ABSTRACT
Software and hardware advancements in Nuclear Medicine imaging technology have played a pivotal role, particularly within the domain of nuclear cardiology. Hybrid imaging systems, combining single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) with computed tomography, are extensively utilized in this field. Recently, PET/ magnetic resonance (MR) hybrid systems including MR imaging component have also been introduced to the market, showcasing the continual evolution of imaging modalities. Moreover, there is a notable preference for newly developed high-efficiency dedicated cardiac SPECT cameras in cardiac scintigraphy. The incorporation of solid-state detectors and innovative collimator designs in these systems has significantly contributed to the reduction of radiation doses and simultaneous improvement of image quality. In tandem with hardware advancements, substantial progress has been made in software technologies. The integration of high-resolution algorithms and artificial intelligence-based software into these imaging systems represents a noteworthy breakthrough. Newly developed model-based algorithms have been instrumental in optimizing data analysis in nuclear cardiology imaging systems, leading to expedited and more accurate diagnoses. This review aims to present an overview of the software and hardware advances in current Nuclear Medicine imaging systems, emphasizing their contributions to the field of nuclear cardiology.
Keywords: Nuclear cardiology, scintigraphy, image reconstruction, software and hardware advances
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