Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PetVision (Next generation Limited-Angle time-of-flight PET imager)
Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2024-08-31
The PetVision project addresses key challenges in modern medical diagnostics by improving Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging technology. While current PET scanners are useful in detecting cancer and other diseases, they are often expensive, inefficient, and slow. PET imaging plays a critical role in diagnosing cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases, which require highly sensitive detection tools. However, high costs and limited access have hindered the broader adoption of PET imaging globally. PetVision emerges in ongoing global efforts to advance medical imaging technology. It is aligned with the EU's strategic objectives, including the Cancer Plan and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3 - Good Health and Well-being).
The PET system proposed by the PetVision project aims to overcome existing systems' financial and technical limitations, making life-saving imaging tools more accessible, particularly in developing regions. PetVision aims to develop a next-generation of cost-effective PET scanners with significantly improved sensitivity and time-of-flight resolution.
The primary objective is to design and build a highly sensitive, modular PET scanner based on a new arrangement of flat-panel detectors instead of the traditional cylindrical geometry. This will significantly reduce the required detector material while maintaining high performance. Breakthroughs in TOF technology will enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and allow for faster imaging times and dynamic imaging capabilities.
PetVision sets the stage for a transformation in medical imaging, combining technological innovation with cost-efficiency and accessibility. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and validation in world-renowned hospitals, the project aims to influence health policy, ultimately improving diagnostic and treatment outcomes for patients worldwide.
The PET system proposed by the PetVision project aims to overcome existing systems' financial and technical limitations, making life-saving imaging tools more accessible, particularly in developing regions. PetVision aims to develop a next-generation of cost-effective PET scanners with significantly improved sensitivity and time-of-flight resolution.
The primary objective is to design and build a highly sensitive, modular PET scanner based on a new arrangement of flat-panel detectors instead of the traditional cylindrical geometry. This will significantly reduce the required detector material while maintaining high performance. Breakthroughs in TOF technology will enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and allow for faster imaging times and dynamic imaging capabilities.
PetVision sets the stage for a transformation in medical imaging, combining technological innovation with cost-efficiency and accessibility. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and validation in world-renowned hospitals, the project aims to influence health policy, ultimately improving diagnostic and treatment outcomes for patients worldwide.
WP1 Project Management and Coordination
T1.1 Management and coordination: Setup and operation of steering board, project management team and project follow-up
WP2 System design
T2.2 Specifications of medical requirements: Medical requirements specified in the deliverable
T2.3 Scintillator, SiPM and ASIC performance: Testing the quality of samples of different producer, evaluatiing the FastIC and FastIC+ chip as a predecessor
T2.5 Simulation study, reconstruction: Extensive simulations are on-going, main results have been published.
T2.6 Prototype technical design: The writing of the technical design report started, mechanical design is well under way.
WP3 ASIC development
T3.2 ASIC prototype design: Extensive experimental and simulation studies of the chip blocks are under way.
T3.3 ASIC Floorplan, BGA layout, integration: Different options are explored and studied
WP4 Development of integrated photosensor
T4.2 Next-gen SiPM array development - Test structures designed
T4.3 Next-gen SiPM array production: First Run is ongoing
WP5 Front end readout and DAQ
T5.2 Concentrator and Synchronisation Boards: The concentrator and synchronisation boards are being designed, - Selection of components is almost finished
T5.3 Data acquisition system - Design of the data acquisition system has started
T1.1 Management and coordination: Setup and operation of steering board, project management team and project follow-up
WP2 System design
T2.2 Specifications of medical requirements: Medical requirements specified in the deliverable
T2.3 Scintillator, SiPM and ASIC performance: Testing the quality of samples of different producer, evaluatiing the FastIC and FastIC+ chip as a predecessor
T2.5 Simulation study, reconstruction: Extensive simulations are on-going, main results have been published.
T2.6 Prototype technical design: The writing of the technical design report started, mechanical design is well under way.
WP3 ASIC development
T3.2 ASIC prototype design: Extensive experimental and simulation studies of the chip blocks are under way.
T3.3 ASIC Floorplan, BGA layout, integration: Different options are explored and studied
WP4 Development of integrated photosensor
T4.2 Next-gen SiPM array development - Test structures designed
T4.3 Next-gen SiPM array production: First Run is ongoing
WP5 Front end readout and DAQ
T5.2 Concentrator and Synchronisation Boards: The concentrator and synchronisation boards are being designed, - Selection of components is almost finished
T5.3 Data acquisition system - Design of the data acquisition system has started
The main breakthrough innovations are:
1. the multichannel ASIC with a fast analog front end and the time-to-digital converter with precise timing resolution and moderate power consumption. The chip design is well underway and incorporates the understanding gained during the experimental work done with single-channel high-power converters.
2. the monolithic photon sensors have increased photon detector efficiency, high fill factor and good timing properties. This has been achieved by a novel through-silicon-via process.
3. 2.5D integration of the detector and sensor. We are exploring different packaging options: e.g. partial packaging of ASIC chips in a BGA package, selection of the interposer with high flatness, integration of cooling elements in the interposer, embedded components materials.
4. The mechanical design of the prototype will be flexible, robust and compact to allow imaging of different body parts in different settings, i.e. in parallel with the existing PET scanners for comparative, non-invasive studies.
1. the multichannel ASIC with a fast analog front end and the time-to-digital converter with precise timing resolution and moderate power consumption. The chip design is well underway and incorporates the understanding gained during the experimental work done with single-channel high-power converters.
2. the monolithic photon sensors have increased photon detector efficiency, high fill factor and good timing properties. This has been achieved by a novel through-silicon-via process.
3. 2.5D integration of the detector and sensor. We are exploring different packaging options: e.g. partial packaging of ASIC chips in a BGA package, selection of the interposer with high flatness, integration of cooling elements in the interposer, embedded components materials.
4. The mechanical design of the prototype will be flexible, robust and compact to allow imaging of different body parts in different settings, i.e. in parallel with the existing PET scanners for comparative, non-invasive studies.