Integrated CT-SPECT system for small animal imaging

摘要

We are developing a scanner for simultaneous acquisition of x-ray computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) images of small animals such as mice and rats. The scanner uses a cone beam geometry for both the x-ray transmission and gamma emission projections by using an area x-ray detector and pinhole collimator, respectively. The CT and SPECT data sets are overlaid to form a coregistered structural-functional 3D image. The CT system includes a single CCD-based x-ray detector and a microfocus x-ray source. The SPECT scanner utilizes tungsten pinhole collimators and arrays of CsI(Tl) scintillation detectors. We describe design considerations and the early performance of a prototype scanner.