Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a detector head for an imaging system. The detector head comprises a detector module comprising at least one detector element for detecting radiation and detector electronics, and a shaft to which the detector module is coupled, the detector module configured to rotate more than 360 degrees about the shaft in at least one direction.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine (NM) multi-head imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, plural detector units mounted to the gantry, and at least one processor operably coupled to at least one of the detector units. The detector units are mounted to the gantry. Each detector unit defines a detector unit position and corresponding view oriented toward a center of the bore. Each detector unit is configured to acquire imaging information over a sweep range corresponding to the corresponding view. The at least one processor is configured to, for each detector unit, determine plural angular positions along the sweep range corresponding to boundaries of the object to be imaged, generate a representation of each angular position for each detector unit position, generate a model based on the angular positions using the representation, and determine scan parameters to be used to image the object using the model.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine (NM) multi-head imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, plural detector units, and at least one processor. The gantry defines a bore configured to accept an object to be imaged. The plural detector units are mounted to the gantry. Each detector unit defines a corresponding view oriented toward a center of the bore, and is configured to acquire imaging information over a sweep range. The at least one processor is configured to dynamically determine at least one boundary of an acquisition range corresponding to an uptake value of the object to be imaged for at least one of the detector units. The acquisition range is smaller than sweep range. The at least one processor is also configured to control the at least one detector unit to acquire imaging information over the acquisition range.

Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a detector unit. The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The detector housing includes a shell and a shielding body. The shell defines at least a portion of a perimeter surrounding the shielding body, and includes an extrusion defining the at least a portion of a perimeter. The extrusion is formed from a first material that is configured for rigidity. The shielding body includes a second material configured to shield radiation. The detector unit is disposed within the cavity, and includes an absorption member and associated processing circuitry.

Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a detector unit The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The detector housing includes a shell and a shielding body. The shell defines at least a portion of a perimeter surrounding the shielding body, and includes an extrusion defining the at least a portion of a perimeter. The extrusion is formed from a first material that is configured for rigidity. The shielding body includes a second material configured to shield radiation. The detector unit is disposed within the cavity, and includes an absorption member and associated processing circuitry.

Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a rotor assembly. The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The rotor assembly includes a detector unit, a body, and a sealing member. The body defines an opening oriented in the imaging direction. The body is disposed at a distance from the detector housing within the cavity defining a passageway extending axially along the body. The sealing member includes a body extending across the opening. The sealing member is coupled to at least one of the shielding unit or the collimator, and is mounted within the cavity to provide a gas-tight seal along the imaging direction between the passageway and the detector unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for computed tomography (CT) imaging are provided. One method includes providing a patient table to move along an examination axis of a rotating gantry of a CT imaging system having at least one imaging detector. The imaging detector includes a pixelated detector array. The method further includes configuring the CT imaging system to perform an overlapping helical CT scan by controlling a speed of the moving patient table along the examination axis through a field of view (FOV) of the at least one imaging detector of the rotating gantry.

Abstract: A gantry system is provided. The gantry system may be used for acquiring image data and reconstructing the image data into output images. Image detectors include a detector arm and detector head. Image detectors are attached to a gantry in a compact configuration such that the image detector head may extend into the bore of a stator. The system can be a Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information.

Abstract: A system includes a detector and a main processing unit having an event processing module. The detector includes pixels to detect an event corresponding to photon absorption. The event processing module is configured to read event information for each event detected by each pixel of the detector in order of receipt from the detector and to compare an energy level value in the event information for each event to a predetermined range of energy level values. An event is counted when the energy level value is within the predetermined range of energy level values. For each event having an energy level below the predetermined range, the energy level value for a next consecutive event in the received event information is read and a combined energy level value of the event and the next consecutive event is determined as well as the pixel locations of the event and the next consecutive event.

Abstract: Imaging systems, methods, and computer readable mediums are provided. Image detectors are installed in a gantry to detect image information related to a subject. If obstructions are detected related to the field of view of an image detector, a system matrix can be updated accordingly. Thus, upon image reconstruction, artifacts related to obstructions can be minimized or altogether eliminated. This system can be a Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, a plurality of image detectors, an x-ray source, an adjustable source collimator, and at least one processor. The image detectors are radially spaced around a circumference of the bore such that gaps exist between adjacent image detectors. The x-ray source transmits x-rays across the bore towards at least two of the image detectors. The adjustable source collimator is interposed between the x-ray source and a center of the bore, and is configured to block a portion of the x-rays produced by the x-ray source The at least one processor is configured to control the adjustable source collimator to dynamically adjust a range of x-rays that are blocked by the adjustable source collimator along the fan angle during transmission of x-rays from the x-ray source and acquisition of computed tomography (CT) information.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided that includes a gantry having a bore extending therethrough; a plurality of image detectors attached to the gantry and radially spaced around a circumference of the bore such that gaps exist between image detectors along the circumference of the bore; an x-ray source attached to the gantry, wherein the x-ray source transmits x-rays across the bore towards at least two of the image detectors; wherein at least two image detectors detect both emission radiation and x-ray radiation.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a detector head for an imaging system. The detector head comprises a detector module comprising at least one detector element for detecting radiation and detector electronics, and a shaft to which the detector module is coupled, the detector module configured to rotate more than 360 degrees about the shaft in at least one direction.

Abstract: A customizable and upgradable imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The gantry can be partially populated with detector columns and the detector columns can be partially populated with detector elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling movement of detectors having multiple detector heads are provided. One system includes a gantry, a patient support structure supporting a patient table thereon, and a plurality of detector units. At least some of the detector units are rotatable to position the detector units at different angles relative to the patient table. The imaging system further includes a detector position controller configured to control the position of the rotatable detector units, wherein at least some of the rotatable detector units positioned adjacent to each other have an angle of rotation to allow movement of the rotatable detector units a distance greater than a gap between adjacent rotatable detector units The detector position controller is configured to calculate at least one of field of view avoidance information or collision avoidance information to determine an amount of movement for one or more of the rotatable detector units.

Abstract: A customizable and upgradable imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The gantry can be partially populated with detector columns and the detector columns can be partially populated with detector elements. The system can automatically adjust an imaging operation based on installation information related to partial population or other factors such as scan type or subject specific information. This system can be a Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information.

Abstract: A gantry system is provided. The gantry system may be used for acquiring image data and reconstructing the image data into output images. Image detectors include a detector arm and detector head. Image detectors are attached to a gantry in a compact configuration such that the image detector head may extend into the bore of a stator. The system can be a Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information.

Abstract: A customizable and upgradable imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The system can provide detector columns that include both high and low energy collimation. The detector columns may also use side shielding and adaptively disable detector elements based on emission information and shielding information. This system can be a Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for computed tomography (CT) imaging are provided. One method includes providing a patient table to move along an examination axis of a rotating gantry of a CT imaging system having at least one imaging detector. The imaging detector includes a pixelated detector array. The method further includes configuring the CT imaging system to perform an overlapping helical CT scan by controlling a speed of the moving patient table along the examination axis through a field of view (FOV) of the at least one imaging detector of the rotating gantry.

Abstract: Imaging systems, methods, and computer readable mediums are provided. Image detectors are installed in a gantry to detect image information related to a subject. If obstructions are detected related to the field of view of an image detector, a system matrix can be updated accordingly. Thus, upon image reconstruction, artifacts related to obstructions can be minimized or altogether eliminated. This system can be a Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information.