Evaluating image reconstruction methods in improving effective parameters on image quality in IRI-microPET

We intend to improve the image reconstruction for RMS contrast, spatial resolution and signal-to-noise (SNR) parameters for the animal positron emission tomograph IRI—microPET (IRI-Islamic Republic of Iran), designed and built at the Gamma scan laboratory of nuclear science and technology research institute. Acquired images quality from this system depends on different algorithms for image reconstruction in addition to its design and construction. In this paper, system features and tomography method are considered, firstly. Then, image reconstruction algorithms (MLEM, SART, and FBP) were performed on sinogarm. Acquired images quality from these reconstructed algorithms was compared with RMS contrast, spatial resolution and SNR characteristics. Also, reconstructed time and speed of process for three algorithms was considered. According to results, obtained RMS contrast, spatial resolution and signal to noise ratio (SNR) from reconstructed images with MLEM algorithm shows superiority of MLEM algorithm against the SART and FBP algorithms but its computation time is high. Thus, SART algorithm can be suitable replacement for MLEM algorithm.