Synthetic KM Study

PKIN always shows the model curve given the loaded input curve(s) and the configured regional kinetic model with the timing of the current study. The user may modify any of the defining parameters and observe the effect on the model curve, which represents the expected PET measurement.

The Create Synthetic KM Study facility allows to generate data representing a perfect measurement with a certain sampling of the tissue and blood measurements. In this way well-defined and smooth TACs and blood curves can be obtained.

Synthetic Study Generation

1. Define a suitable kinetic model (compartment model, parameter values) in all regions.
2. Define a suitable input curve model, for instance a smooth curve fitted to the actual input curve.
3. Select the entry Synthetic KM Study in the File menu. A dialog appears showing the blood models and the model curve of the current region.
   
4. Initially all curves have the original sampling times. To modify sampling, use the buttons Set Blood Sampling and Set Tac Sampling. For instance, very fine sampling allows to generate smooth curves for publication or simulation purposes.
   
5. When Save Synthetic Study is activated, all regional TACs are recalculated with the current sampling, the old measurements are replaced by the values of the model curve, the original blood values are replaced by the values calculated with the current blood models, and the data is saved in a file specified by the user. Then, the original data are shown again.
6. Finally, to see and work with the synthetic study, load the created file. The synthetic model curves are now the measured TACs, and the resampled blood curves have the Measured model associated. So any underlying model of the blood curve (which has been used for synthetic model calculation) gets lost. This may cause small deviations between the calculated model curve and the saved synthetic TAC, depending on the density of blood sampling.