Coincidence imaging with monolithic detector blocks for a human brain PET scanner

We have evaluated the coincidence imaging performance of a monolithic detector block design for a human brain PET scanner by implementing a demonstrator based on two detector blocks. Each detector is composed of a monolithic LYSO:Ce scintillator coupled to a pair of Hamamatsu S8550-02 APD arrays with custom ASIC readout electronics. Results show that this design is suitable for our application and that images of point sources can be obtained with spatial resolutions as good as 2.4 mm FWHM for SSRB+FBP reconstruction. Based on this demonstrator, we are developing a PET insert for existing MRI equipment, to be installed in a collaborating hospital and used for clinical PET-MRI of the human brain.