GATE simulation of a high-performance stationary SPECT system for cardiac imaging

In this work we report on GATE simulation studies of DC-SPECT, a body contouring system designed for cardiac imaging applications. The design concept of the DC-SPECT is based on multiple simultaneous view of the heart enabled by the use of laser processed CsI:Tl detector modules with high intrinsic detector resolution. Our theoretical and GATE simulation results show that we can obtain ~0.081% system sensitivity and ~10.0 mm FWHM system spatial resolution without point spread function (PSF) modeling or other correction techniques. Image reconstruction of a Derenzo-like phantom suggest that the DC-SPECT system can resolve activity rods smaller than 10 mm diameter with no correction techniques applied.