3D𝛑 - Three Dimensional Positron Identification with Liquid Argon Total-Body TOF-PET

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is used in nuclear medicine to diagnose diseases and observe metabolic processes. However, the inefficiencies of current PET scanners limit the true potential of PET imaging. To rectify these problems, we propose 3Dπ: a full body, Time of Flight (TOF) PET scanner that employs Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) coupled with a Liquid Argon (LAr) scintillator.

This new design was simulated using the Geant4 simulation tool kit while following the NEMA evaluation tests to assess its performance. Along with this, we tested two variations of the LAr scintillator: LAr with Tetraphenyl-Butadiene (TPB) and LAr doped with Xenon atoms. The findings of this study indicate this new design offers a 200-fold gain in sensitivity, a timing resolution below 100ps (FWHM) and an increase in image quality. Thus, with these advantages, the patient could theoretically undergo 15-30 second scans instead of the average 30-45-minute scan. Furthermore, the dosage of the radioactive tracer ingested by patients can also be reduced and still recreate decent quality scans.

In conclusion, 3Dπ offers better reconstruction of individual positron annihilation vertices and provides low-dose PET scans for patients who may be at high risk for exposure to radiation.