PET/CT is the primary staging and response-assessment tool for oncology. This guide covers the key technical and infrastructure factors for a successful pre-owned PET/CT acquisition.

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1. Crystal Type & Sensitivity

Crystal material determines image quality and scan efficiency.

LYSO/LSO: best timing resolution for TOF PET
BGO: high stopping power, no TOF capability
TOF PET significantly improves image quality

2. Time-of-Flight Capability

TOF localises the annihilation event for sharper images.

Confirm timing resolution (ps)
Critical for larger patient populations
Available in most mid-to-late generation systems

3. Axial Field of View

Larger AFOV means fewer bed positions and faster whole-body scans.

Standard AFOV: 15–26 cm
Larger AFOV reduces total scan time meaningfully
Impacts patient dose and throughput

4. Integrated CT Performance

CT quality affects attenuation correction and diagnostic capability.

16, 40, or 64-slice integrated CT options
Independent CT image quality testing
Confirm software version and available options

5. Brands We Supply

Leading hybrid PET/CT imaging platforms.

Siemens Healthineers — Biograph mCT, Vision
GE Healthcare — Discovery IQ, Discovery MI
Philips — Gemini TF, Vereos; United Imaging

6. Isotope Supply & Regulatory

Infrastructure requirements must be confirmed before committing to a PET programme.

FDG supply chain and local cyclotron access
Export and import radiation licensing
Destination-country regulatory approvals

Common Questions

Common Buyer Questions

Answers to the most common questions about pre-owned PET/CT systems.

What is the difference between LSO/LYSO and BGO detectors in clinical PET?

LYSO/LSO crystals offer higher light output, faster decay time, and better timing resolution than BGO, enabling time-of-flight imaging and faster acquisitions. BGO detectors have higher stopping power (sensitivity) but are slower. Modern systems use LYSO or LGSO for the best combination of sensitivity and TOF performance. BGO systems remain clinically functional for non-TOF FDG oncology applications at lower acquisition cost.

Do I need a local cyclotron to operate a PET/CT?

No. FDG (the most commonly used PET radiopharmaceutical) is produced by regional cyclotron facilities and distributed to hospitals within a 2–3 hour radius due to the 110-minute half-life of F-18. Many hospitals receive daily FDG deliveries from regional production centres. Verify the delivery schedule and lead times from your nearest supplier before committing to a PET programme.

What regulatory approvals are needed to import and operate PET/CT?

Requirements vary by country but typically include: export licence from origin country (for radioactive source-capable equipment), import customs clearance, radiation safety authority approval for the installation, site radiation survey, and a radioactive materials licence for isotope use. NOVO Imaging manages export licensing and can advise on destination-country regulatory requirements.

How important is axial field of view in clinical PET?

A larger axial FOV covers more body anatomy per bed position, reducing total scan time and patient dose. Standard AFOV (15–26 cm) typically requires 6–8 bed positions for a whole-body FDG scan (3–5 minutes per position). Larger AFOV systems (40–50 cm) reduce bed positions and total scan time meaningfully. Total-body PET (>100 cm AFOV) enables ultra-fast single-bed scans but are primarily research tools at present.

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Buying a Pre-Owned PET/CT System: Key Considerations