Development of GATE Monte Carlo simulation for a dual-head gamma camera

Abstract

GATE is a simulation code which is based on the Geant4 Monte Carlo code. This code was developed for simulation of nuclear medicine imaging systems. Our aim in this study was to use and validate GATE for simulating a Siemens E.Cam gamma camera. A dual-head gamma camera was used for modeling with GATE. Each head consisted of a collimator, aluminum layer, crystal, and head shielding. The back compartment consisted of photomultiplier tubes and electronic circuits behind the crystal. The photoelectric effect and Compton and Rayleigh scatter were included in the gamma transport process. The simulation validity was examined by comparison of measured parameters with calculated data including the energy spectrum, energy, spatial resolution, and sensitivity. To evaluate the imaging system, we compared the simulated and experimental images of a phantom. The simulated and measured energy spectra agreed well with regard to the position and height of the photopeak at 140 keV. The FWHMs at 140 keV were calculated to be equal to 14.10 and 13.37 keV, respectively. The energy resolutions were 10.07 and 9.55%, and the sensitivities were 8.68 × 10(-5) and 8.69 × 10(-5) cps/MBq, respectively, for the simulated and measured results. The spatial resolution and imaging tests for a point, line, and node phantom showed good agreement between the simulated and measured results. Overall, the results showed good agreement between the measured and the simulated data. There was also excellent agreement between computational and actual images. This study demonstrated the flexibility and accuracy of GATE in SPECT simulation.

A Monte Carlo Simulation Study of Optimization for Collimator in a Pixelated SPECT Camera

“…There are also always some minor differences in the composition, thickness, and dimensions of the actual components of the systems to be simulated with parameters provided by the manufacturers. Also, digitizer and readout parameters can affect the simulated results [19]. However, the electromagnetic physical processes are correctly modeled within GEANT4, hence that GATE is reliable from this point of view.…”

Capabilities of the Monte Carlo Simulation Codes for Modeling of a Small Animal SPECT Camera

“…This simulation toolkit provides flexibility and simplicity in defining an input for simulating a complex geometry of both SPECT and PET cameras. The most important property of GATE is the ability to simulate time-dependent phenomena such as source decay, dynamic acquisitions, and movement components of the gamma [16][17][18]. Figure 5 illustrates a 3D model of the HiReSPECT system simulated in the GATE environment.…”

Development and validation of a full model of a four-headed neuroimaging single-photon emission computed tomography scanner

“…The GE DST-Xli was also investigated in high energy radioisotope simulations, alongside the GE Millennium VG scanner (GE) 10. A more recent study by Momennezhad et al 11 reported the development of a dual-headed Siemens E.Cam gamma camera system using GATE.…”