rate. |
|
| |
Address |
[Oliver, Josep F.; Rafecas, Magdalena] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular, IFIC, E-46003 Valencia, Spain, Email: josep.f.oliver@uv.es |
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
Iop Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
0031-9155 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
ISI:000283789700025 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
no |
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ elepoucu @ |
Serial |
344 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Brzezinski, K.; Oliver, J.F.; Gillam, J.; Rafecas, M. |
|
| |
Title |
Study of a high-resolution PET system using a Silicon detector probe |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2014 |
Publication |
Physics in Medicine and Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Med. Biol. |
|
| |
Volume |
59 |
Issue |
20 |
Pages |
6117-6140 |
|
| |
Keywords |
PET; high-resolution imaging; Si detectors; PET insert |
|
| |
Abstract |
A high-resolution silicon detector probe, in coincidence with a conventional PET scanner, is expected to provide images of higher quality than those achievable using the scanner alone. Spatial resolution should improve due to the finer pixelization of the probe detector, while increased sensitivity in the probe vicinity is expected to decrease noise. A PET-probe prototype is being developed utilizing this principle. The system includes a probe consisting of ten layers of silicon detectors, each a 80 x 52 array of 1 x 1 x 1 mm(3) pixels, to be operated in coincidence with a modern clinical PET scanner. Detailed simulation studies of this system have been performed to assess the effect of the additional probe information on the quality of the reconstructed images. A grid of point sources was simulated to study the contribution of the probe to the system resolution at different locations over the field of view (FOV). A resolution phantom was used to demonstrate the effect on image resolution for two probe positions. A homogeneous source distribution with hot and cold regions was used to demonstrate that the localized improvement in resolution does not come at the expense of the overall quality of the image. Since the improvement is constrained to an area close to the probe, breast imaging is proposed as a potential application for the novel geometry. In this sense, a simplified breast phantom, adjacent to heart and torso compartments, was simulated and the effect of the probe on lesion detectability, through measurements of the local contrast recovery coefficient-to-noise ratio (CNR), was observed. The list-mode ML-EM algorithm was used for image reconstruction in all cases. As expected, the point spread function of the PET-probe system was found to be non-isotropic and vary with position, offering improvement in specific regions. Increase in resolution, of factors of up to 2, was observed in the region close to the probe. Images of the resolution phantom showed visible improvement in resolution when including the probe in the simulations. The image quality study demonstrated that contrast and spill-over ratio in other areas of the FOV were not sacrificed for this enhancement. The CNR study performed on the breast phantom indicates increased lesion detectability provided by the probe. |
|
| |
Address |
[Brzezinski, K.; Oliver, J. F.; Gillam, J.; Rafecas, M.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular, E-46980 Valencia, Spain, Email: brzezinski@ific.uv.es |
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
Iop Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
0031-9155 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
WOS:000343092300011 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
1963 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Aguiar, P.; Rafecas, M.; Ortuño, J.E.; Kontaxakis, G.; Santos, A.; Pavia, J.; Rosetti, M. |
|
| |
Title |
Geometrical and Monte Carlo projectors in 3D PET reconstruction |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2010 |
Publication |
Medical Physics |
Abbreviated Journal |
Med. Phys. |
|
| |
Volume |
37 |
Issue |
11 |
Pages |
5691-5702 |
|
| |
Keywords |
3D PET; iterative reconstruction; list-mode reconstruction; ray-tracing techniques; Monte Carlo simulation; system response matrix |
|
| |
Abstract |
