Estimation of fan beam and parallel beam parameters in a wire mesh design

Abstract

Special collimators used in imaging systems play an important part in obtaining qualified images to improve diagnosis in medicine. Methods: The primary aim of this study was to compare resolution between fan beam and parallel beam collimators using Monte Carlo simulation in the shape of cubic holes. Also, parameters such as geometric efficiency, geometric resolution, scatter, penetration, and full width at half maximum were studied to compare their special characteristics. Results: The simulation results demonstrated that the geometry efficiency of a fan beam collimator increased as the angle of the slant hole increased, and the geometric resolution decreased as the angle of the slant hole increased, at a distinct distance from a monoenergetic source of g-rays. In contrast, at a distinct angle, geometric resolution increased as the distance between the source and the collimator surface increased. For both collimators, scatter and penetration decreased as the distance increased. These results were in agreement with ADAC company data. Finally, fan beam collimators were found to have better resolution than parallel beam collimators with a cubic hole shape in a wire mesh design. Conclusion: Estimation of the fan beam by parallel beam parameters as cubic holes can be suitable in collimator design to improve resolution and efficiency. © 2012 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine, Inc.