Simulation studies for PET imaging with non-pure positron emitters

In a typical PET measurement pure short-lived positron emitters are common. Imaging with non-pure emitters is complicated by a low beta⁺-abundance and additional gamma-radiation. In these cases the image quality is deteriorated by additional false coincidences, and standard correction procedures (dead-time, randoms and scatter) are less adequate. The development and validation of optimized correction procedures is therefore essential for quantitative imaging with non-pure beta⁺-emitters. To gain insight into the factors influencing imaging of non-pure beta⁺-emitters a simulation program has been developed based on GATE/GEANT4. The modelled PET scanner is an ECAT EXACT HR+. The simulation comprises all physical processes from the beta-decay to the photon interaction within tissue or phantom and the detector crystals, as well as a description of electronic components and the standard output data formats. The simulated sinograms can be processed with the same tools for correction and reconstruction as real sinograms