Monte Carlo simulation of the basic features of the GE Millennium MG single photon emission computed tomography gamma camera

Abstract

Objective To describe and validate the simulation of the basic features of GE Millennium MG gamma camera using the GATE Monte Carlo platform.

Development and validation of a full model of a four-headed neuroimaging single-photon emission computed tomography scanner

“…Both the simulated energy and planar spatial resolutions were found to show close agreement. Sensitivity measurements were less well matched, however, GATE has been known to overestimate the sensitivity values because the models often do not account for the dead spaces between PMTs 16. The number of counts, and therefore the sensitivity, detected on head 3 was higher than head 1 because the sensitivity phantom stilts were placed on head 3 and so the source was slightly closer to it than head 1.…”

“…As the GATE simulation detects the γ photons interacting with the crystal directly, we did not have to create a model for the light guide, the 60 PMTs and the electronics at the back of the detector head. Instead, we filled the remaining area of the detector head (between the crystal and the shielding) with a single block of glass, as used by Vieira et al 16. This approach is deemed suitable for low-energy applications as it accounts for the scatter from the back-compartment whilst providing similar results to a more detailed model 26.…”

“…Similarly, Myronakis et al 15 used GATE simulations as part of an attempt to find the optimal pixel size and thickness for a cadmium zinc telluride semiconductor detector operating over the range of low-energy SPECT up to the 511 keV PET energy. Finally, two publications by Vieira et al 16,17 showed a clinical utility using validated GATE models. The first publication by Vieira et al 16, describes the model validation for a GE Millennium MG SPECT gamma camera using GATE.…”

“…Finally, two publications by Vieira et al 16,17 showed a clinical utility using validated GATE models. The first publication by Vieira et al 16, describes the model validation for a GE Millennium MG SPECT gamma camera using GATE. Following this work, Vieira and colleagues then aimed to use the validated model to determine whether differing radiopharmaceutical activity levels and therefore the number of counts/pixel and total counts per simulation, in a gated-SPECT acquisition would alter the estimates of myocardial function 17.…”

Monte Carlo simulation and performance assessment of GE Discovery 690 VCT positron emission tomography/computed tomography scanner

“…Similar studies have been carried out on SPECT scanners. [23][24][25] Such studies have been occasionally conducted on multimodality scanners including PET/magnetic resonance [26] and PET/SPECT/CT. [27] In the present study, the GATE simulation code was used for performance assessment and validation of the GE Discovery PET/CT 690 VCT scanner.…”