Methods and apparatus for improving the image resolution and sensitivity of whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) imaging

A device to enhance an image resolution of a positron emission tomography (PET) system, the PET system configured to image a target region of a subject, the device comprising:

• a detector panel comprising an array of gamma ray detectors having higher resolutions than detectors of a detector array of the PET system and positioned in closer proximity to a patient table than the detector array, the detector panel to be positioned outside a field of view defined by the detector array during at least a portion of scanning by the PET system and configured to detect at least one coincidence event in cooperation with the detector array, wherein the detector panel is configured to be in communication with a control unit of the PET system, the control unit configured to be in communication also with the detector array and configured to control the detector array and the detector panel to operate in cooperation with each other.

A method for enhancing a resolution of an image of a target region within a subject obtained using a positron emission tomography (PET) system, wherein the PET system includes a detector array including an array of gamma ray detectors that define a field of view and configured to detect at least one coincidence event and a control unit configured to be in communication with the detector array and configured to control the detector array, the method comprising:

• providing a detector panel comprising an array of gamma ray detectors having higher resolutions than the gamma ray detectors of the detector array, the detector panel configured to be positioned in closer proximity to a patient table than the detector array and positioned outside the field of view defined by the detector array during at least a portion of scanning by the PET system, the detector panel configured to detect at least one coincidence event in cooperation with the detector array, and the detector panel configured to be in communication with the control unit and to be controlled by the control unit to operate in cooperation with the detector array.