Maximum likelihood estimation of functional parameters using dynamic data in positron emission tomography

More extended EM algorithms that incorporate various physical and statistical physical factors affecting quantitative measurements in tracer kinetic studies have been developed. Factors that have been considered include Poisson process of photon emission, physical decay, photon attenuation, random coincidence and scattered radiation. Computer codes for estimating cerebral blood flow based on various steady-state and rapid administration techniques using oxygen 15 labeled CO2 or O2 have been completed. Preliminary results indicate that the bolus water injection method is perhaps the first method of our choice for protocol implementation. Software development for blood volume studies using CO is nearly complete. We have developed a method based on computer matching of surfaces as identified in multiple imaging scans which allows registration of any number of scans from single or multiple modalities