title: Reconstruction of two- and three-dimensional images from synthetic-collimator data.
abstract: A novel SPECT collimation method, termed the synthetic collimator, is proposed. The synthetic collimator employs a multiple-pinhole aperture and a high-resolution detector. The problem of multiplexing, normally associated with multiple pinholes, is reduced by obtaining projections at a number of pinhole-detector distances. Projections with little multiplexing are collected at small pinhole-detector distances and high-resolution projections are collected at greater pinhole-detector distances. These projections are then reconstructed using the ML-EM algorithm. It is demonstrated through computer simulations that the synthetic collimator has superior resolution properties to a high-resolution parallel-beam (HRPB) collimator and a specially built ultra-high-resolution parallel-beam (UHRPB) collimator designed for our 0.38-mm pixel CdZnTe detectors. It is also shown that reconstructing images in three dimensions is superior to reconstructing them in two dimensions. The advantages of a high-resolution synthetic collimator over the parallel-hole collimators are apparently reduced in the presence of statistical noise. However, a high-sensitivity synthetic collimator was designed which again shows superior properties to the parallel-hole collimators. Finally, it is demonstrated that, for the cases studied, high-resolution detectors are necessary for the proper functionality of the synthetic collimator.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona, Department of Radiology, Tucson 85724, USA.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Clarkson
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016011:Normal Distribution; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*