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Evaluation of detector material and radiation source position on Compton camera’s ability for multitracer imaging

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Abstract

We present a study on the effects of detector material, radionuclide source and source position on the Compton camera aimed at realistic characterization of the camera’s performance in multitracer imaging as it relates to brain imaging. The GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation software was used to model the physics of radiation transport and interactions with matter. Silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) detectors were evaluated for the scatterer, and cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) and cerium-doped lanthanum bromide (LaBr3:Ce) were considered for the absorber. Image quality analyses suggest that the use of Si as the scatterer and CZT as the absorber would be preferred. Nevertheless, two simulated Compton camera models (Si/CZT and Si/LaBr3:Ce Compton cameras) that are considered in this study demonstrated good capabilities for multitracer imaging in that four radiotracers within the nuclear medicine energy range are clearly visualized by the cameras. It is found however that beyond a range difference of about 2 cm for 113mIn and 18F radiotracers in a brain phantom, there may be a need to rotate the Compton camera for efficient brain imaging.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Waikato under account code: 01-A6-SF50-RG-PS13-F857.

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  1. School of Engineering, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand

    C. Z. Uche, W. H. Round & M. J. Cree

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  1. C. Z. Uche
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  2. W. H. Round
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  3. M. J. Cree
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Correspondence to W. H. Round.

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Uche, C.Z., Round, W.H. & Cree, M.J. Evaluation of detector material and radiation source position on Compton camera’s ability for multitracer imaging. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 35, 357–364 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-012-0150-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-012-0150-4

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