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Hoffmann JV, Janssen JP, Kanno T, Shibutani T, Onoguchi M, Lapa C, Grunz JP, Buck AK, Higuchi T. Performance evaluation of fifth-generation ultra-high-resolution SPECT system with two stationary detectors and multi-pinhole imaging. EJNMMI Phys 2020; 7:64. [PMID: 33140263 PMCID: PMC7606439 DOI: 10.1186/s40658-020-00335-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Small-animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) systems with multi-pinhole collimation and large stationary detectors have advantages compared to systems with moving small detectors. These systems benefit from less labour-intensive maintenance and quality control as fewer prone parts are moving, higher accuracy for focused scans and maintaining high resolution with increased sensitivity due to focused pinholes on the field of view. This study aims to investigate the performance of a novel ultra-high-resolution scanner with two-detector configuration (U-SPECT5-E) and to compare its image quality to a conventional micro-SPECT system with three stationary detectors (U-SPECT+). Methods The new U-SPECT5-E with two stationary detectors was used for acquiring data with 99mTc-filled point source, hot-rod and uniformity phantoms to analyse sensitivity, spatial resolution, uniformity and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Three dedicated multi-pinhole mouse collimators with 75 pinholes each and 0.25-, 0.60- and 1.00-mm pinholes for extra ultra-high resolution (XUHR-M), general-purpose (GP-M) and ultra-high sensitivity (UHS-M) imaging were examined. For CNR analysis, four different activity ranges representing low- and high-count settings were investigated for all three collimators. The experiments for the performance assessment were repeated with the same GP-M collimator in the three-detector U-SPECT+ for comparison. Results Peak sensitivity was 237 cps/MBq (XUHR-M), 847 cps/MBq (GP-M), 2054 cps/MBq (UHS-M) for U-SPECT5-E and 1710 cps/MBq (GP-M) for U-SPECT+. In the visually analysed sections of the reconstructed mini Derenzo phantoms, rods as small as 0.35 mm (XUHR-M), 0.50 mm (GP-M) for the two-detector as well as the three-detector SPECT and 0.75 mm (UHS-M) were resolved. Uniformity for maximum resolution recorded 40.7% (XUHR-M), 29.1% (GP-M, U-SPECT5-E), 16.3% (GP-M, U-SPECT+) and 23.0% (UHS-M), respectively. UHS-M reached highest CNR values for low-count images; for rods smaller than 0.45 mm, acceptable CNR was only achieved by XUHR-M. GP-M was superior for imaging rods sized from 0.60 to 1.50 mm for intermediate activity concentrations. U-SPECT5-E and U-SPECT+ both provided comparable CNR. Conclusions While uniformity and sensitivity are negatively affected by the absence of a third detector, the investigated U-SPECT5-E system with two stationary detectors delivers excellent spatial resolution and CNR comparable to the performance of an established three-detector-setup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan V Hoffmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jan P Janssen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Takayuki Kanno
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Quantum Medical Technology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Shibutani
- Department of Quantum Medical Technology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Masahisa Onoguchi
- Department of Quantum Medical Technology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Constantin Lapa
- Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Grunz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas K Buck
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Takahiro Higuchi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Strasse 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany. .,Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. .,Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
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Xie T, Zaidi H. Development of computational small animal models and their applications in preclinical imaging and therapy research. Med Phys 2016; 43:111. [PMID: 26745904 DOI: 10.1118/1.4937598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of multimodality preclinical imaging techniques and the rapid growth of realistic computer simulation tools have promoted the construction and application of computational laboratory animal models in preclinical research. Since the early 1990s, over 120 realistic computational animal models have been reported in the literature and used as surrogates to characterize the anatomy of actual animals for the simulation of preclinical studies involving the use of bioluminescence tomography, fluorescence molecular tomography, positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, microcomputed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and optical imaging. Other applications include electromagnetic field simulation, ionizing and nonionizing radiation dosimetry, and the development and evaluation of new methodologies for multimodality image coregistration, segmentation, and reconstruction of small animal images. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the history and fundamental technologies used for the development of computational small animal models with a particular focus on their application in preclinical imaging as well as nonionizing and ionizing radiation dosimetry calculations. An overview of the overall process involved in the design of these models, including the fundamental elements used for the construction of different types of computational models, the identification of original anatomical data, the simulation tools used for solving various computational problems, and the applications of computational animal models in preclinical research. The authors also analyze the characteristics of categories of computational models (stylized, voxel-based, and boundary representation) and discuss the technical challenges faced at the present time as well as research needs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianwu Xie
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva 4 CH-1211, Switzerland
| | - Habib Zaidi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva 4 CH-1211, Switzerland; Geneva Neuroscience Center, Geneva University, Geneva CH-1205, Switzerland; and Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands
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Van Holen R, Vandeghinste B, Deprez K, Vandenberghe S. Design and performance of a compact and stationary microSPECT system. Med Phys 2014; 40:112501. [PMID: 24320460 DOI: 10.1118/1.4822621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Over the last ten years, there has been an extensive growth in the development of microSPECT imagers. Most of the systems are based on the combination of conventional, relatively large gamma cameras with poor intrinsic spatial resolution and multipinhole collimators working in large magnification mode. Spatial resolutions range from 0.58 to 0.76 mm while peak sensitivities vary from 0.06% to 0.4%. While pushing the limits of performance is of major importance, the authors believe that there is a need for smaller and less complex systems that bring along a reduced cost. While low footprint and low-cost systems can make microSPECT available to more researchers, the ease of operation and calibration and low maintenance cost are additional factors that can facilitate the use of microSPECT in molecular imaging. In this paper, the authors simulate the performance of a microSPECT imager that combines high space-bandwidth detectors and pinholes with truncated projection, resulting in a small and stationary system. METHODS A system optimization algorithm is used to determine the optimal SPECT systems, given our high resolutions detectors and a fixed field-of-view. These optimal system geometries are then used to simulate a Defrise disk phantom and a hot rod phantom. Finally, a MOBY mouse phantom, with realistic concentrations of Tc99m-tetrofosmin is simulated. RESULTS Results show that the authors can successfully reconstruct a Defrise disk phantom of 24 mm in diameter without any rotating system components or translation of the object. Reconstructed spatial resolution is approximately 800 μm while the peak sensitivity is 0.23%. Finally, the simulation of the MOBY mouse phantom shows that the authors can accurately reconstruct mouse images. CONCLUSIONS These results show that pinholes with truncated projections can be used in small magnification or minification mode to obtain a compact and stationary microSPECT system. The authors showed that they can reach state-of-the-art system performance and can successfully reconstruct images with realistic noise levels in a preclinical context. Such a system can be useful for dynamic SPECT imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roel Van Holen
- ELIS Department, MEDISIP, Ghent University, iMinds, De Pintelaan 185 block B, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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