Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the nonuniform attenuation caused by a patient's body in scintillation cameras is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gantry having an annular support, a radiation source mounted on the annular support for emitting a radiation which is incident on the patients body, a dedicated radiation detector mounted on the annular support in opposed relation to the radiation source for detecting the radiation transmitted through the patient's body and a mechanism for rotating the annular support around the patient's body. The annular support defines at the center a cylindrical space where the patient's body is located along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical space. The radiation source and radiation detector are rotated by 180 degrees around the longitudinal direction of the patients body while the radiation source scans the patient in the transversal direction such that the radiation attenuation in all directions around the patient's body can be measured.

Abstract: A scintillation camera using the dual scintillation detector head is disclosed. The scintillation camera can include two dual scintillation detector heads, which are fixed in opposition to each other. The camera can include a dual scintillation detector head and a single scintillation detector head, which are also fixed in opposed relation to each other. The dual scintillation detector head has two scintillation detectors, which are fixed relative to each other, preferably fixed substantially at 90 degrees to each other. Each scintillation detector has a plurality of photomultiplier tubes, a collimator, and a scintillation medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for mammography is disclosed. The apparatus comprises (a) a bed structure having a patient platform on which a patient lies face down, the patient platform having at least one opening through which the breast of the patient hangs down, (b) a mechanism for holding the breast hanging down through the opening, and (c) a camera for taking a mammographic image of the breast held by the mechanism. The camera includes two scintillation cameras fixed relative to each other in the form of V-shape to accommodate both breasts of the patient simultaneously. The breast holding mechanism includes a breast container for gently accommodating the breast of the patient without causing any pain. The patient platform can rotate, together with the breast container, relative to the camera for three-dimensional imaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the image quality of positron emission tomography is disclosed. This is achieved by analyzing individual photomultiplier tubes for true events. The apparatus includes a photomultiplier tube for generating a photomultiplier tube signal. A series of pull up resistors generates a code signal identifying the photomultiplier tube. A clock generates a time stamp to the photomultiplier tube signal. A bus buffer generates an encoded signal. A position computing device calculates the position of the photomultiplier tube. An image computer generates an image from a plurality of encoded signals. A display displays the image. Analyzing data from individual photomultiplier tubes results in smaller areas and smaller amounts of data to be processed. This then permits smaller time frame windows to be used. The use of time stamps also permits data before and after an event to be recorded.

Abstract: An image generation method in a scintillation camera relates to a scintillation camera having a collimator for collimating gamma rays, a scintillation crystal for generating a light scintillation upon receiving a gamma ray, an array of photomultiplier tubes for receiving the generated light scintillation and for generating electrical signals according to amount and position of light received, and a display comprising pixels for displaying an image corresponding to an interpretation of the electrical signals received by the photomultiplier tubes. The method for interpreting the electrical signals received from an array of photomultiplier tubes includes the steps of: receiving electrical signals from the array of photomultiplier tubes; applying a first algorithm to generate a first calculated event position; assigning the first calculated event position to a pixel; applying a second algorithm to generate a second calculated event position; assigning the second calculated event position to a pixel.

Abstract: A data reducer for a scintillation camera is applied when photomultiplier tubes in an array thereof generate output signals following a flash of light from a scintillator. The output signal from a given photomultiplier tube is connected to an integrating preamplifier circuit. Each output signal is connected to an analog to digital converter, to a row amplifier circuit and to a column amplifier circuit. The signal from the analog to digital converter is provided via a bus to a data processor. The output signal of the data processor is set according to operational requirements, and then provided to a digital to analog converter. The signal from the row amplifier circuit is provided to a row summing circuit. The signal from the column amplifier circuit is provided to a column summing circuit. The respective signals from the row summing circuit and the column summing circuit are provided to an energy analyser. The energy analyser ensures that the signal is the result of a gamma event.

Abstract: A patient support is designed for use with a scintillation camera that includes a vertically oriented annular rotating support having an axis, and an elongate support extending from the rotating support for supporting a detector head, the rotating support including a coaxial inner surface defining an orifice. The patient support includes a patient stretcher for supporting a patient in a horizontal position substantially parallel to the axis of the rotating support. The patient support also includes a detached support for horizontally supporting the patient stretcher on a ground surface. The detached support includes a first stretcher support for supporting the patient stretcher and for positioning the patient stretcher relative to the rotating support. The patient support also includes an engaged support for horizontally supporting the patient stretcher on the inner surface of the cylindrical support such that the patient stretcher remains unaffected by the rotation of the rotating support.