Timing calibration for time-of-flight PET using positron-emitting isotopes and annihilation targets

Adding time-of-flight (TOF) technology has been proved to improve the image quality in PET. In order for TOF information to significantly reduce the statistical noise in reconstructed PET images, good timing resolution is needed across the scanner field of view (FOV). This work proposes an accurate, robust and practical crystal-based timing calibration method using FDG positron-emitting sources together with a spatially separated annihilation target. We calibrated a prototype Toshiba TOF PET scanner using this method and then assessed its timing resolution at different locations in the scanner FOV.