Crystal-based coincidence timing calibration method

A method of calibrating the coincidence timing of a PET imaging system including a plurality of detector rings, each detector ring including a plurality of detectors with a plurality of detector crystals, comprising the steps of:

• collecting timing data indicative of coincidence events occurring between pairs of crystals within a field of view of the imaging system;
• determining a detector adjustment value for each detector;
• determining a crystal adjustment value for each crystal in each detector;
• discretizing the crystal adjustment value for each crystal to produce a discretized crystal adjustment value for each crystal;
• and
• calibrating each detector by applying the discretized crystal adjustment value for each crystal in each detector to the collected timing data indicative of coincidence events.

A method of calibrating the coincidence timing of a detector in a PET imaging system, the detector including a plurality of detector crystals, comprising the steps of:

• collecting timing data indicative of coincidence events occurring between pairs of crystals within a field of view of the imaging system;
• determining a detector adjustment value for the detector;
• determining a crystal adjustment value for each crystal in the detector;
• discretizing the crystal adjustment value for each crystal in the detector to produce a discretized crystal adjustment value for each crystal;
• and
• calibrating the detector by applying the discretized crystal adjustment value for each crystal in the detector to the collected timing data indicative of coincidence events.