基于康普顿成像系统的碳离子治疗剂量监测研究

为实现碳离子治疗的精准放疗,精确监测患者体内的三维剂量分布,本文设计一种双层康普顿成像系统和简单反投影算法,利用Geant4仿真软件优化探测系统的结构,评估探测系统的探测效率、成像性能,分析200 MeV/μ的碳离子束轰击有机玻璃（PMMA）靶的三维剂量分布。此外,还使用四对像素1.5 mm×1.5 mm×10.0 mm、12×12阵列型的硅酸钇镥（LYSO）晶体对直径约为3 mm的²²Na点源进行康普顿成像实验,并对影响三维剂量监测精度因素进行分析。结果表明,对于0.847 MeV的γ点源,重建图像在横截面上半高宽（FWHM）增加至2.38 mm、冠状面上扩展至7.02 mm。康普顿成像系统通过探测碳离子束轰击PMMA靶产生的4.439 MeV瞬发γ射线,重建的三维剂量分布与真实三维剂量分布偏差为9.3%。利用LYSO康普顿成像系统样机的²²Na点源成像实验,得到半高宽为4.05 mm的重建图像,验证了康普顿成像方法的实用性。     

脑专用PET显像探测器自由结构符合与初步实验测试

采用脑PET进行人脑功能的研究对生物医学起到至关重要的作用,为了显著提高脑PET显像质量,增加探测效率、实时显示图像,本文设计一种脑专用PET显像大面积平板型探测系统,该探测系统由两个大面积探头组成,每个大面积探头包含3×3阵列的位置灵敏光电倍增管和多个紧密排布的硅酸钇镥闪烁晶体（Ce：LYSO)阵列。并利用1 μCi的²²Na点源对晶格大小为0.7 mm×0.7 mm等六种LYSO晶体阵列进行晶体性能测试,并选用两块晶格大小为1.5 mm×1.5 mm的LYSO晶体阵列进行一对一符合探测初步断层显像。结果显示,各种晶格大小的LYSO晶体阵列的位置区分轮廓的半高宽平均值在0.38~0.49 mm之间,平均能量分辨率（半高宽）在17.61%~30.40%之间;在对²²Na点源的初步图像断层扫描实验测试中,通过滤波反投影算法获得重建图像的空间分辨率为1.5 mm,验证了大面积平板型探测系统的可行性。     

乳腺影像学专用PET探测器模块设计

为进一步提升乳腺影像学专用PET系统的空间位置分辨率,基于LYSO晶体与位置灵敏光电倍增管耦合,设计了一种专用LYSO-PET探测器模块。探测模块由12×12根1.5 mm×1.5 mm×10 mm LYSO晶体条阵列与PS-PMT耦合组成,通过PXI 8501采集系统,获取入射粒子的2D泛场图像、能量信息及位置信息。该探测模块平均位置分辨率可达0.22 mm(本征)和0.55 mm(²²Na探测条件下);平均能量分辨率为22.4%(²²Na探测条件下)。双探头PET系统FOV中心²²Na点源轴向空间分辨率可达1.13 mm。探测器模块已基本满足位置分辨率要求,为实现亚毫米乳腺影像学专用PET系统提供了硬件支持。     

双层错位DOI脑PET探测器晶体厚度组合优化设计

双层错位晶体阵列是正电子发射断层成像（PET）仪获取作用深度（DOI）信息的一种低成本且简便的方案。为获得晶体厚度最优组合方案,本文使用GATE软件进行蒙特卡罗仿真研究。模拟兼容核磁共振成像（MRI）的嵌入式脑PET,环内径345 mm,使用硅酸钇镥（LYSO）晶体,2层晶体总厚度20 mm,内层晶体从0 mm到10 mm共11种厚度（间隔1 mm）;进行点源模拟实验,点源位于中心断层x轴上,偏移从x=0 cm到x=10 cm共6种情况（间隔2 cm）。计算中心点灵敏度;采用滤波反投影算法重建图像,评估径向空间分辨率。结果显示,双层晶体的设计相比于单层晶体灵敏度略有下降,但系统径向空间分辨率显著提高且其均匀性得到改善。随着内层晶体厚度的增大,视野平均径向空间分辨率先减小后增大,在内层晶体厚度为8 mm时达到最小。综上所述,所设计的双层错位DOI脑PET探测器晶体厚度最优组合方案为内层晶体厚度8 mm、外层晶体厚度12 mm。     

