JSNC TECHNICAL AWARD Data Acquisition and Image Processing Related to Changes in Nuclear Cardiology Devices

Forty years have passed since the introduction of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)in nuclear cardiology. During this period, there was a shift from Anger-type gamma cameras equipped with one detector to those with multiple detectors. Semiconductor detectors have also become available in recent years. Devices with X-ray CT and positron emission tomography (PET)-compatible ones are also now available. There was also a shift in image processing: from the filtered back projection(FBP)to the ordered-subsets expectation maximization(OS-EM)method. Since the OS-EM method improves the quality of images as one of its characteristics, the frequency of sampling and collection time is being reviewed to determine the values appropriate for the reconstruction method. Types of OS-EM method that have incorporated attenuation, scatter, and resolution corrections have also been in practical use. This technological progress has improved the quality of SPECT images and diagnostic accuracy, and the use of nuclear cardiology SPECT will be further promoted.