Proton therapy monitoring: Spatiotemporal emission reconstruction with prompt gamma timing and implementation with PET detectors

Objective. In this study we introduce spatiotemporal emission reconstruction prompt gamma timing (SER-PGT), a new method to directly reconstruct the prompt photon emission in the space and time domains inside the patient in proton therapy. Approach. SER-PGT is based on the numerical optimisation of a multidimensional likelihood function, followed by a post-processing of the results. The current approach relies on a specific implementation of the maximum-likelihood expectation maximisation algorithm. The robustness of the method is guaranteed by the complete absence of any information about the target composition in the algorithm. Main results. Accurate Monte Carlo simulations indicate a range resolution of about 0.5 cm (standard deviation) when considering 107 primary protons impinging on an homogeneous phantom. Preliminary results on an anthropomorphic phantom are also reported. Significance. By showing the feasibility for the reconstruction of the primary particle range using PET detectors, this study provides significant basis for the development of an hybrid in-beam PET and prompt photon device.