Purpose: In the present work, the authors compare geometrical and Monte Carlo projectors in detail. The geometrical projectors considered were the conventional geometrical Siddon ray-tracer (S-RT) and the orthogonal distance-based ray-tracer (OD-RT), based on computing the orthogonal distance from the center of image voxel to the line-of-response. A comparison of these geometrical projectors was performed using different point spread function (PSF) models. The Monte Carlo-based method under consideration involves an extensive model of the system response matrix based on Monte Carlo simulations and is computed off-line and stored on disk. Methods: Comparisons were performed using simulated and experimental data of the commercial small animal PET scanner rPET. Results: The results demonstrate that the orthogonal distance-based ray-tracer and Siddon ray-tracer using PSF image-space convolutions yield better images in terms of contrast and spatial resolution than those obtained after using the conventional method and the multiray-based S-RT. Furthermore, the Monte Carlo-based method yields slight improvements in terms of contrast and spatial resolution with respect to these geometrical projectors. Conclusions: The orthogonal distance-based ray-tracer and Siddon ray-tracer using PSF image-space convolutions represent satisfactory alternatives to factorizing the system matrix or to the conventional on-the-fly ray-tracing methods for list-mode reconstruction, where an extensive modeling based on Monte Carlo simulations is unfeasible. |
|
| |
Address |
[Aguiar, Pablo] Univ Santiago de Compostela, Dept Fis Particulas, Complexo Hosp Univ Santiago de Compostela, Fdn IDICHUS IDIS, Santiago De Compostela, Spain, Email: pablo.aguiar.fernandez@sergas.es |
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
Amer Assoc Physicists Medicine Amer Inst Physics |
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
0094-2405 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
ISI:000283747600015 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
no |
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ elepoucu @ |
Serial |
338 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Solevi, P. et al; Oliver, J.F.; Gillam, J.E.; Rafecas, M. |
|
| |
Title |
A Monte-Carlo based model of the AX-PET demonstrator and its experimental validation |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2013 |
Publication |
Physics in Medicine and Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Med. Biol. |
|
| |
Volume |
58 |
Issue |
16 |
Pages |
5495-5510 |
|
| |
Keywords |
|
|
| |
Abstract |
AX-PET is a novel PET detector based on axially oriented crystals and orthogonal wavelength shifter (WLS) strips, both individually read out by silicon photo-multipliers. Its design decouples sensitivity and spatial resolution, by reducing the parallax error due to the layered arrangement of the crystals. Additionally the granularity of AX-PET enhances the capability to track photons within the detector yielding a large fraction of inter-crystal scatter events. These events, if properly processed, can be included in the reconstruction stage further increasing the sensitivity. Its unique features require dedicated Monte-Carlo simulations, enabling the development of the device, interpreting data and allowing the development of reconstruction codes. At the same time the non-conventional design of AX-PET poses several challenges to the simulation and modeling tasks, mostly related to the light transport and distribution within the crystals and WLS strips, as well as the electronics readout. In this work we present a hybrid simulation tool based on an analytical model and a Monte-Carlo based description of the AX-PET demonstrator. It was extensively validated against experimental data, providing excellent agreement. |
|
| |
Address |
[Solevi, P.; Oliver, J. F.; Gillam, J. E.; Rafecas, M.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, IFIC, E-46071 Valencia, Spain, Email: paola.solevi@ific.uv.es |
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
Iop Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
0031-9155 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
WOS:000322775300012 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
1544 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Solevi, P.; Muñoz, E.; Solaz, C.; Trovato, M.; Dendooven, P.; Gillam, J.E.; Lacasta, C.; Oliver, J.F.; Rafecas, M.; Torres-Espallardo, I.; Llosa, G. |
|
| |
Title |
Performance of MACACO Compton telescope for ion-beam therapy monitoring: first test with proton beams |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2016 |
Publication |
Physics in Medicine and Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Med. Biol. |
|
| |
Volume |
61 |
Issue |
14 |
Pages |
5149-5165 |
|
| |
Keywords |
ion-beam therapy; range verification; prompt gamma; Compton camera; GATE |
|
| |
Abstract |
In order to exploit the advantages of ion-beam therapy in a clinical setting, delivery verification techniques are necessary to detect deviations from the planned treatment. Efforts are currently oriented towards the development of devices for real-time range monitoring. Among the different detector concepts proposed, Compton cameras are employed to detect prompt gammas and represent a valid candidate for real-time range verification. We present the first on-beam test of MACACO, a Compton telescope (multi-layer Compton camera) based on lanthanum bromide crystals and silicon photo-multipliers. The Compton telescope was first characterized through measurements and Monte Carlo simulations. The detector linearity was measured employing Na-22 and Am-Be sources, obtaining about 10% deviation from linearity at 3.44 MeV. A spectral image reconstruction algorithm was tested on synthetic data. Point-like sources emitting gamma rays with energy between 2 and 7 MeV were reconstructed with 3-5 mm resolution. The two-layer Compton telescope was employed to measure radiation emitted from a beam of 150 MeV protons impinging on a cylindrical PMMA target. Bragg-peak shifts were achieved via adjustment of the PMMA target location and the resulting measurements used during image reconstruction. Reconstructed Bragg peak profiles proved sufficient to observe peak-location differences within 10 mm demonstrating the potential of the MACACO Compton Telescope as a monitoring device for ion-beam therapy. |
