Abstract: The application provides a three-dimensionally heterogeneous PET system comprising at least two heterogeneous detector modules, each comprising at least two kinds of crystal strips closely arranged to form different detection performances levels for different kinds of crystal strips and same detection performances levels for same kind of crystal strips. Parameters of detection performances of crystal strips comprise energy resolution, density, size and light output, wherein different detection performances levels for crystal strips comprise one or more of parameters of detection performances of crystal strips being in different levels. Compared with a high spatial resolution PET system, the application effectively reduces manufacturing costs of a PET system without significantly reducing spatial resolution thereof.

Abstract: The application provides a three-dimensionally heterogeneous PET system comprising at least two heterogeneous detector modules, each comprising at least two kinds of crystal strips closely arranged to form different detection performances levels for different kinds of crystal strips and same detection performances levels for same kind of crystal strips. Parameters of detection performances of crystal strips comprise energy resolution, density, size and light output, wherein different detection performances levels for crystal strips comprise one or more of parameters of detection performances of crystal strips being in different levels. Compared with a high spatial resolution PET system, the application effectively reduces manufacturing costs of a PET system without significantly reducing spatial resolution thereof.

Abstract: A channel multiplexing method for reading out a detector signal is provided, including steps: grouping L detectors to form a first source signal and a second source signal; respectively introducing L detector signals into a first signal transmission line including two readout channels A and B and a second signal transmission line including two readout channels C and D, and providing a first signal delay unit and a second signal delay unit on the first signal transmission line and the second signal transmission line; and symbolizing source detectors for forming signals according to pulses of the four readout channels A, B, C and D, and obtaining final pulse information.

Abstract: A channel multiplexing method for reading out a detector signal is provided, including steps: grouping L detectors to form a first source signal and a second source signal; respectively introducing L detector signals into a first signal transmission line including two readout channels A and B and a second signal transmission line including two readout channels C and D, and providing a first signal delay unit and a second signal delay unit on the first signal transmission line and the second signal transmission line; and symbolizing source detectors for forming signals according to pulses of the four readout channels A, B, C and D, and obtaining final pulse information.

Abstract: A method for digitalizing scintillation pulses includes: defining n threshold voltages V_th, forming a voltage comparison unit by n low-voltage differential signaling receiving ports, outputting, by the voltage comparison unit, a state-flip and a threshold voltage corresponding to the state-flip when one scintillation pulse to be sampled exceeds any one of the thresholds; and sampling digitally a time when the state-flip in step (2) occurs by a time-to-digit converter and identifying the threshold voltage corresponding to the state-flip, to acquire the voltage and the time for the scintillation pulse. The method can be performed using a device for digitalizing scintillation pulses.

Abstract: A method for digitalizing scintillation pulses includes: defining n threshold voltages V_th, forming a voltage comparison unit by n low-voltage differential signaling receiving ports, outputting, by the voltage comparison unit, a state-flip and a threshold voltage corresponding to the state-flip when one scintillation pulse to be sampled exceeds any one of the thresholds; and sampling digitally a time when the state-flip in step (2) occurs by a time-to-digit converter and identifying the threshold voltage corresponding to the state-flip, to acquire the voltage and the time for the scintillation pulse. The method can be performed using a device for digitalizing scintillation pulses.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer software product for correlating medical images, comprising: obtaining first image data representative of a first medical image including a first abnormality; obtaining second image data representative of a second medical image including a second abnormality; determining at least one feature value for each of the first and second abnormalities using the first and second image data; calculating, based on the determined feature values, a likelihood value indicative of a likelihood that the first and second abnormalities are a same abnormality; and outputting the determined likelihood value.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer software product for correlating medical images, comprising: obtaining first image data representative of a first medical image including a first abnormality; obtaining second image data representative of a second medical image including a second abnormality; determining at least one feature value for each of the first and second abnormalities using the first and second image data; calculating, based on the determined feature values, a likelihood value indicative of a likelihood that the first and second abnormalities are a same abnormality; and outputting the determined likelihood value.