Systems and methods for spect detector calibration

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for calibrating a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system. In one example, a collimated line source for calibrating a SPECT system comprises a radioactive material aligned along a central axis of the collimated line source and a plurality of collimator plates arranged perpendicularly around the central axis, the collimator plates including a material that substantially absorbs photons striking the collimator plates. The collimator plates may absorb photons emitted by the radioactive material in non-perpendicular directions, which are not used for calibrating the SPECT imaging system, thereby reducing an amount of radiation released in an environment of the SPECT imaging system during calibration. Due to the reduced amount of radiation to which people in the environment are exposed, short time increments between patient examinations may be advantageously used to collect calibration data, reducing an overall amount of time used for calibration.