|
| |
Address |
[Solevi, Paola; Munoz, Enrique; Solaz, Carles; Trovato, Marco; Gillam, John E.; Lacasta, Carlos; Oliver, Josep F.; Rafecas, Magdalena; Torres-Espallardo, Irene; Llosa, Gabriela] IFIC CSIC UVEG, Inst Fis Corpuscular, Valencia, Spain, Email: paola.solevi@ovgu.de |
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
Iop Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
0031-9155 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
WOS:000379555300007 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
2754 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Gillam, J.E.; Solevi, P.; Oliver, J.F.; Casella, C.; Heller, M.; Joram, C.; Rafecas, M. |
|
| |
Title |
Sensitivity recovery for the AX-PET prototype using inter-crystal scattering events |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2014 |
Publication |
Physics in Medicine and Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Med. Biol. |
|
| |
Volume |
59 |
Issue |
15 |
Pages |
4065-4083 |
|
| |
Keywords |
positron emission tomography (PET); inter-crystal scattering; sensitivity |
|
| |
Abstract |
The development of novel detection devices and systems such as the AX-positron emission tomography (PET) demonstrator often introduce or increase the measurement of atypical coincidence events such as inter-crystal scattering (ICS). In more standard systems, ICS events often go undetected and the small measured fraction may be ignored. As the measured quantity of such events in the data increases, so too does the importance of considering them during image reconstruction. Generally, treatment of ICS events will attempt to determine which of the possible candidate lines of response (LoRs) correctly determine the annihilation photon trajectory. However, methods of assessment often have low success rates or are computationally demanding. In this investigation alternative approaches are considered. Experimental data was taken using the AX-PET prototype and a NEMA phantom. Three methods of ICS treatment were assessed-each of which considered all possible candidate LoRs during image reconstruction. Maximum likelihood expectation maximization was used in conjunction with both standard (line-like) and novel (V-like in this investigation) detection responses modeled within the system matrix. The investigation assumed that no information other than interaction locations was available to distinguish between candidates, yet the methods assessed all provided means by which such information could be included. In all cases it was shown that the signal to noise ratio is increased using ICS events. However, only one method, which used full modeling of the ICS response in the system matrix-the V-like model-provided enhancement in all figures of merit assessed in this investigation. Finally, the optimal method of ICS incorporation was demonstrated using data from two small animals measured using the AX-PET demonstrator. |
|
| |
Address |
[Gillam, John E.; Solevi, Paola; Oliver, Josep F.; Rafecas, Magdalena] Univ Valencia, CSIC, IFIC, Valencia, Spain, Email: john.gillam@sydney.edu.au |
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
Iop Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
0031-9155 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
WOS:000340056800006 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
|
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
1879 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Oliver, J.F.; Fuster-Garcia, E.; Cabello, J.; Tortajada, S.; Rafecas, M. |
|
| |
Title |
Application of Artificial Neural Network for Reducing Random Coincidences in PET |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2013 |
Publication |
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. |
|
| |
Volume |
60 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
3399-3409 |
|
| |
Keywords |
|
|
| |
Abstract |
