A new multi-parallel-beam collimators with improved sensitivity for SPECT

In this paper, a new design of multi-parallel-beam (MPB) collimators with projection multiplexing is proposed. In the MPB system, two different oblique parallel channels are introduced in a conventional parallel-beam collimator. The sensitivity of the single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system is improved by allowing projection overlapping. Comparative simulation studies were performed in the MPB collimators, general purpose parallel-beam (GPPB) collimators and high sensitivity parallel-beam (HSPB) collimators. In the simulation, attenuation, scattering and the impact of detector response were neglected. Simulation results show that the sensitivity is improved for the MPB collimator comparing with parallel-beam collimator. The behavior of spatial resolution is only different near the front face of the collimators and approaches that of the GPPB with increasing depth. Proper pre-filtering is helpful for the image reconstruction in the MPB collimators. Comparing with the HSPB collimator, the MPB can achieve a similar sensitivity and better resolution. The simulation ot the U87 cells, and their expression levels were higher in the 10 Gy group than in the 0 Gy group. The differential gene expression in DCX-U87 cells before and after radiation is helpful for future investigations into the mechanisms of radiation therapy in neurogliocytoma cells.