Abstract: A method for combined computed tomography (CT) imaging and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging uses respiration-gated CT imaging in which the optimal criteria for CT scan gating are determined after the PET scan has been performed. After acquisition of first CT scan image data and PET scan image data with strain gauge levels being recorded, optimal gating criteria are calculated based on the strain gauge levels, and a second CT scan is then performed with triggering in accordance with the optimal gating criteria.

Abstract: A system and method of determining a sampling rate for rendering a volumetric image, the method includes determining a regional variation value representing regional data, color, and/or alpha variation. An accumulated opacity value is determined that represents opacity accumulated over a ray in the image, and a regional opacity value is determined that represents regional opacity. A quality setting is accessed that represents a default image quality, and the sampling rate is adjusted as a function of the regional variation value, the accumulated opacity value, the regional opacity value, and the quality setting. The regional variation value may be determined by iteratively generating a maximum regional variation table during pre-processing, quantizing the maximum regional variation table where the transfer function is defined based on a histogram of the volumetric image, and computing the regional variation value using the maximum regional variation table.

Abstract: A method for reducing randoms variance in a Positron Emission Tomograph (PET) or Positron Emission Tomograph combined with another Medical Imaging device is disclosed. An average of an element of the randoms event (delayeds) sinogram may be estimated by dividing fan sums in delayeds sinogram by singles rates taken from headers of the delayeds sinogram.

Abstract: A room temperature trap for the purification and concentration of gaseous methane. The trap utilizes the adsorption and desorption properties of microporous spherical carbon molecular sieves to purify and concentrate radiolabelled methane for application in an automated synthesis module without the need for cryogenic cooling.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reconstructing a nuclear medical image from time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging data are disclosed. Measured three-dimensional (3D) TOF-PET data, including direct two-dimensional (2D) projections and oblique 3D projection data, are acquired from a PET scanner. A model 3D image is preset, a modeled 2D TOF sinogram is generated from the model 3D image, and a modeled 3D TOF sinogram is generated from the 2D TOF sinogram based on an exact inverse rebinning relation in Fourier space. The model 3D image is corrected based on the 3D TOF sinogram and is provided as the reconstructed nuclear medical image. Techniques disclosed herein are useful for facilitating efficient medical imaging, e.g., for diagnosis of various bodily conditions.

Abstract: A reference height calibration procedure obtains a reference error value, which can be used to adjust a height calibration parameter for registering the fields of view (FOVs) of the modules of a multi-modality medical imaging system such as a SPECT-CT imaging system.

Abstract: A system identifies when received packets are lost at a node in a multi-node processing chain. The system processing chain may include a gantry interface module for receiving coincident event data from a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) detector array, a DMA (direct memory access) rebinner card, and a transmission line coupled between the gantry interface module and the DMA card. FPGA and FIFO elements in each processing portion receive packets that may be lost if there is insufficient FIFO capacity. Lost packets are marked, discarded, and counted. At specified intervals, set in accordance with a threshold number of packets received a lost tally data packet is generated that includes count information for lost packets. The lost tally data packet is forwarded downstream when sufficient storage capacity exists.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for attaching the drive system and stand to a ring in a medicine gantry is disclosed. The mounting assembly includes at least one mounting bar (e.g., two mounting bars), at least one mounting plate and at least one adjuster (e.g., a screw). The mounting bar is securable to a portion of the ring. The mounting bar includes a base and at least one transverse face. At least a portion of the base is substantially parallel to a surface of a portion of the ring and at least a portion of the transverse face is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the portion of the ring. The mounting plate is secured to the drive system and is securable to the transverse face of the mounting bar. Movement of the adjuster moves the drive assembly relative to the mounting bar when the mounting plate is adjacent the transverse face of the mounting bar.

Abstract: Implementations of the present technology include error mitigation processes that determine gantry angle-dependent measures of detector deflections for a given class of systems using a first method, then determine gantry angle-independent deviations from the class measures using a second method on a specific system; then apply, to the specific system of the second method, the gantry angle-dependent class deflection results of the first method modified by the system-specific gantry angle independent deflections of the second method; and further include a system calibrated by such combinations of processes and computer program products for performing at least portions of the combination of processes.

