SURECount digital PET detector
The use of SiPM photosensors has inspired new design choices that can impact image quality, scan times, and dose efficiencies, all of which lead to better patient care. Because there are many ways to design a PET detector with SiPM, the ability of a PET detector to maximize this impact goes beyond just including SiPM. Canon has designed the new SURECount Digital PET-CT detector to leverage the potential of SiPM photosensors while taking full advantage of design of the entire PET detector from coverage to cooling.
Coverage refers to how much of the SiPM in a digital detector covers the scintillator crystal in the detector design. When there is not enough SiPM to cover the face of the crystal, a light guide is used which results in a reduction of performance. By choosing to make a digital detector with 100% coverage of SiPM to crystal, the SURECount detector is able to optimize performance characteristics like ToF.
The timing resolution improvements on the Cartesion Prime can have a significant impact on image quality, scan time, and dose efficiency. However, just having SiPM does not mean this improvement can be realized to its full potential. With design choices like 100% coverage and one-to-one coupling, Canon has been able to achieve an impressive 263 ps ToF performance.
Having a very large axial FOV can be used for many performance improvements in PET imaging. With a 27 cm axial FOV, the Cartesion Prime digital PET-CT can deliver on the ability to provide faster scans that translates to a more comfortable experience for patients.