A High-Performance Self-Collimation SPECT for Small Animal Imaging

Stemmed from our novel single-photon imaging concept of detector self-collimation - which leverages detectors themselves as collimators to overcome the inherent resolution-sensitivity trade-off in conventional SPECT - this study presents the design and evaluation of the first full-ring self-collimation SPECT (SC-SPECT) scanner for small animal imaging. The system features four concentric detector rings and two interchangeable high-aperture-ratio tungsten collimator rings optimized for high-resolution (HR) and general-purpose (GP) imaging applications. Detector rings contain 480, 720, 960, and 1,200 evenly distributed GAGG(Ce) scintillators, each measuring 0.84 mm (tangential) × 6 mm (radial) × 20 mm (axial) and separated by 0.84-mm gaps to enable effective photon collimation. Inner detector rings and the collimator ring collectively provide collimation for photons reaching subsequent outer rings. Dual-end SiPM readouts facilitate axial depth-of-interaction measurements. Phantom and mouse studies are performed to assess the system's resolution, sensitivity, and field-of-view volume, and SC-SPECT demonstrates generally superior performance compared with state-of-the-art small-animal SPECT systems. Mouse bone images using 99mTc-MDP show CT-like resolution, clearly delineating detailed tracer uptake distributions within small structures such as mouse paws and skulls, indicating a significant technological advancement in small-animal SPECT imaging.