A methodology for the estimation of the optimal iteration in MLEM-based image reconstruction in PET

We have proposed a method for the estimation of the optimal iteration for the Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization (MLEM) algorithm used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) image reconstruction. For the calculation of the transition matrix and the generation of the projection data a PET scanner was simulated using Monte-Carlo techniques. Our preliminary results show that the proposed methodology can estimate the optimal iteration for the MLEM algorithm.