Introduction

State-of-the-art PET systems require cables to acquire and synchronize data from positron-electron annihilation emissions. These cables can introduce problems of bulk and electromagnetic compatibility. The invention solves these problems by means of a new data synchronization system based on SoC-FPGA devices and GPS-like time calibration algorithms.

Technical features

Four or more transmitters are located at known points in the room that houses the PET system and are synchronized with each other by cable. The transmitters emit a synchronization signal, received from the PET detectors, which compute their position starting from the space-time relations between the timestamps, the reception times of the various signals and the positions of each transmitter. This position is used to refine the accuracy of the timestamp as required for the PET application in question. The algorithm for calculating the position and timestamp is analogous to that used in GPS satellite navigation systems and can be performed in the same programmable device that manages the discrimination of the photon detection peak or in any case in an integrated device mounted on the same electronic board which houses photodetectors and discrimination circuits.

Possible Applications

• Integrated PET / MRI systems for broad-spectrum molecular imaging;
• High-sensitivity total-body PET systems;
• Mobile / variable geometry PET systems;
• Monitoring of treatment outcome in patients;
• Real-time monitoring and control of the range of charged particles in patients.

Advantages

• Simplification of the synchronization tree;
• Automatic control of the position of the detectors;
• Compatibility with new generation decentralized acquisition systems;
• Lower production costs;
• Less space and weight of the detectors.