Development of high-resolution PET probe (J7-9795)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) a well established imaging modality in modern medical diagnostics that, among others, enables good separation of healthy and cancer tissue. Limited spatial resolution of the existing PET apparata is, however, not sufficient for an adequate determination of the stage of the disease and distribution of the cancer tissue in some types of cancer, e.g. prostate cancer.

As a possible solution we are proposing a construction of an additional high-resolution probe that could be placed to the near proximity of the imaged tissue. Such system would provide both classical events where both annihilation photons are detected in the PET ring as well as high-resolution events where one of the photons would hit the probe and the other the surrounding ring. Image reconstruction software adequately taking into account both types of events could provide diagnostic image with significantly improved resolution, leading to improved clinical determination of the disease and better treatment control.

In the project we are proposing to focus on a specific case of a probe for prostate imaging. For the first phase we are planning verification of the proposed concept using computer simulations and determination of requirements for the PET probe. The second phase would be dedicated to the evaluation of the available detector technologies with the emphasis on silicon position sensitive detectors and combination of scintillators (BGO or LSO) coupled to advanced photodetectors (avalanche photodiodes or silicon photomultipliers). Upon successful completion of the initial phases the third phase of the project would be dedicated to construction of the PET probe prototype and its evaluation.