Abstract: The present 3D-Flow OPRA is a revolutionary electronic instrument for multiple applications: advancing science, saving lives, finding and tracking fast moving objects, etc. It allows to build a flexible, scalable, technology-independent, cost-effective powerful tool to uncover the unknown and to confirm or exclude the existence of a subatomic particle predicted by theoretical physicists. When used for Medical Imaging applications the 3D-Flow OPRA allows to accurately measure minimum abnormal biological processes of diseases at an early curable stage such as cancer in a 3D-CBS (3-D Complete Body Screening), improving diagnosis and prognosis to maximize reduction of premature deaths and minimize cost per each life saved. It is capable of executing programmable pattern recognition algorithms in real-time of multidimensional objects by analyzing in a single crate of electronics of 36 cubic cm, ALL data arriving at ultra-high speed from a matrix of thousands of transducers at over 20 TB/sec with zero dead-time.

Abstract: A single channel or multi-channel system that requires the execution time of a pipeline stage to be extended to a time longer than the time interval between two consecutive input data. Each processor in the system has an input and output port connected to a “bypass switch” (or multiplexer). Input date is sent either to a processor, for processing, or to a processor output port, in which case no processing is performed, through a register using at least one clock cycle to move date from register input to register output. For a single channel requiring an execution time twice the time interval between two consecutive input data, two processors are interconnected by the bypass switch. Data flows from the first processor at the input of the system, through the bypass switches of the interconnected processors, to the output. The bypass switches are configures with respect to the processors such that the system data rate is independent of processor number.

Abstract: A single channel or multi-channel system that requires the execution time of a pipeline stage to be extended to a time longer than the time interval between two consecutive input data. Each processor in the system has an input and output port connected to a “bypass switch” (or multiplexer). Input date is sent either to a processor, for processing, or to a processor output port, in which case no processing is performed, through a register using at least one clock cycle to move date from register input to register output. For a single channel requiring an execution time twice the time interval between two consecutive input data, two processors are interconnected by the bypass switch. Data flows from the first processor at the input of the system, through the bypass switches of the interconnected processors, to the output. The bypass switches are configures with respect to the processors such that the system data rate is independent of processor number.

Abstract: A gantry system for geometrically configuring a plurality of detectors for image scanning a patient comprises a plurality of essentially planar sensor support rings forming a barrel surrounding a central scanning area. Each ring is formed by opposing upper and lower semi-elliptical array supports, and each array support is configured to support a plurality of adjustable detector assemblies. Each array support is adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the barrel, and collectively define an imaging field of view that is configurable by separately adjusting one or more of the array supports. Upper array supports are also preferably moveable in a generally perpendicular direction with respect to longitudinal axis, e.g., to optimize position of the detector assemblies with respect to a patient, to provide for easier patient entry and/or to provide for scans of claustrophobic or obese patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for efficiently and cost effectively determining an accurate depth of interaction for a crystal that may be used for correcting parallax error and repositioning LORs for more clear and accurate imaging. The present invention is directed to a detector assembly having a thin sensor (e.g., APD) deployed in front of the detector (the side where the radioactive source is located and the photon is arriving to hit the detector) and a second sensor (APD or photomultiplier) on the opposite side of the detector. The light captured by the two interior and exterior sensors which is proportional to the energy of the incident photon and to the distance where the photon was absorbed by the detector with respect to the location of the two sensors, is converted into an electrical signal and interpolated for finding the distance from the two sensors which is proportional to the location where the photon hit the detector.

Abstract: A body scanning system includes a CT transmitter and a PET configured to radiate along a significant portion of the body and a plurality of sensors configured to detect photons along the same portion of the body. In order to facilitate the efficient collection of photons and to process the data on a real time basis, the body scanning system includes a new data processing pipeline that includes a sequentially implemented parallel processor that is operable to create images in real time notwithstanding the significant amounts of data generated by the CT and PET radiating devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method and software program product for implementing 3-D Complete-Body-Screening medical imaging which combines the benefits of the functional imaging capability of PET with those of the anatomical imaging capability of CT. The present invention enables execution of more complex algorithms measuring more accurately the information obtained from the collision of a photon with a detector. The present invention overcomes input and coincidence bottlenecks inherent in the prior art by implementing a massively parallel, layered architecture with separate processor stacks for handling each channel. The prior art coincidence bottleneck is overcome by limiting coincidence comparisons to those with a time stamp occurring within a predefined time window. The increased efficiency provides the bandwidth necessary for increasing the throughput even more by extending the FOV to over one meter in length and the execution of even more complex algorithms.

