Study of the feasibility of a compact gamma camera for real-time cancer assessment

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the feasibility of a compact Compton gamma camera using simulations to enable real-time cancer imaging, focusing on detector configurations and performance metrics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel compact gamma camera design with monolithic scintillation crystals and assesses its real-time imaging capabilities through detailed simulations.

Findings

Simulations show potential for real-time imaging with optimized detector setups.

Monolithic crystals reduce dead areas compared to pixelated crystals.

Performance metrics indicate feasible acquisition times for clinical use.

Abstract

Results from the simulations of a Compton gamma camera based on compact configuration of detectors consisting in two detection modules, each of them having two stages of high-resolution position- and energy-sensitive radiation detectors operated in time-coincidence are presented. Monolithic scintillation crystals instead of pixelated crystals in order to reduce dead areas have been simulated. In order to study the system feasibility to produce real-time images, different setups are considered. Performance in terms of acquisition times have been calculated to determine the real-time capabilities and limitations of such a system.