Buying PET/CT & Nuclear on the secondary market
PET/CT value is driven by detector technology and crystal condition. Older BGO systems are inexpensive but slow; LSO and LYSO time-of-flight systems cost more and deliver the throughput a busy oncology service needs.
Because a PET/CT contains a full CT subsystem, evaluate both halves: crystal and photomultiplier or SiPM health on the PET side, tube hours and detector rows on the CT side.
Radiopharmaceutical supply, hot lab space, shielding and licensing usually determine whether a used PET/CT makes economic sense at all — check those before shopping.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a used PET/CT scanner cost?
Older BGO PET/CT systems often trade between roughly $150,000 and $350,000, while newer time-of-flight LSO or LYSO systems commonly run $400,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on detector generation and CT configuration.
What should I inspect on a used gamma camera?
Check crystal integrity for hydration damage or cracks, photomultiplier tube uniformity, detector head mechanics and collimator inventory, plus the age of the acquisition computer and whether its software is still supported.