Abstract: A phantom for use in quality control measurement of a fully integrated magnetic resonance/PET scanner is disclosed. The phantom features radiation activity distributed throughout an electrically conductive binder. Suitably, the binder is elastomeric and includes carbon fibers distributed throughout it to set the conductivity of the phantom to a desired level. The phantom is applicable to various multimodality integrated medical imaging systems such as MR/SPECT and MR/CT in addition to MR/PET.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a system for accommodating a solid target in an accelerator. The system and method includes a target changer having at least one port for accommodating the solid target, an insert for receiving the solid target in the target changer, a piston for providing a vacuum and a cooling system for the solid target, a cylinder for displacing the piston in one of three positions; and a bracket for securing the insert, piston and cylinder to the target changer.

Abstract: A method for efficiently rendering a chessboard artifact free Maximum intensity projection (MIP) image is disclosed is disclosed. MIP is a widely used volumetric rendering technology in medical diagnostic imaging. When a volume dataset containing wideband noise is rendered using MIP, the resultant MIP image can show chessboard or stripe like artifacts. A method is disclosed for automatically detecting stripe artifacts present in the MIP rendered images and to determine whether suitable mitigation algorithms need to be applied during rendering. This automatic detection method eliminates the need for human review of images to determine whether mitigation is required, and thus speeds the overall process.

Abstract: A system and method for rendering images, and performing operations such as windowing and leveling, when the parameters of a client appliance are known and rendering images when the parameters of a client appliance are unknown. The invention also considers the rendering from the client appliance perspective and the server appliance perspective.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a system for accommodating a solid target in an accelerator. The system and method includes a target changer having at least one port for accommodating the solid target, an insert for receiving the solid target in the target changer, a piston for providing a vacuum and a cooling system for the solid target, a cylinder for displacing the piston in one of three positions; and a bracket for securing the insert, piston and cylinder to the target changer.

Abstract: A method for processing an image which has the steps of a) receiving acquired data necessary to obtain an image and estimating a preliminary image; b) selecting at least one image element within the image; c) performing an iterative algorithm for processing the image at least on the at least one image element; d) computing a difference between the processed at least one image element and the at least one image element; and e) repeating the steps c) and d) until the difference is below a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A system for obtaining serial biochemical, anatomical or physiological in vivo measurements of disease from one or more medical images of a patient before, during and after treatment, and measuring extent and severity of the disease is provided. First anatomical and functional image data sets are acquired, and form a first co-registered composite image data set. At least a volume of interest (VOI) within the first co-registered composite image data set is identified. The first co-registered composite image data set including the VOI is qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed to determine extent and severity of the disease. Second anatomical and functional image data sets are acquired, and form a second co-registered composite image data set. A global, rigid registration is performed on the first and second anatomical image data sets, such that the first and second functional image data sets are also globally registered.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the scanning trajectory of a radiation detector device, e.g., a SPECT scanning device, about an object generally includes: obtaining object image data using a different imaging modality, e.g., a CT scanning device, determining a maximum object boundary based on the image data, calculating an optimal scan trajectory of the SPECT scanning device relative to the object based on the maximum object boundary, scanning the object with the SPECT scanning device along the optimal scan trajectory to detect gamma photons emanating from the object, from which an image can be reconstructed from the detected gamma photons. Preferably, the SPECT device includes at least two detectors arranged at a pre-selected angle relative to one another and the optimal scan trajectory minimizes the distance between the detectors and the object while maximizing the geometric efficiency of the detectors relative to the object.

Abstract: Methods of determining an acquisition time adapted to a region of interest for a nuclear imaging process of a patient include detecting radiation from at least a first viewing angle during a first test amount of time, generating first test data from the detected radiation, reconstructing a nuclear event distribution from the first test data, determining a test signal-to-noise ratio for the reconstructed nuclear event distribution within the region of interest, and determining the acquisition time using the test signal-to-noise ratio and the first test amount of time.

Abstract: A solid fiduciary marker for registering at least two images when imaging the same subject using distinct imaging devices is disclosed. The solid fiduciary marker is visible in at least two of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Planar gamma camera, X-ray CT, planar X-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and optical imager. The marker includes at least two of various doping compounds to be detected by the various imaging systems. The doping compounds include a positron emitting nuclide, a gamma emitting nuclide, a doping compound, metal, and a silicone-based polymer is used in association with an MRI device.

Abstract: A simple, low cost circuit with only passive components, and thus low power consumption, is provided for baseline restoration of an AC coupled signal. The circuit includes a passive network of diodes arranged in a star configuration and an RF-transformer. A differential signal strategy may be employed by including a differential amplifier at the input and output of the passive network.