Directional estimation for radioactive source localization in single photon emission computed tomography

Abstract

For radioactive source localization, the SPECT system uses a spectroscopic, low spatial resolution detector to localize the Point-of-(first) Interaction (POI) within the detector sensor material in 3D (“3D detector” or “3D spectroscopic detector”), which in turn can be used to estimate the general direction of the source of emissions. By detecting the depth of the 3D POI, and emissions over the specified energy range, a processor may determine a direction towards the source. No shielding is needed as detected emissions from other directions may be discarded. Different shielding may be used to assist in directionality determination, such as different thickness profiles or material type by side of the detector, allowing directional determination by intensity.

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