Optimizing positron emission tomography for accurate plant imaging using Monte Carlo simulations to correct positron range effects

Abstract

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a valuable tool for plant imaging, but its accuracy can be compromised by positron range effects. This study improves PET accuracy using the GATE Monte Carlo simulation tool to estimate and correct these effects. The GATE model was validated for the Siemens Biograph Vision system using the NEMA NU 2-2018 protocol, showing alignment with experimental data. Deviations were within 9% for sensitivity and 3% for peak Noise Equivalent Count Rate (NECR). Different isotopes (¹⁸F, ¹¹C, ¹⁵O, and ³⁰P) and plant phantom properties were analyzed for their impact on reconstructed images. A sixfold enhancement was observed for ¹⁵O and a threefold improvement for ¹¹C when a magnetic field was applied to the plant phantom. Our findings suggest that integrating PET with magnetic resonance imaging can help address Positron range effects in plant imaging. This study provides valuable insights into PET imaging and offers refined methodologies for clinical and plant-centric research. Our research validates the use of GATE Monte Carlo simulation for Biograph Vision and advances our understanding of Positron range phenomena and potential mitigation strategies for precise PET Plant imaging.

Keywords: GATE Monte Carlo simulation; Integrated PET and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); NEMA protocol; PET; Plant Imaging; Positron range.

Fig. 1

Biograph Vision Sensitivity as a function of shielding thickness of the phantom placed at center FOV and at 10 cm from the center of the FOV.

Fig. 2

Plant phantom image reconstructed for different atomic compositions inside the leaves.

Fig. 3

contrast Image reconstruction plant phantom a ¹⁸F Background activity(5.3kBq/cc) b (100kBq/cc) and 8:1 ¹⁸F, ¹⁵O and ¹¹C activity for hot regions.

Fig. 4

a Image intensity reconstruction plant phantom as function of density for activity Concentration (100kBq/cc), mean reconstructed image slices (99, 100, 101) b activity Concentration (100kBq/cc), c activity Concentration (5.3 kBq/cc).

Fig. 5

Image reconstruction plant phantom using different radio-tracer a BV (100kBq/cc) b BV (5.3 kBq/cc).

Fig. 6

Comparaison 3D positron range of ¹⁵O, ¹⁸F, ¹¹C and ³⁰P for density range from 0.1 to 0.6 g/cm³.

Fig. 7

Visualization of Spatial distribution of the simulation annihilation endpoint in the x/y plane perpendicular to the magnetic field and the z/y parallel to the magnitic field for ¹⁵O point source positioned in homogeneous plant material for a field strength of 0 T and 3T.

Fig. 8

Visualization of plant phantom image reconstructed for ¹⁵O and ¹¹C with a field strength of 0T, 1T and 3T from the left to right.

Fig. 9

Image intensity of plant phantom leaves reconstructed for ¹⁵O and ¹¹C at magnetic field strengths of 0T, 1T, and 3T.

Fig. 10

a Plant phantom Geometry, b plant phantom phnatom.