基于SiPM的乳腺专用PET探测模块研制与评价

基于单点型硅光电倍增管(Si PM)与LYSO闪烁晶体,研制了一种新型乳腺专用PET探测模块,并对其性能进行研究。该探测模块采用28×28根1.9 mm×1.9 mm×15 mm的LYSO晶体组成阵列,与8×8个单点型Si PM组成的阵列通过光导耦合,所产生的脉冲信号分别经过模拟、定时电路处理后送入高速采样电路完成信号处理。该探测模块能够实现1.9 mm位置分辨,12.73%平均能量分辨以及2.66 ns双探头符合时间分辨,具有较好的分辨性能,能够满足乳腺专用PET成像的设计需求。     

高分辨率小动物Micro Insert PET系统的模拟研究

在西门子Micro PET小动物成像系统中接入高分辨率的Insert探测器环,组成了Micro Insert PET系统,可以进一步提高小动物PET系统的图像分辨率。本文采用蒙特卡罗模拟软件GATE定义Focus-220小动物PET和Micro Insert两种系统,在同步仿真运算中,给出了三种类型的符合数据,即PET Scanner和PET Scanner之间的符合、PET Scanner和Insert之间的符合、Insert和Insert之间的符合。用滤波反投影算法重建了Na-22单点源模型、多点源模型、LZU模型的PET图像。其中,多点源模型的径向图像分辨率的仿真结果与美国华盛顿大学的Micro Insert实验数据,在忽略正电子射程、非线性效应项以及噪声等的贡献下,两者符合得很好。研究表明,使用Micro Insert系统能够将小动物PET系统的图像分辨率提高到亚毫米水平。     

基于GATE的双平板正电子发射乳腺断层成像系统的仿真研究

采用Monte Carlo法仿真软件GATE,构建专用于乳腺成像的双平板正电子发射断层成像系统PEM并研究其性能。参考NEMA NU 4–2008标准,并在试验中略作改动。研究了PEM(positron emission mammography)的灵敏度、散射分数、晶体散射、计数率、固有空间分辨率等参数。结果表明,在350–650 keV能窗、6 cm平板间距下,系统灵敏度达14.17%,固有空间分辨率约1.2 mm;乳腺仿体活度为29.6 MBq时,噪声等效计数率NECR为1.508×105/s,满足PEM系统所需。     

TOF-PET探测器定时性能初步研究

本工作采用LYSO晶体阵列和平板型位置灵敏光电倍增管H8500对TOF-PET探测器进行了初步设计,能分辨3.2mm×3.2mm的晶体阵列。与BaF₂探测器组成时间谱仪,测量正电子湮没射线的瞬发时间谱,得到379ps的符合时间分辨率。根据已测量的BaF₂探测器时间分辨率（159ps）,可计算得到所设计的TOF-PET探测器时间分辨率为344ps。预计与此相同的两个TOF-PET探测器对正电子湮没射线的符合时间分辨率可达486ps左右,为新型PET的研究提供了有利条件。     

光导厚度对基于高分辨率LYSO和SiPM阵列PET探测器性能的影响

正电子发射计算机断层显像(Positron Emission Tomography,PET)是一种高灵敏和具有定量测量能力的分子影像方法,PET探测器通常由高探测效率的晶体阵列和位置灵敏或阵列光探测器组成,PET探测器的位置分辨率主要由晶体单元的大小和晶体分辨图的质量决定。使用现有小动物PET探测器常用的硅酸钇镥(Lutetium-yttrium Oyorthosilicate,LYSO)晶体阵列和硅光电倍增管(Silicon Photomultipliers,Si PM)阵列,系统地研究了晶体阵列和Si PM阵列之间光导的厚度对探测器晶体分辨图和能谱的影响。所使用的晶体阵列为12×12,单个晶体尺寸为0.89 mm×0.89 mm×10 mm,Si PM为日本滨松的4×4阵列,单元大小为3 mm×3 mm,间距为3.2 mm,光导使用厚度为0.5 mm、1.0 mm、1.5 mm、2.0 mm和2.5 mm的有机玻璃。实验结果表明:晶体分辨图的均匀性和对边缘晶体的分辨能力随着光导厚度的增加而改善,但随着光导厚度的增加,晶体分辨图中每个晶体单元的斑点大小增加,整个晶体分辨图的动态范围缩小。光导的使用几乎不改变晶体能谱的全能峰峰位和能量分辨率。综合以上因素,确定最佳的光导厚度为1.5 mm,本结果可对使用晶体截面约为1 mm×1 mm的晶体阵列和单元大小为3 mm×3 mm的Si PM阵列研发小动物PET探测器提供重要参考作用。     

