IEC 61675-1-2022 PDF

Full title and description

Radionuclide imaging devices - Characteristics and test conditions - Part 1: Positron emission tomographs. This International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard specifies terminology, test methods and performance reporting requirements for positron emission tomographs (PET), covering detection of annihilation radiation from positron‑emitting radionuclides using coincidence detection.

Abstract

IEC 61675-1:2022 is the third edition of the PET performance standard. It defines standardized measurement procedures and declaration formats for PET system characteristics — including spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction, count‑rate performance, image quality metrics, PET/CT registration accuracy and time‑of‑flight resolution — and replaces the previous (2013) edition as a technical revision. The standard is intended to support consistent performance claims, acceptance testing and comparative evaluation of PET systems.

General information

• Status: Published / Current standard.
• Publication date: 18 March 2022.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 11.040.50 (Radiographic equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 3.0 (third edition).
• Number of pages: 87 (official IEC publication length).

Key bibliographic details above are taken from the IEC publication record and recognized national adoption notices.

Scope

Specifies terminology and test methods for declaring the characteristics of positron emission tomographs. The scope covers measurement procedures and performance reporting for PET detectors and complete PET and PET/CT systems, with normative methods for spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction, count‑rate behaviour, image quality assessment, co‑registration accuracy and time‑of‑flight performance. IEC 61675-1:2022 cancels and replaces the second edition (2013) and incorporates technical changes and new or revised requirements for the topics listed above.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and standardized terminology for PET system components and performance metrics.
• Measurement procedures for spatial resolution (radial, tangential, axial) and reporting of FWHM/FWTM results.
• Sensitivity measurement protocol and reporting conventions for line/point sources.
• Scatter fraction measurement and characterization across activity ranges.
• Count‑rate performance tests including NECR (noise‑equivalent count rate) and count losses.
• Image quality tests (phantom‑based contrast recovery and background variability) and related acceptance criteria.
• Co‑registration / PET‑CT alignment accuracy tests and requirements for hybrid systems.
• Time‑of‑flight resolution measurement procedures for TOF‑equipped scanners.
• Specification of how results are declared in technical documentation and product data sheets.

These topics reflect the principal test methods and reporting elements standardized by the edition.

Typical use and users

Primary users are PET system manufacturers (for design verification and product declarations), independent test laboratories, medical physicists and hospital engineering teams (for acceptance testing, commissioning and periodic performance checks), regulatory bodies and procurement professionals (for specification and comparative evaluation). The standard supports consistent manufacturer declarations used in purchase, accreditation and clinical quality assurance.

Related standards

IEC 61675-1 sits within the IEC 61675 family of radionuclide imaging device standards. Closely related documents include IEC 61675-2 (gamma cameras for planar, whole‑body and SPECT imaging) and older IEC 61675-3 material (historical gamma‑camera guidance now superseded by part 2). In practice, PET performance testing and reporting are also commonly compared with NEMA performance standards for PET (NEMA NU 2‑2018), which provide complementary measurement procedures (e.g., TOF and PET/CT co‑registration tests) used widely in industry and literature.

Keywords

Positron emission tomography; PET; radionuclide imaging; spatial resolution; sensitivity; scatter fraction; count rate; NECR; image quality; PET/CT registration; time‑of‑flight; IEC 61675; medical imaging standards.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61675-1:2022 is the IEC international standard that defines terminology, standardized test methods and reporting practices for positron emission tomographs (PET). It is the third edition, published in March 2022.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement and declaration of PET performance characteristics such as spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction, count‑rate performance (including NECR), image quality (phantom tests), PET/CT co‑registration accuracy and time‑of‑flight resolution, plus the related terminology and reporting formats.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, test laboratories, medical physicists, hospital engineers, procurement teams and regulators use the standard for product specification, acceptance testing, commissioning and comparative evaluation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61675-1:2022 is the current (third) edition published 18 March 2022. It cancels and replaces the second edition (2013). Users should verify national adoptions or amendments in their country for any localized updates.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61675 is a multipart series addressing radionuclide imaging devices. Part 1 covers PET, Part 2 covers gamma cameras (planar, whole‑body and SPECT) and earlier Part 3 material has been superseded or incorporated into later documents in the series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Positron emission tomography, PET, spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction, NECR, image quality, TOF, PET/CT co‑registration, radionuclide imaging.