3D reconstruction for 2D PET

A 3D reconstruction method originally developed by us for 3D PET scanners has been implemented for data obtained with a 2D scanner. The scanner consists of 4 detector rings and gives 7 simultaneous planes including cross-planes. The axial sampling is improved by moving the patient couch. This gives a smaller plane separation, but there will be cross-talk between the planes. The axial response profile for each direct plane is fairly independent of the transaxial position, but it varies dramatically for the cross-planes. Our 3D reconstruction method is based on 1D deconvolution of a position dependent axial spread function and 2D reconstruction of transaxial planes. Evaluations have been made with Monte Carlo simulations and phantom studies. 3D reconstruction gives an improved axial resolution at the cost of an increased noise level.