Abstract: A system extends the execution time of a pipeline stage to a time longer than the time interval between two consecutive input data. Each processor in the system has an input and output port connected to a “bypass switch” (or multiplexer). Input data is sent either to a processor, for processing, or to a processor output port, in which case no processing is performed, through a register using at least one clock cycle to move data from register input to register output. For a single channel requiring an execution time twice the time interval between two consecutive input data, two processors are interconnected by the bypass switch. Data flows from the first processor at the input of the system, through the “bypass switches” of the interconnected processors, to output. The “bypass switches” are configured with respect to the processors such that the system data rate is independent of processor number.

Abstract: A body scanning system includes a CT transmitter and a PET configured to radiate along a significant portion of the body and a plurality of sensors (202, 204) configured to detect photons along the same portion of the body. In order to facilitate the efficient collection of photons and to process the data on a real time basis, the body scanning system includes a new data processing pipeline that includes a sequentially implemented parallel processor (212) that is operable to create images in real time not withstanding the significant amounts of data generated by the CT and PET radiating devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for efficiently and cost effectively determining an accurate depth of interaction for a crystal that may be used for correcting parallax error and repositioning LORs for more clear and accurate imaging. The present invention is directed to a detector assembly having a thin sensor (e.g., APD) deployed in front of the detector (the side where the radioactive source is located and the photon is arriving to hit the detector) and a second sensor (APD or photomultiplier) on the opposite side of the detector. The light captured by the two interior and exterior sensors which is proportional to the energy of the incident photon and to the distance where the photon was absorbed by the detector with respect to the location of the two sensors, is converted into an electrical signal and interpolated for finding the distance from the two sensors which is proportional to the location where the photon hit the detector.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for providing geometrically configurable mechanical support for PET detector arrays. This apparatus or gantry has upper and lower array support members in semi-arc shape. These support members disperse the load and transmit the weight to load-bearing structures of the gantry. The upper and lower support members may be separated to allow more configurations. The upper and lower support members support multiple cross-sectional FOV (field of view) detector arrays. Additionally, the FOV arrays, supported by the upper and lower support members, are separately geometrically configurable. The configurability of the upper and lower support members coupled with the separately configurable arrays allows virtually infinite geometric configurability. This allows ease of use of the PET scan device with individuals or subjects that will not fit through a fixed-aperture device or have shapes where configuration of the FOV array is necessary for optimal interaction detection.

Abstract: An array of processors, each having a data input for receiving raw data, and other data input ports for receiving data for other processors of the plurality. Each processor processes data according to an algorithm programmed therein, and either passes the processed data or raw data to the other processors. By using a three dimensional array of processors, data from a large number of inputs can be processed in a high speed manner and funneled to a smaller number of outputs. An efficient microcode and processor architecture allows high speed processing of data using very few clock cycles, and can pass raw data to another processor in a single clock cycle.

Abstract: The present device provides for a dynamically configurable communication network having a multi-processor parallel processing system having a serial communication network and a high speed parallel communication network. The serial communication network is used to disseminate commands from a master processor (100) to a plurality of slave processors (200) to effect communication protocol, to control transmission of high density data among nodes and to monitor each slave processor's status. The high speed parallel processing network is used to effect the transmission of high density data among nodes in the parallel processing system. Each node comprises a transputer (104), a digital signal processor (114), a parallel transfer controller (106), and two three-port memory devices. A communication switch (108) within each node (100) connects it to a fast parallel hardware channel (70) through which all high density data arrives or leaves the node.

Abstract: A medical X-ray image detecting device arranged such that an X-ray image sensor comprising an x-ray fluorescent element, a solid-state image pickup device and a plurality of optical fiber bundles for optically connecting the fluorescent surface of the X-ray fluorescent element to the image pickup surface of the image pickup device, is housed in an outer casing, the medical image detecting device being characterized in that it further comprises an X-ray intensity detecting element disposed in the casing adjacent to the X-ray fluorescent element. Clear X-ray images with a constant blackening degree can be obtained by controlling X-ray radiation time using the X-ray dose calculated by integrating the X-ray intensity output from the X-ray intensity detecting element with respect to X-ray exposure time.