Performance Estimation for the High Resolution CaLIPSO Brain PET Scanner: A Simulation Study

Abstract

The foreseen CaLIPSO positron emission tomography (PET) scanner is dedicated to brain imaging. With its new detection technology, it is expected to yield simultaneously a fine spatial resolution of about 1 mm3, and a low image noise thanks to a time-of-flight with coincidence resolving time of about 150 ps. In this paper, we present the results of GATE Monte Carlo simulations of the full CaLIPSO PET scanner with a “cube” geometry. The estimated sensitivity, noise equivalent count rates, and spatial resolution are reported and compared to three real PET scanners dedicated to brain studies: 1) the high-resolution research tomograph by Siemens; 2) the NeuroPET/CT by Photo Diagnostic Systems, Inc.; and 3) the high resolution brain PET with a depth of interaction scanner by Hamamatsu. The results demonstrate the high potential of the CaLIPSO PET scanner for brain imaging where the combination of high spatial resolution and low image noise is essential.