Patent ID: 7649176

Claim:
A method for improving data quality in Positron Emission Tomography (PET), said method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a generic functional form T(p) for a true count rate response in a PET scanner, wherein p is a selected parameter; (b) determining a generic functional form R(p) for a randoms count rate response in the PET scanner; (c) determining a value of a true count rate T in a specific clinical patient scan; (d) determining a value of a randoms count rate R in the specific clinical patient scan; (e) determining a value of a selected parameter p in the specific clinical patient scan; (f) calibrating said generic functional form of T(p) using said values of T and p to acquire a calibrated T pat (p), whereby said calibrated T pat (p) accurately represents an actual count rate response for the patient and scan configuration; and (g) calibrating said generic functional form of R(p) using said values of R and p to acquire a calibrated R pat (p), whereby said calibrated R pat (p) accurately represents an actual count rate response for the patient and scan configuration.