SCOUT: a fast Monte-Carlo modeling tool of scintillation camera output

Phys Med Biol. 2013 Jun 7;58(11):3581-98. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/58/11/3581. Epub 2013 May 2.

Abstract

We have developed a Monte-Carlo photon-tracking and readout simulator called SCOUT to study the stochastic behavior of signals output from a simplified rectangular scintillation-camera design. SCOUT models the salient processes affecting signal generation, transport, and readout of a scintillation camera. In this work, we compare output signal statistics from SCOUT to experimental results for both a discrete and a monolithic camera. We also benchmark the speed of this simulation tool and compare it to existing simulation tools. We find this modeling tool to be relatively fast and predictive of experimental results. Depending on the modeled camera geometry, we found SCOUT to be 4 to 140 times faster than other modeling tools.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Benchmarking
  • Monte Carlo Method*
  • Photons
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Scintillation Counting / methods*
  • Stochastic Processes
  • Time Factors