SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)
SPECT is a imaging technique that uses a gamma camera to take multiple views of a patient that has been administered a radionucliede tracer. Tomographic reconstruction techniques are then used to provide 3D information on the distribution of the tracer. This functional data can be used in a wide variety of medical diagnoses and studies.
Traditionally, the gamma cameras used in SPECT were based on the Anger camera: a slab of NaI(Tl) scintillator coupled to a hexagonal array of PMT detectors. High performance SiPM sensors are now widely available that overcome many of the limitations of PMTs, e.g. low bias voltage, compact and rugged, and with higher detection efficiencies. In particular, SiPM sensors from SensL have the additional advantage of market-leading uniformity, and the highest fill-factor package for creating close-packed arrays. These factors combined allow for a SPECT system with the highest spatial and energy resolution and highest uniformity, allowing for a simpler calibration.
This page gives details of recommended products, some related academic papers and some SensL tech notes that may aid a user interested in SPECT applications.
