Positron emission tomography instrumentation

Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning has evolved over the past 40 ye ars from a tool predominantly used for research, to a valued clinical, imag ing modality. Current PET scanners must perform high-quality, whole-body, a nd brain PET. There are several levels of PET devices, from the dedicated, high-end scanners to the hybrid PET/single photon emission CT (SPECT) syste ms, and offer varying levels of performance. The next generation of PET sca nners most likely will involve the use of new scintillating materials. Ther e also is a growing interest in dedicated devices for specific applications such as high-resolution scanners for imaging small animals.