PET Timing Performance Measurement Method Using NEMA NEC Phantom

Wang, Gin-Chung; Li, Xiaoli; Du, Heng; Balakrishnan, Karthik; Niu, Xiaofeng; Kolthammer, Jeffrey; Burr, K.C.

doi:10.1109/tns.2016.2522766

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Spatial Resolution. NEMA NU 2-2012 specifies using a 18 F-FDG point source smaller than 1 • 1 • 1 mm. However, for measuring the spatial resolution on the Vision with smaller crystals, a smaller point source could improve test results (14).…”

Section: Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Timing Resolution. The TOF resolution was calculated using the acquired scatter data used for NECR performance, according to a new proposed method (11,18). The timing resolution was calculated as the FWHM of the time distribution of events, after correction for scatter, randoms, and the position of the line source.…”

Section: Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the mean positron range of 22 Na and 18 F-FDG is similar (26), the difference in spatial resolution measurement can be attributed to the source dimension. Preparing a small source with 18 F-FDG is challenging; therefore, the NEMA NU 2-2018 recommends purchasing a 22 Na source to measure the spatial resolution. Hence, we also used the 22 Na point source in our experiments.…”

Section: Nema Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Performance Characteristics of the Digital Biograph Vision PET/CT System

et al. 2019

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This study evaluated the performance of the Biograph Vision digital PET/CT system according to the NEMA NU 2-2012 standard (published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association [NEMA]) to allow for a reliable, reproducible, and intersystemcomparable performance measurement. Methods: The new digital PET/CT system features silicon photomultiplier-based detectors with 3.2-mm lutetium oxyorthosilicate crystals and full coverage of the scintillator area. The PET components incorporate 8 rings of 38 detector blocks, and each block contains 4 • 2 mini blocks. Each mini block consists of a 5 • 5 lutetium oxyorthosilicate array of 3.2 • 3.2 • 20 mm crystals coupled to a silicon photomultiplier array of 16 • 16 mm, resulting in an axial field of view of 26.1 cm. In this study, PET/CT system performance was evaluated for conformation with the NEMA NU 2-2012 standard, with additional measurements described in the new NEMA NU 2-2018 standard. Spatial resolution, sensitivity, count-rate performance, accuracy of attenuation and scatter correction, image quality, coregistration accuracy, and time-of-flight performance were determined. Measurements were directly compared with results from its predecessor, the Biograph mCT Flow, using existing literature. Moreover, feasibility to comply with the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Research Ltd. (EARL) criteria was evaluated, and some illustrative patient PET images were obtained. Results: The Biograph Vision showed a transverse and axial spatial resolution of 3.6 and 3.5 mm, respectively, in full width at half maximum at a 1-cm offset from the center of the field of view (measured with a 22 Na 0.25-mm point source), a NEMA sensitivity of 16.4 kcps/MBq, and a NEMA peak noise-equivalent count-rate of 306 kcps at 32 kBq/mL. Time-of-flight resolution varied from 210 to 215 as count-rate increased up to the peak noise-equivalent count-rate. The overall image contrast seen with the NEMA image quality phantom ranged from 77.2% to 89.8%. Furthermore, the system was able to comply with the current and future EARL performance criteria. Conclusion: The Biograph Vision outperforms the analog Biograph mCT Flow, and the system is able to meet European harmonizing performance standards.

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Section: Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Nema Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Performance Characteristics of the Digital Biograph Vision PET/CT System

et al. 2019

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“…Therefore, the vendor's NEMA evaluation tools implemented in the Vereos PET/CT system had to be used. Further, the PET raw data would enable additional evaluations, such as assessment of the dependency of the timing resolution on the count rate from the performance measurements (34). Thus, we recommend the implementation of a raw data export function in the standard software.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Evaluation of the Vereos PET/CT System According to the NEMA NU2-2012 Standard

et al. 2018

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical performance of the Vereos whole-body PET/CT system according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU2-2012 standard and to compare it with other state-of-the-art PET/CT systems. Methods: Spatial resolution, sensitivity, count-rate performance, count rate accuracy, and image quality were assessed. Specifically, spatial resolution was measured using an 18 F point-source. System sensitivity was calculated from acquisitions of an 18 F line source inside aluminum tubes of varying thickness. Assessment of count rate performance and count rate accuracy was based on measurements of an 18 F line source inside a 20-cm-diameter polyethylene cylinder. PET image quality was assessed using a NEMA IQ phantom. All measurements were performed according to the predefined and implemented NEMA NU2-2012 acquisition protocols at a clinical installation of a Vereos PET/CT system. Evaluation was performed using the software provided by the vendor. Results: The average (radial and tangential) transverse spatial resolution was 4.2, 4.5, and 5.5 mm in full width at half maximum for a 1-, 10-, and 20-cm radial offset, respectively, from the center of the field of view. Axial spatial resolution varied between 4.2 and 4.6 mm in full width at half maximum, depending on the radial source position. The average sensitivity was 5.2 cps/kBq. A peak noise-equivalent count (NEC) rate of 153.4 kcps was measured at an activity concentration of 54.9 kBq/mL. The scatter fraction at peak NEC rate was 33.9%, and the maximum count rate error at and below peak NEC rate was 6.8%. Contrast recovery coefficients varied from 54.3% (10-mm sphere) to 83.9% (22-mm sphere) for the hot spheres, and between 81.4% (28-mm sphere) and 87% (37-mm sphere) for the cold spheres for a given sphere-to-background ratio of 4:1. Conclusion: The overall performance characteristics of the Vereos PET/CT system are comparable to state-of-the-art wholebody PET/CT systems with the exception that the peak NEC rate occurs at a higher activity concentration, thus indicating the ability of the Vereos PET/CT system to cover a wider range of activities.

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“…TOF resolution was determined for increasing count rates with the FWHM of the timing error histogram computed from the listmode data. This method is based on the work of Wang et al [51] and was recently added to the NEMA NU 2-2018 [6]. There are two main differences compared to the daily quality control procedure, which uses a point source of 22 Na.…”

Section: Tof and Energy Resolutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monte Carlo simulation of digital photon counting PET

et al. 2020

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A GATE Monte Carlo model of the Philips Vereos digital photon counting PET imaging system using silicon photo-multiplier detectors was proposed. It was evaluated against experimental data in accordance with NEMA guidelines. Comparisons were performed using listmode data in order to remain independent of image reconstruction algorithms. An original line of response-based method is proposed to estimate intrinsic spatial resolution without reconstruction. Four sets of experiments were performed: (1) count rates and scatter fraction, (2) energy and timing resolutions, (3) sensitivity, and (4) intrinsic spatial resolution. Experimental and simulated data were found to be in good agreement, with overall differences lower than 10% for activity concentrations used in most standard clinical applications. Illustrative image reconstructions were provided. In conclusion, the proposed Monte Carlo model was validated and can be used for numerous studies such as optimizing acquisition parameters or reconstruction algorithms.

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PET Timing Performance Measurement Method Using NEMA NEC Phantom

Cited by 17 publications

References 5 publications

Performance Characteristics of the Digital Biograph Vision PET/CT System

Performance Characteristics of the Digital Biograph Vision PET/CT System

Performance Evaluation of the Vereos PET/CT System According to the NEMA NU2-2012 Standard

Monte Carlo simulation of digital photon counting PET

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