Novel lead-walled straw PET detector for specialized imaging applications

This project pursues development of PET cameras for specialized imaging applications such as small animal and breast imaging through a novel approach using low-cost, lead walled straw (LWS) modules. A 50 cmtimes4.4 cmtimes1.9 cm LWS module has been developed which operates at high singles rates, achieves 3.3 mm longitudinal resolution, and implements full 3D position decoding with inexpensive efficient electronics. The long linear module geometry together with full 3D position decoding affords use of a novel PET detector geometry consisting of two closely spaced long modules essentially in contact with the imaged object. This unique geometry provides efficiency through coverage of a very large solid angle and also a very large longitudinal field of view using a small number of coincidence modules