Continuous-monitoring detector-system of arterial H215O concentration for positron-emission tomography

It is required to measure arterial H215O concentration (input function) as accurately as possible, as well as tissue activity, in positron emission computed tomography. For this purpose, a small detector-system equipped with continuous blood-sampling tube and plastic scintilator was developed, whereby blood is aspirated through the radical artery and arterial H215O concentration is continuously monitoring. In this paper, the composition and performance of this system are presented. In addition, mathematical methodology for correcting ''dispersion'' that causes errors of cerebral blood flow measurement, and a simple method for adjusting the time-shift of blood-sampling curves are described. (Namekawa, K.)