辐射成像关键技术探测器屏蔽箱的设计

辐射探测成像技术在无损探测领域占有重要地位,由于射线穿透不同材质、不同厚度物体时的吸收剂量不同,通过探测穿透射线的强度则可获得被探测物的特征图像。本研究利用256路探测晶体接收钴-60点源穿透被检测物的射线,经放大处理和图像合成后,形成二维图像。 钴-60点源发出的射线先经过源部前级准直,准直后成一窄束射线照射到运动的被检测物体后衰减,再经探测器前部的屏蔽箱体和屏蔽块进行准直后照射到射线接收晶体模块上,模块接收到规则信号,杂散信号受到屏蔽。 根据整体要求,提供256路探测晶体安放空间。所采用的探测晶体宽度尺寸为8 mm×8…     

Investigation of OPET Performance Using GATE, a Geant4-Based Simulation Software

A combined optical positron emission tomography (OPET) system is capable of both optical and PET imaging in the same setting, and it can provide information/interpretation not possible in single-mode imaging. The scintillator array here serves the dual function of coupling the optical signal from bioluminescence/fluorescence to the photodetector and also of channeling optical scintillations from the gamma rays. We report simulation results of the PET part of OPET using GATE, a Geant4 simulation package. The purpose of this investigation is the definition of the geometric parameters of the OPET tomograph. OPET is composed of six detector blocks arranged in a hexagonal ring-shaped pattern with an inner radius of 15.6 mm. Each detector consists of a two-dimensional array of 8 × 8 scintillator crystals each measuring 2 × 2 × 10 mm(3). Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the GATE software to measure absolute sensitivity, depth of interaction, and spatial resolution for two ring configurations, with and without gantry rotations, two crystal materials, and several crystal lengths. Images were reconstructed with filtered backprojection after angular interleaving and transverse one-dimensional interpolation of the sinogram. We report absolute sensitivities nearly seven times that of the prototype microPET at the center of field of view and 2.0 mm tangential and 2.3 mm radial resolutions with gantry rotations up to an 8.0 mm radial offset. These performance parameters indicate that the imaging spatial resolution and sensitivity of the OPET system will be suitable for high-resolution and high-sensitivity small-animal PET imaging.     

晶体表面特性对PET探测器性能的影响

<正>电子发射断层成像(Positron Emission Tomography,PET)作为最灵敏和具有定量测量能力的功能分子影像技术,越来越广泛地应用于生物医学研究,如疾病的动物模型、新药物的研发和新治疗方法的评估等。提高探测器的性能是改进PET仪器性能的关键,PET探测器通常由分割的闪烁晶体阵列和光探测器组成,文中使用位置灵敏光电倍增管和不同晶体表面特性的硅酸钇镥((Lu,Y)2Si O5,LYSO)晶体阵列,对新型的双端读出三维PET探测器和传统的单端读出二维PET探测器的性能进行了测量。实验结果表明,对于双端读出PET探测器,两种晶体阵列提供相近的晶体分辨图和能量分辨率,但非抛光晶体阵列提供好的深度分辨率,双端读出PET探测器需要使用表面不抛光的晶体阵列;对单端读出PET探测器,抛光晶体阵列提供好的晶体分布图和能量分辨率,单端读出PET探测器需要使用表面抛光的晶体阵列。     

Performance Characteristics of BGO Detectors for a Low Cost Preclinical PET Scanner

