Abstract: A SPECT scanner for making images of an object using gamma radiation comprises a collimator that extends along a longitudinal direction around an object space and that comprises a set of pinholes for the gamma radiation, a detection device for gamma radiation that is allowed to pass through from the object space by the pinholes, and an object carrier for bringing the object into the object space along the longitudinal direction. At least one pinhole is provided in a pinhole body that is rotatable in the collimator around an axis of rotation. Because the pinholes themselves rather than the collimator are made rotatable, the entire object space with the object therein can be advantageously scanned without having to move the object. The properties of the collimator can also easily be adjusted, even during scanning.

Abstract: A gamma camera device includes a collimator with pinholes which surrounds an object space for receiving an object, a detector surface for detecting gamma radiation emitted by the object and passing through pinholes of the collimator, and a controller for processing the detector signals into an image of the object. The collimator and the object space have a common longitudinal axis, wherein the collimator includes a plurality of groups each of multiple pinholes with a central line. In each group, the pinholes lie in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the pinholes of the groups together see a focus volume, which focus volume has a geometric center. Within each group, on a rotation around said longitudinal axis, the respective central line of each of said pinholes becomes congruent with the central line of each of the other pinholes of the group.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus for producing an x-ray image of an object, includes a support frame to which an x-ray source and an x-ray detector are connected. The x-ray source and the x-ray detector define between them an object space for the object to be examined. The x-ray source is configured to emit from a focal spot an x-ray beam with a main direction into the object space. The x-ray detector includes an array of pixels sensitive to the x-ray radiation. The x-ray imaging apparatus further includes a collimator arranged in proximity to the x-ray source and in the path of the x-ray beam between the x-ray source and the object to be examined. The collimator includes one or more collimator bodies defining a plurality of passages of the collimator, the passages having respective central directions defining a common focal point of the collimator on the side of the x-ray source, preferably a 2D array of passages seen in a plane perpendicular to the main direction of the x-ray beam.

Abstract: A SPECT scanner for making images of an object using gamma radiation comprises a collimator that extends along a longitudinal direction around an object space and that comprises a set of pinholes for the gamma radiation, a detection device for gamma radiation that is allowed to pass through from the object space by the pinholes, and an object carrier for bringing the object into the object space along the longitudinal direction. At least one pinhole is provided in a pinhole body that is rotatable in the collimator around an axis of rotation. Because the pinholes themselves rather than the collimator are made rotatable, the entire object space with the object therein can be advantageously scanned without having to move the object. The properties of the collimator can also easily be adjusted, even during scanning.

Abstract: An imaging system for obtaining images of a patient includes a first scanning device, for example a CT scanner or an MRI scanner, and a second scanning device, being a SPECT scanner device. A mover mechanism moves a patient carrier in a first direction into the first imaging space of the first scanning device. The SPECT scanner device is positioned behind the first scanning device. The mover mechanism moves the patient carrier further in the first direction into the SPECT imaging space. The SPECT scanner device includes a housing accommodating a set of detectors. The imaging system further includes a plurality of exchangeable collimator assemblies with a first and a second collimator assembly, the assemblies having different imaging properties. The SPECT scanner device is configured for removal and introduction of each one of said plurality of exchangeable collimator assemblies at a side of the housing thereof that faces away from the first scanning device.

Abstract: A detection apparatus for detecting high energy radiation, preferably for detecting gamma radiation, coming from a source of high energy radiation in a detection volume, e.g. from one or more particles emitting high energy radiation. The apparatus comprises at least one detection surface configured to convert incident high energy radiation into a detection signal, and a collimator system comprising at least three collimator slits. Each collimator slit is arranged to project high energy radiation coming from a respective slit field of view of said detection volume onto said detection surface. At least two of said collimator slits extend in non-parallel directions and the respective slit fields of view of said at least two non-parallel collimator slits and the slit field of view of any other of said at least three collimator slits overlap and define a common detection volume of the detection apparatus.

Abstract: A scanner for scanning a body part of a human, such as, for example, a breast of a woman includes a supporting part for the upper body of a human, a receiving space for the body part to be scanned, possibly a compression device for pressing against the body part introduced into the receiving space, and a camera which is arranged to form an image of the body part introduced into the receiving space and pressed against by the compression device, with the aid of high-energy radiation emitted by the body part. The camera includes a collimator having a movable collimator part which has an incident surface facing towards the receiving space. The collimator defines and delimits an astigmatic, two-dimensional collection of radiation channels for the high-energy radiation.

