The role of Monte Carlo transport simulations in the new design of a small scintigraphic detector

The development of a scintigraphic imager is a time-consuming, high-cost interdisciplinary task. Aim of this work is to illustrate the role of Monte Carlo Nuclear Particle (MCNP) transport code in the development of an intra-operative Imaging Probe (IP). A MCNP transport model was used to test some improvement hypotheses regarding collimation and scintillating crystal. On the basis of the simulation outcome, an improved imager prototype was built and preliminary tested. Experimental results were compared with simulation predictions showing a good agreement. These results encourage us to continue the development of a more complex model to be used as “ideal observer” for the imaging probe performance evaluations.