PETbox is a low-cost benchtop PET scanner dedicated to high throughput preclinical imaging that is currently under development at our institute. This paper presents the design and characterization of the detectors that are used in the PETbox system. In this work, bismuth germanate scintillator was used for the detector, taking advantage of its high stopping power, high photoelectric event fraction, lack of intrinsic background radiation and low cost. The detector block was segmented into a pixelated array consisting of 20 × 44 elements, with a crystal pitch of 2.2 mm and a crystal cross section of 2 mm × 2 mm. The effective area of the array was 44 mm × 96.8 mm. The array was coupled to two Hamamatsu H8500 position sensitive photomultiplier tubes, forming a flat-panel type detector head with a sensitive area large enough to cover the whole body of a typical laboratory mouse. Two such detector heads were constructed and their performance was characterized. For one detector head, the energy resolution ranged from 16.1% to 38.5% full width at half maximum (FWHM), with a mean of 20.1%; for the other detector head, the energy resolution ranged from 15.5% to 42.7% FWHM, with a mean of 19.6%. The intrinsic spatial resolution was measured to range from 1.55 mm to 2.39 mm FWHM along the detector short axis and from 1.48 mm to 2.33 mm FWHM along the detector long axis, with an average of 1.78 mm. Coincidence timing resolution for the detector pair was measured to be 4.1 ns FWHM. These measurement results show that the detectors are suitable for our specific application.     

GATE simulation based feasibility studies of in-beam PET monitoring in 12C beam cancer therapy

In comparison with conventional radiotherapy techniques,12C beam therapy has its significant advantage in cancer treatment because the radiation dose are mostly concentrated near the Bragg peak region and damage to normal tissues along the beam path is thus greatly reduced.In-beam PET provides a way to monitor dose distribution inside human body since several kinds of positron-emitting nuclei are produced through the interaction between 12C beam and body matters.In this work,we study the quantitative relationship between the spatial location of the Bragg peak and the spatial distribution of positrons produced by positron-emitting nuclei.Monte Carlo package GATE is used to simulate the interactions between the incident 12C beam of different energies (337.5,270.0 and 195.0 MeV/u) and various target matters (water,muscle and spine bone).Several data post-processing operations are performed on the simulated positron-emitting nuclei distribution data to mimic the impacts of positron generation and finite spatial resolution of a typical PET imaging system.Simulation results are compared to published experimental data for verification.In all the simulation cases,we fred that 10C and 11C are two dominant positron-emitting nuclei,and there exists a significant correlation between the spatial distributions of deposited energy and positrons.Therefore,we conclude that it is possible to determine the location of Bragg peak with 1 mm accuracy using current PET imaging systems by detecting the falling edge of the positron distribution map in depth direction.     

Optimization Design of Crystal Thickness Combination for Dual-layer-offset DOI Detector for Brain PET

Dual-layer-offset crystal array is a low cost and simple scheme for positron emission tomography (PET) system to achieve depth of interaction (DOI) information. Different thickness combinations of two layer crystals influence system performances. Monte Carlo simulations using GATE toolkit were implemented to optimize the design by evaluating the performances of the system with different thickness combinations in this study. Eleven magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible brain PET inserted systems with an inner diameter of 345 mm, dual layer LYSO of 20 mm total thickness and inner layer thickness varied from 0 mm to 10 mm with a step size of 1 mm were built. Six point sources in the x-axis of the center slice from x=0 cm to x=10 cm with an interval of 2 cm were simulated. The sensitivity at the center was calculated and the radial resolutions were evaluated using the reconstructed points by the filtered back projection algorithm. The results show that dual-layer crystal design has a slight sensitivity decrease, but can significantly improve the radial spatial resolution and the resolution uniformity compared with the single-layer design. With the thickness increase of the inner crystal, the average radial spatial resolution decreases and then increases, and achieves minimal at inner layer with a thickness of 8 mm. In conclusion, 8 mm in the inner layer and 12 mm in the outer layer is the optimal design for the brain PET system with 20 mm dual-layer-offset crystal proposed in this study.     

基于三维正交条形碲锌镉探测器的DOI-PET显像研究

为对511 keV伽马光子进行三维定位,提高PET显像性能,研制一种尺寸为16.4 mm×16.4 mm×5 mm正交条形碲锌镉（CZT）探测器,并测试其PET显像性能。在32个电极读出后均采用电荷灵敏前置放大器和滤波放大模块,输入高速模数转换器对数据进行采样,得到探测器中信号的全脉冲形状,并利用模拟数字转换器（ADC）内置可编程门列阵（FPGA）对信号进行在线处理,对信号完成寻峰、滤波等数字化处理。结果表明,该碲锌镉探测器对511 keV伽玛光子的能量分辨率为6.35%,通过对碲锌镉探测器的电极结构分析得出了一套伽马光子相互作用的三维位置坐标计算公式,可以达到亚毫米位置分辨率,实现了碲锌镉探测器三维显像功能。