Simulations and Image Reconstruction for the High Resolution CaLIPSO PET Scanner for Brain and Preclinical Studies

The foreseen CaLIPSO Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner is expected to yield simultaneously a fine image resolution, about 1 mm$^3$, and a high contrast. In this paper we present results of simulations for the full CaLIPSO PET scanner with a "cube" geometry. We quantify by simulations the expected image resolution and Noise Equivalent Count Rates and compare them to the performance of the most efficient clinically used PET scanner, the High-Resolution Research Tomograph by Siemens. We bring up the issues of the image reconstruction for a scanner with high spatial resolution. We also present simulated brain images for [$^{18}$F]-FDG and [$^{11}$C]-PE2I tracer distributions. Results demonstrate the high potential of the CaLIPSO PET scanner for small animal and brain imaging where combination of high spatial resolution and efficiency is essential.