What does daily QC calibration in a PET imaging system primarily compensate for?

Daily quality control (QC) calibration in a PET imaging system primarily compensates for detector hardware differences. Over time, variations and inconsistencies can arise in the detector components due to factors such as temperature fluctuations, wear and tear, and intrinsic material properties. These factors can affect the sensitivity and efficiency of the detectors, which are critical for ensuring accurate and reliable imaging results.

By conducting daily QC calibrations, the system can account for these hardware variances, ensuring that the PET scans maintain a consistent level of accuracy. The calibration process helps to align the data collected to a known standard, reducing discrepancies and ensuring that images produced are of high quality and diagnostically useful. This practice is crucial for maintaining the integrity of imaging in a clinical setting, as it ensures that any variations in detector performance do not negatively impact the interpretation of scans.