Characterization of micro-SPECT system based on Timepix detector

TL;DR

This paper evaluates a prototype micro-SPECT system using a Timepix detector, focusing on its imaging characteristics for preclinical small animal studies, and develops specialized phantoms for system assessment.

Contribution

It introduces a novel micro-SPECT system based on Timepix technology and adapts testing protocols for high-resolution semiconductor detectors.

Findings

High spatial resolution achieved

Effective contrast and linearity demonstrated

System efficiency characterized

Abstract

In this work, the characteristics of a prototype SPECT system based on the Timepix readout chip, with a MURA type encoding mask, were evaluated. The set-up has a small field of view and can be used in preclinical studies of drugs in small laboratory animals. Despite many existing test protocols developed and described in pertinent documents of national standard bodies and IAEA recommendation, they are not suitable for microtomographic systems based on semiconductor pixel detectors due to different detector technology, high spatial resolution and small area of interest. To measure their characteristics, special phantoms were developed, with a small "hot~region". Such micro-SPECT parameters as spatial resolution, contrast, linearity and system efficiency were studied using Tc-99m source. The detector calibration and data preprocessing are described.