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is based on the detection in coincidence of the two photons created in a positron annihilation. In conventional PET, this coincidence identification is usually carried out through a coincidence electronic unit. An accidental coincidence occurs when two photons arising from different annihilations are classified as a coincidence. Accidental coincidences are one of the main sources of image degradation in PET. Some novel systems allow coincidences to be selected post-acquisition in software, or in real time through a digital coincidence engine in an FPGA. These approaches provide the user with extra flexibility in the sorting process and allow the application of alternative coincidence sorting procedures. In this work a novel sorting procedure based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) techniques has been developed. It has been compared to a conventional coincidence sorting algorithm based on a time coincidence window. The data have been obtained from Monte-Carlo simulations. A small animal PET scanner has been implemented to this end. The efficiency (the ratio of correct identifications) can be selected for both methods. In one case by changing the actual value of the coincidence window used, and in the other by changing a threshold at the output of the neural network. At matched efficiencies, the ANN-based method always produces a sorted output with a smaller random fraction. In addition, two differential trends are found: the conventional method presents a maximum achievable efficiency, while the ANN-based method is able to increase the efficiency up to unity, the ideal value, at the cost of increasing the random fraction. Images reconstructed using ANN sorted data (no compensation for randoms) present better contrast, and those image features which are more affected by randoms are enhanced. For the image quality phantom used in the paper, the ANN method decreases the spill-over ratio by a factor of 18%. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
0018-9499 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
WOS:000325827200027 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
1611 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
|
Author |
Cabello, J.; Torres-Espallardo, I.; Gillam, J.E.; Rafecas, M. |
|
| |
Title |
PET Reconstruction From Truncated Projections Using Total-Variation Regularization for Hadron Therapy Monitoring |
Type |
Journal Article |
| |
Year |
2013 |
Publication |
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. |
|
| |
Volume |
60 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
3364-3372 |
|
| |
Keywords |
|
|
| |
Abstract |
Hadron therapy exploits the properties of ion beams to treat tumors by maximizing the dose released to the target and sparing healthy tissue. With hadron beams, the dose distribution shows a relatively low entrance dose which rises sharply at the end of the range, providing the characteristic Bragg peak that drops quickly thereafter. It is of critical importance in order not to damage surrounding healthy tissues and/or avoid targeting underdosage to know where the delivered dose profile ends-the location of the Bragg peak. During hadron therapy, short-lived beta(+)-emitters are produced along the beam path, their distribution being correlated with the delivered dose. Following positron annihilation, two photons are emitted, which can be detected using a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. The low yield of emitters, their short half-life, and the wash out from the target region make the use of PET, even only a few minutes after hadron irradiation, a challenging application. In-beam PET represents a potential candidate to estimate the distribution of beta(+)-emitters during or immediately after irradiation, at the cost of truncation effects and degraded image quality due to the partial rings required of the PET scanner. Time-of-flight (ToF) information can potentially be used to compensate for truncation effects and to enhance image contrast. However, the highly demanding timing performance required in ToF-PET makes this option costly. Alternatively, the use of maximum-a-posteriori-expectation-maximization (MAP-EM), including total variation (TV) in the cost function, produces images with low noise, while preserving spatial resolution. In this paper, we compare data reconstructed with maximum-likelihood-expectation-maximization (ML-EM) and MAP-EM using TV as prior, and the impact of including ToF information, from data acquired with a complete and a partial-ring PET scanner, of simulated hadron beams interacting with a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) target. The results show that MAP-EM, in the absence of ToF information, produces lower noise images and more similar data compared to the simulated beta(+) distributions than ML-EM with ToF information in the order of 200-600 ps. The investigation is extended to the combination of MAP-EM and ToF information to study the limit of performance using both approaches. |
|
| |
Address |
|
|
| |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
|
| |
Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
|
| |
Language |
|
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
|
| |
Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
|
| |
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
|
| |
ISSN |
0018-9499 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
|
| |
Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
|
| |
Notes |
WOS:000325827200023 |
Approved |
no |
|
| |
Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
|
| |
Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
1610 |
|
| Permanent link to this record |
