Research Of Multifunctional Breast Imaging Technology

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women, but it may be easier to treat if cancer can be found at an early stage. Earlier diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce mortality from breast cancer. Molecular imaging, which is thought to be the breakthrough of conventional breast cancer detection bottleneck, may detect the early onset of malignant tumors before it is evident on other structural imaging tests and has been an international research focus in the field of nuclear medicine imaging.The aim of this paper is to research multifunctional breast imaging technology. To improve utilization efficiency of current single function equipment, a flat panel detector which can be used for either PET imaging or gamma camera imaging is expected to be implemented based on our research. Detector modules based on Photomultiplier tube(PMT) and Silicon Photomultiplier(SiPM) are respectively evaluated for multifunctional imaging.The results show that detector module based on SensL C-30035 SiPM has optimal performs. The detector module has a position resolution of 1.9mm, an average energy resolution of 11.57% and a coincidence timing resolution of 1.42 ns using gamma rays of 511keV(PET conditions). The detector module has an explicit flood histogram and an average energy resolution of 21.31% using gamma rays of 140 ke V(SPECT conditions). The above results show that the detector module performance meets the needs of both PET and SPECT imaging.On the basis of researches above, a large area flat panel detector is designed and implemented. Modular design of separated active and passive circuits efficiently avoids the interferential influence of the active circuits to SiPM detector, as well as improves the reliability and maintainability of the detector system.