Abstract: Method and apparatus for extending a count rate capability of a detector array. The method includes receiving photons at a detector array, counting the photons that are above a first energy threshold using a first counter, counting the photons that are above a different second energy threshold using a second counter, and calculating a pile-up estimate using the photon counts from the first and second counters.

Abstract: A system and method for a molecular breast imaging (MBI) are provided. One MBI system includes at least one cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector having a plurality of pixels and a registered parallel hole collimator coupled to a face of the CZT detector. The registered parallel hole collimator includes a plurality of collimator holes, wherein the plurality of collimator holes are aligned with the plurality of pixels, and the spatial dimensions of the plurality of holes are configured based on characteristics of the CZT detector and the registered parallel hole collimator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a shared charge in pixelated image detectors are provided. One method includes providing a plurality of pixels for a pixelated solid state photon detector in a configuration such that a charge distribution is detected by at least two pixels and obtaining charge information from the at least two pixels. The method further includes determining a position of an interaction of the charge distribution with the plurality of pixels based on the obtained charge information.

Abstract: A system and method for performing molecular imaging of an anatomy of interest is provided. The molecular imaging system includes a gantry, a first gamma camera coupled to the gantry, and a second gamma camera coupled to the gantry, the first and second cameras are positionable in an L-mode imaging configuration, the first and second gamma cameras are configured to immobilize an anatomy of interest there between in the L-mode configuration. The molecular imaging system is also configured to operate in an H-mode imaging configuration wherein the first and second gamma cameras are configured to immobilize an anatomy of interest there between in the H-mode configuration.

Abstract: A collimator for collimating high-energy photons, which may be used in medical imaging (e.g., nuclear medicine). The collimator has holes through the thickness (height) of the collimator, with the holes arranged in groups or clusters. The collimator may be used with a detector having an array of pixels, wherein each group of holes may be associated with a corresponding pixel, thereby providing multiple collimator holes per pixel. In one embodiment, each group of holes has septa of a given width separating the holes in that group, and each group of holes is separated from neighboring groups by septa of another, greater width. In another embodiment, the intra-group septa may be recessed from the top and/or bottom surface(s) of the collimator such that these septa have a smaller thickness (height) than the inter-group septa.

Abstract: Image reconstruction techniques for a medical imaging system are provided that include receiving pixel data from a gamma camera of an imaging system, and calculating a subsequent voxel value from the pixel data by subtracting an expected pixel value from a measured pixel value of the pixel data to produce a difference and correcting a previous voxel value by adding a weighted value of the difference to the previous voxel value. An imaging system is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating a nuclear medicine imaging system are provided. One method includes acquiring spatially determined non-uniform radiation flux information from a calibration scan of a calibration source using a gamma camera having an attached non-parallel-hole collimator. The method further includes determining a measured non-uniform count density profile from the acquired non-uniform radiation flux information. The method also includes creating a gamma camera uniformity correction map derived from (i) the measured non-uniform count density profile and (ii) a modeled or calculated non-uniform count density profile for calibrating the NM imaging system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a shared charge in pixelated image detectors are provided. One method includes providing a plurality of pixels for a pixelated solid state photon detector in a configuration such that a charge distribution is detected by at least two pixels and obtaining charge information from the at least two pixels. The method further includes determining a position of an interaction of the charge distribution with the plurality of pixels based on the obtained charge information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a nuclear medicine (NM) imaging system are provided that include an NM calibration source. The NM calibration source includes an isotope source having an energy spectrum with at least one energy peak and a fluorescence layer adjacent the isotope source creating at least one additional energy peak in the energy spectrum.

Abstract: A radiation detector includes a semiconductor crystal having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first electrode electrically coupled with the first surface of the semiconductor crystal to allow current to flow between the first electrode and the crystal, and an insulating layer on the first surface and between the semiconductor crystal and the first electrode so as to create a partially transmissive electrical barrier between the first electrode and the crystal. The insulating layer has a thickness ranging from about 50 nanometers to about 500 nanometers.

Abstract: Calibration techniques for a gamma camera of a medical imaging system are provided. The calibration of a gamma camera includes acquiring data from a patient at a gamma camera over a first interval, processing the received data to determine a pixel energy spectrum for each pixel of the data and a main energy peak location for each pixel based on the pixel energy spectrum, and calibrating the gamma camera based on the main energy peak location. Imaging systems implementing the calibration techniques are also provided.

Abstract: Image reconstruction techniques for a medical imaging system are provided that include receiving pixel data from a gamma camera of an imaging system, and calculating a subsequent voxel value from the pixel data by subtracting an expected pixel value from a measured pixel value of the pixel data to produce a difference and correcting a previous voxel value by adding a weighted value of the difference to the previous voxel value. An imaging system is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for a molecular breast imaging (MBI) are provided. One MBI system includes at least one cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector having a plurality of pixels and a registered parallel hole collimator coupled to a face of the CZT detector. The registered parallel hole collimator includes a plurality of collimator holes, wherein the plurality of collimator holes are aligned with the plurality of pixels, and the spatial dimensions of the plurality of holes are configured based on characteristics of the CZT detector and the registered parallel hole collimator.

Abstract: A gamma camera for use in a molecular imaging system includes a housing, a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) camera disposed within the housing, and at least one retractable wall coupled to the housing and adapted to secure an anatomy of interest in a field-of-view of the gamma camera. The gamma camera also includes a chamfered edge to enable the gamma camera to contact a second gamma camera when the gamma camera is positioned in an L-mode imaging configuration.

Abstract: A method of detecting ionizing radiation is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an existence, uptake, size and location of a lesion within a breast is provided. The system includes a first detector and a second detector. The breast is positioned between the first detector and the second detector. The first detector acquires a first image data set of the lesion and the second detector acquires a second image data set of the lesion. The system also includes a existence, uptake, size and location determining program that uses the first image data set and the second image data set to calculate existence, uptake, size and location information for the lesion and determines a existence, uptake, size and location of the lesion within the breast based on the calculated existence, uptake, size and location information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating a nuclear medicine imaging are provided. One method includes acquiring spatially determined non-uniform radiation flux information from a calibration scan of a calibration source using a gamma camera having an attached non-parallel-hole collimator. The method further includes determining a measured non-uniform count density profile from the acquired non-uniform radiation flux information. The method also includes creating a gamma camera uniformity correction map derived from (i) the measured non-uniform count density profile and (ii) a modeled or calculated non-uniform count density profile for calibrating the NM imaging system.

Abstract: A system and method for a molecular breast imaging (MBI) are provided. One MBI system includes at least one cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector having a plurality of pixels and a registered parallel hole collimator coupled to a face of the CZT detector. The registered parallel hole collimator includes a plurality of collimator holes, wherein the plurality of collimator holes are aligned with the plurality of pixels, and the spatial dimensions of the plurality of holes are configured based on characteristics of the CZT detector and the registered parallel hole collimator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for extending a count rate capability of a detector array. The method includes receiving photons at a detector array, counting the photons that are above a first energy threshold using a first counter, counting the photons that are above a different second energy threshold using a second counter, and calculating a pile-up estimate using the photon counts from the first and second counters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a shared charge in pixelated image detectors are provided. One method includes providing a plurality of pixels for a pixelated solid state photon detector in a configuration such that a charge distribution is detected by at least two pixels and obtaining charge information from the at least two pixels. The method further includes determining a position of an interaction of the charge distribution with the plurality of pixels based on the obtained charge information.