Method and apparatus for estimating scatter in a positron emission tomography scan at multiple bed positions

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for estimating scatter in a positron emission tomography (PET) scan at multiple bed positions, the method comprising, the method comprising:

• calculating a first scatter sinogram based on scatter data obtained at a first bed position;
• calculating a second scatter sinogram based on scatter data obtained at a second bed position;
• and
• deriving a third scatter sinogram for a third bed position between the first bed position and the second bed position, wherein
• the third scatter sinogram is derived from the first scatter sinogram according to a first percentage of overlap of the first bed position with the third bed position, and from the second scatter sinogram according to a second percentage of overlap of the second bed position with the third bed position.

An apparatus for estimating scatter in a positron emission tomography (PET) scan at multiple bed positions, the apparatus comprising:

• processing circuitry configured to
• calculate a first scatter sinogram based on scatter data obtained at a first bed position;
• calculate a second scatter sinogram based on scatter data obtained at a second bed position;
• and
• derive a third scatter sinogram for a third bed position between the first bed position and the second bed position, wherein
• the processing circuitry derives the third scatter sinogram from the first scatter sinogram according to a first percentage of overlap of the first bed position with the third bed position, and from the second scatter sinogram according to a second percentage of overlap of the second bed position with the third bed position.