Development and validation of a simulation model for the design of a PET scanner

The authors have developed a model to simulate the function of a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. It can be used both to determine the effects of different design parameters on the performance of a PET scanner and to aid in the design and performance evaluation of a specific scanner design. The model incorporated the characteristics of the source, collimators, γ-ray detectors, and coincidence detection circuitry. The validation of the model is performed by comparing the results of the simulations to experimentally measured data from commercially available scanners. The Scanditronix PC2048-15B scanner was simulated, and the simulation results are compared with actual measurements. The preliminary simulation results are found to be in fair agreement with the measured data