Abstract: A mobile PET imager and method for the same is provided. The mobile PET imager includes a plurality of detector modules forming a ring detector, each for nuclear radiation detection. The imager may include a plurality of attenuation source housings including sources for attenuation such that each attenuation source housing is placed between two of the detector modules. A plurality of channel cards for processing data from the plurality of detector modules may be in the imager so that each channel card is shared by more than one of the detector modules. The imager may include at least one channel card for processing data from the detector modules and at least one resistor network acting as preamplifier, coupling to the detector modules and the channel card such that the channel card is mounted on the detector module in layer.

Abstract: A mobile PET imager and method for the same is provided. The mobile PET imager includes a plurality of detector modules forming a ring detector, each for nuclear radiation detection. The imager may include a plurality of attenuation source housings including sources for attenuation such that each attenuation source housing is placed between two of the detector modules. A plurality of channel cards for processing data from the plurality of detector modules may be in the imager so that each channel card is shared by more than one of the detector modules. The imager may include at least one channel card for processing data from the detector modules and at least one resistor network acting as preamplifier, coupling to the detector modules and the channel card such that the channel card is mounted on the detector module in layer.

Abstract: A system for medical imaging and a patient support system for medical diagnosis are provided. The system includes a gantry mounted on the base. The gantry has an annular support. A detector head is fixed to the inner surface of the annular support. The annular support rotates along an axis of the inner space, and is prevented from moving in horizontal and vertical direction and moving angularly. The patient support system has a patient bed system having a plurality of configurations. The contact surface of the patient has a couch back support, a thigh support and a leg support. A controller is provided for angular movements of the supports, and for vertical/horizontal movements of the supports.

Abstract: A system for medical imaging and a patient support system for medical diagnosis are provided. The system includes a gantry mounted on the base. The gantry has an annular support. A detector head is fixed to the inner surface of the annular support. The annular support rotates along an axis of the inner space, and is prevented from moving in horizontal and vertical direction and moving angularly. The patient support system has a patient bed system having a plurality of configurations. The contact surface of the patient has a couch back support, a thigh support and a leg support. A controller is provided for angular movements of the supports, and for vertical/horizontal movements of the supports.

Abstract: A system for medical diagnosis is provided. The system includes a gantry mounted on the base. The gantry has an annular support, which defines a cylindrical inner space. A detector head is fixed to the inner surface of the annular support. The annular support rotates along an axis of the inner space and is prevented from moving in horizontal and vertical direction and moving angularly. The system has a patient bed system, which is detachably attached to the base, and has a contact surface for supporting the patient. Pivot mechanism(s) and adjustable arm(s) enable the contact surface to have a plurality of configurations.

Abstract: A system for medical diagnosis is provided. The system includes a gantry mounted on the base. The gantry has an annular support, which defines a cylindrical inner space. A detector head is fixed to the inner surface of the annular support. The annular support rotates along an axis of the inner space and is prevented from moving in horizontal and vertical direction and moving angularly. The system has a patient bed system, which is detachably attached to the base, and has a contact surface for supporting the patient. Pivot mechanism(s) and adjustable arm(s) enable the contact surface to have a plurality of configurations.

Abstract: A method of localizing a scintillation event in a scintillation camera is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for medical imaging and a patient support system for medical diagnosis are provided. The system includes a gantry mounted on the base. The gantry has an annular support. A detector head is fixed to the inner surface of the annular support. The annular support rotates along an axis of the inner space, and is prevented from moving in horizontal and vertical direction and moving angularly. The patient support system has a patient bed system having a plurality of configurations. The contact surface of the patient has a couch back support, a thigh support and a leg support. A controller is provided for angular movements of the supports, and for vertical/horizontal movements of the supports.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a relative distance between a patient's body and a camera head in a medical imaging system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises (a) a light source provided at one side of a field of view, which is defined by a camera surface of the camera head, and (b) a light detector provided at the other side of the field of view. The light detector is adapted to detect a light beam emitted by the light source. The apparatus includes means for adjusting a relative distance between the patient's body and the camera surface by sensing an interruption or disturbance in the light beam caused by the patient's body approaching the camera surface to take a picture. A method of controlling a relative distance between a patient's body and a camera head in a medical imaging system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a relative distance between a patient's body and a camera head in a medical imaging system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises (a) a light source provided at one side of a field of view, which is defined by a camera surface of the camera head, and (b) a light detector provided at the other side of the field of view. The light detector is adapted to detect a light beam emitted by the light source. The apparatus includes means for adjusting a relative distance between the patient's body and the camera surface by sensing an interruption or disturbance in the light beam caused by the patient's body approaching the camera surface to take a picture. A method of controlling a relative distance between a patient's body and a camera head in a medical imaging system is also disclosed.

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 method of localizing a scintillation event in a scintillation camera is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing data in a scintillation camera having a plurality of photomultiplier tubes arranged in rows and columns. The method comprises steps of (a) summing output signals from the photomultiplier tubes of each row to provide a summed row signal for each row, (b) summing output signals from the photomultiplier tubes of each column to provide a summed column signal for each column, (c) selecting a largest summed row signal and a largest summed column signal from the summed row and column signals, and (d) determining at least three output signals to be required for computing the location of a scintillation event by using the largest summed row and summed column signals, whereby reducing the amount of data to be processed. The determining step can comprise steps of locating an X and Y coordinate corresponding to the largest summed row and summed column signals, and choosing the output signals from at least three photomultiplier tubes which surround the X and Y coordinate.

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 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: 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: 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 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.