Final answer:
The ideal detector configuration for a new low-dose CT protocol for patients less than 30 pounds would be one that minimizes radiation while maintaining image quality, such as a CT scanner with dose modulation capabilities tailored for pediatric patients rather than SPECT, which is not suitable for this application.
Step-by-step explanation:
To design a new low-dose CT protocol for patients less than 30 pounds, it's essential to choose a detector configuration that minimizes radiation exposure while maintaining image quality. A computed tomography (CT) scanner, also known as a computed axial tomography (CAT) scanner, uses an array of detectors to register x-rays from multiple angles, providing highly-detailed images. Modern CT scanners can optimize doses using techniques like dose modulation and selection of the appropriate parameters for the patient's size.
For pediatric patients, especially those under 30 pounds, the central concern is minimizing radiation exposure because children are more sensitive to radiation than adults. A CT scanner's configuration that features a high number of detectors, fast scanning capabilities, and the ability to modulate or lower the dose based on the patient's size would be ideal for creating the new protocol. Extensive computer processing allows converting these readings into detailed images, which can be analyzed for three-dimensional reconstructions, enhancing diagnostic capabilities while prioritizing patient safety.
It is important to note that while single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) is mentioned as an imaging modality with good contrast, it has a spatial resolution that is relatively poor, about 1 cm, and is heavily based on the use of radiopharmaceuticals. As such, SPECT would not be the optimal choice for the requested low-dose CT protocol intended for young pediatric patients.