Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images is described herein. The apparatus may include a column attached to a gantry. The column may include a movable section and a radiation detector disposed in the movable section. The apparatus may include a weight compensation unit to apply a force on the movable section opposite to a force of gravity associated with at least the movable section and the radiation detector.

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: An imaging system is provided including a gantry, a bed, nuclear medicine (NM) imaging detectors, and a processing unit. The NM imaging detectors are disposed about the bore of the gantry. The processing unit is operably coupled to the imaging detectors, and is configured to acquire first NM imaging information of the object with the imaging detectors in a first axial position, iteratively actuate the gantry in a series of steps between the first axial position and the second axial position, acquire additional NM imaging information of the object at each of the steps, and reconstruct an image of the object using the first NM imaging information and the additional NM imaging 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 gantry can be partially populated with detector columns and the detector columns can be partially populated with detector elements.

Abstract: A detector arm assembly is provided that includes a stator, a detector head, a radial motion motor, and a detector head belt. The stator is configured to be fixedly coupled to a gantry having a bore. The detector head includes a carrier section that is slidably coupled to the stator and configured to be movable in a radial direction in the bore relative to the stator. The radial motion motor is operably coupled to at least one of the detector head or the stator. The detector head belt is operably coupled to the radial motion motor and the carrier section. Rotation of the radial motion motor causes movement of the detector head in the radial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images is described herein. The apparatus may include a column attached to a gantry. The column may include a movable section and a radiation detector disposed in the movable section. The apparatus may include a weight compensation unit to apply a force on the movable section opposite to a force of gravity associated with at least the movable section and the radiation detector.

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 medical 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 automatically adjust setup configuration and an imaging operation based on subject shape estimation 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: 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: An imaging system comprises a plurality of imaging detectors for acquiring imaging data. The plurality of imaging detectors is configurable to be arranged proximate to an anatomy of interest within a patient. Each of the plurality of imaging detectors has a field of view (FOV) and at least a portion of the plurality of imaging detectors image the anatomy of interest within the respective FOV. A processor receives the imaging data and processes the imaging data to form a multi-dimensional dataset having at least three dimensions.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided including a plurality of detector units and a controller. The plurality of detector units are distributed about a bore. The bore is configured to accept an object to be imaged, and the detector units are radially articulable within the bore. The controller is operably coupled to the plurality of detector units and configured to control the positioning of the detector units. The controller is configured to position an external group of the plurality of detector units at a predetermined intermediate position corresponding to a ring having a radius corresponding to a total number of detector units, and to position an internal group of the plurality of detector units radially inside the ring.

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: An imaging system comprises a plurality of imaging detectors for acquiring imaging data. The plurality of imaging detectors is configurable to be arranged proximate to an anatomy of interest within a patient. Each of the plurality of imaging detectors has a field of view (FOV) and at least a portion of the plurality of imaging detectors image the anatomy of interest within the respective FOV. A processor receives the imaging data and processes the imaging data to form a multi-dimensional dataset having at least three dimensions.

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 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: 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.