Mind-Tracker PET: A wearable PET camera for brain imaging

Pet is a powerful tool in both the neurologic studies and brain-related clinic applications. However, the conventional method of imaging subject in supine is not always desirable for brain imaging. In this study, we have designed and fabricated a wearable PET camera named Mind-Tracker PET for brain imaging. The aperture and the AFOV of the system are 200 mm and 32 mm, respectively. The Mind-Tracker PET consists of 16 detector modules, 16 readout electronics boards (named Pico-PET electronics), and a 3D printed gantry. The detector module consists of a 10 × 10 LYSO crystal array (single crystal size: 3 mm × 3 mm × 20 mm, array size: 32 mm × 32 mm × 20 mm), and a 10 × 10 SiPM array (SensL, J-series SiPM, 3 mm, array size: 32 mm × 32 mm). The discrete crystals and the SiPMs are one-toone coupled. All 16 crystal arrays and SiPM arrays are characterized by the Pico-PET electronics. The results show excellent performances in term of gain, dark current, breakdown voltage and energy resolution. The total weight of the scanner is 3,325 grams, which is lighter than the commonly-used motorcycle helmet. The weight of the battery and the host PC are about 2,000 grams. They are assembled and put in a backpack. A healthy grownup can wear the system for brain imaging for hours. This Mind-Tracker PET system makes it possible to monitor the neurologic activities in the brain when the subject in more natural states, such as sitting and walking.