Abstract: A gamma radiation breast imaging apparatus, comprising an object positioning device, defining an imaging space and having as an intended insertion direction of the breast to be imaged, and a gamma camera positioned to image a volume in said imaging space. The gamma camera comprises a collimator with a first plurality of focused pinholes, the individual fields of view of the first pinholes defining a common central field of view having a geometrical center. The apparatus also has a gamma sensitive detector to receive images from the collimator. The first pinholes are provided non-symmetrically with respect to a first plane through said geometrical center that is perpendicular to the collimator and parallel to said intended insertion direction. Hereby, more angular information about the scanned volume can be obtained for the same detector size, in particular when combined with a similar opposite camera.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation detection device (1) for obtaining an image of a part of a test animal or human using high-energy radiation, comprising a detection chamber, a plurality of pinholes distributed all around the detection chamber over at least one pinhole wall, at least one framing wall having an opening for the high-energy radiation, at least one detector which is designed for detecting high-energy radiation, in which a plurality of image fields are provided on the at least one detector, in each case having one beam path from a part of the detection chamber to at least one detector, in which at least one of the at least one pinhole wall and the at least one framing wall is displaceable in such a manner that at least one of the plurality of image fields can be modified in size and/or direction. This provides the possibility to image an object at several angles, or to image a larger or a different part thereof, so that the entire device can be used in a more flexible manner.

Abstract: The invention provides a gamma detection device, a collimator for use therein, and use of such a collimator or device in imaging an object. The invention is directed to pinhole imaging with high energy photons, such as 511 keV photons. In order to achieve sufficiently low pinhole knife edge penetration, the collimator uses a plurality of focused clusters of pinholes, each with a smaller opening angle, and arranged such that all the combined fields of view of the individual pinholes in all clusters provide a large central field of view with still compact dimensions of the detection device. This is made possible since the field of view of a single cluster is divided up into a number of individual fields of view.

Abstract: A gamma radiation imaging apparatus, in particular a gamma radiation breast imaging apparatus, comprising an object positioning device (10), defining an imaging space for the object to be imaged (v), and a gamma camera positioned to image a volume in said imaging space, wherein the object positioning device comprises a frame having at least two plates (12), with the imaging space there between, wherein at least one of the plates is movably mounted to said frame in a direction substantially towards another plate of the at least two plates, and wherein the plates are arranged to contact the object (30) when positioned between said plates, and wherein the gamma camera comprises a collimator (21) with at least one pinhole, and a gamma sensitive detector arranged to receive images from the collimator, wherein the collimator is positioned in a plane substantially parallel to one of the plates and is movable in said plane, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a collimator mover means (26) arranged to controll

Abstract: A scintillation camera includes a scintillation material which is capable of converting high-energy radiation incident thereon and having a wavelength of X-ray radiation or shorter into optical radiation, at least one position-sensitive detector capable of detecting the optical radiation, and at least one bundle of light guides which is located in front of the detector, characterized in that the bundle of light guides is located between the detector and the scintillation material. As a result of the scintillation material being provided as a separate unit, optionally including non-scintillating light guides, selection of the materials of each of the two parts can be optimized. Thus, for example, the scintillation material is no longer hygroscopic or subject to restrictions because of the need to grow it in parallel bundles.

Abstract: The invention provides a detection device and a method of making a gamma detection image. The detection device comprises a gamma camera and an additional camera, that can make an image of the object outside the gamma detection space. Through correlating the positions of the object with respect to the first and the second camera, the images therefrom may also be correlated. The correlation of the images allows quick and accurate navigation through the object.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation detection device (1) for obtaining an image of a part of a test animal or human using high-energy radiation, comprising a detection chamber, a plurality of pinholes distributed all around the detection chamber over at least one pinhole wall, at least one framing wall having an opening for the high-energy radiation, at least one detector which is designed for detecting high-energy radiation, in which a plurality of image fields are provided on the at least one detector, in each case having one beam path from a part of the detection chamber to at least one detector, in which at least one of the at least one pinhole wall and the at least one framing wall is displaceable in such a manner that at least one of the plurality of image fields can be modified in size and/or direction. This provides the possibility to image an object at several angles, or to image a larger or a different part thereof, so that the entire device can be used in a more flexible manner.

Abstract: The invention provides a gamma detection device, a collimator for use therein, and use of such a collimator or device in imaging an object. The invention is directed to pinhole imaging with high energy photons, such as 511 keV photons. In order to achieve sufficiently low pinhole knife edge penetration, the collimator uses a plurality of focused clusters of pinholes, each with a smaller opening angle, and arranged such that all the combined fields of view of the individual pinholes in all clusters provide a large central field of view with still compact dimensions of the detection device. This is made possible since the field of view of a single cluster is divided up into a number of individual fields of view.