Abstract: A molecular imaging method for guidance in biopsy or surgical procedures includes selecting and inputting two different slant angles for stereotactic molecular imaging of a hot spot, positioning a patient to whom a radiotracer has been administered in a molecular imaging system including a solid-state gamma camera and a variable-angle square hole (VASH) collimator, acquiring two stereotactic molecular images with the VASH collimator, each of the two stereotactic molecular images being acquired when the VASH collimator is adjusted to a different one of the two different slant angles, calculating a 3D position of a hot spot, and performing a molecular image-guided biopsy procedure on the basis of the calculated 3D position. In acquiring the two stereotactic molecular images, the VASH collimator is positioned such that the two different slant angles are in a plane generally parallel (that is, within 30 degrees of parallel) to a coronal plane of the patient.

Abstract: A method for molecular image acquisition includes beginning acquisition of a molecular image via a molecular imaging system, performing one or more analyses of the molecular image during acquisition of the molecular image to determine whether at least one hot spot is present in the image, and if it is determined that it is statistically significant that there is either at least one hot spot present or there is not at least one hot spot present in the image in any one of the one or more analyses of the molecular image, performing at least one of providing a recommendation that the acquisition be stopped or stopping the acquisition automatically.

Abstract: A method for molecular image acquisition includes beginning acquisition of a molecular image via a molecular imaging system, performing one or more analyses of the molecular image during acquisition of the molecular image to determine whether at least one hot spot is present in the image, and if it is determined that it is statistically significant that there is either at least one hot spot present or there is not at least one hot spot present in the image in any one of the one or more analyses of the molecular image, performing at least one of providing a recommendation that the acquisition be stopped or stopping the acquisition automatically.

Abstract: A molecular imaging method for guidance in biopsy or surgical procedures includes selecting and inputting two different slant angles for stereotactic molecular imaging of a hot spot, positioning a patient to whom a radiotracer has been administered in a molecular imaging system including a solid-state gamma camera and a variable-angle square hole (VASH) collimator, acquiring two stereotactic molecular images with the VASH collimator, each of the two stereotactic molecular images being acquired when the VASH collimator is adjusted to a different one of the two different slant angles, calculating a 3D position of a hot spot, and performing a molecular image-guided biopsy procedure on the basis of the calculated 3D position. In acquiring the two stereotactic molecular images, the VASH collimator is positioned such that the two different slant angles are in a plane generally parallel (that is, within 30 degrees of parallel) to a coronal plane of the patient.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a gamma camera system, including: a stand, a rotatable gantry supported by the stand, and a transformable gamma camera connected by mechanical supports to the rotatable gantry and comprising groups of tiled arrays of gamma detectors and a collimator for each group of tiled arrays of gamma detectors; the transformable gamma camera being configured to subdivide into a plurality of subdivided gamma cameras, each of the subdivided gamma cameras having at least one of the groups of tiled arrays of gamma detectors and corresponding collimator, wherein the subdivision into a plurality of subdivided gamma cameras facilitates contouring with a region of interest for a spatial resolution. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a gamma camera system, including: a stand, a rotatable gantry supported by the stand, and a transformable gamma camera connected by mechanical supports to the rotatable gantry and comprising groups of tiled arrays of gamma detectors and a collimator for each group of tiled arrays of gamma detectors; the transformable gamma camera being configured to subdivide into a plurality of subdivided gamma cameras, each of the subdivided gamma cameras having at least one of the groups of tiled arrays of gamma detectors and corresponding collimator, wherein the subdivision into a plurality of subdivided gamma cameras facilitates contouring with a region of interest for a spatial resolution. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and methods for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape. A variable-angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.

Abstract: An imaging method and device are described for improving the performance of a gamma camera by optimizing a figure of merit that depends upon cost, efficiency, and spatial resolution. In a modular gamma camera comprising a tiled array of gamma detector modules, the performance figure of merit can be optimized by sparsely placing gamma detector modules within the gamma camera, optimizing collimation, and providing means for detector and/or collimator motion. Sparse gamma cameras can be constructed as flat or curved panels, and elliptical or circular rings.

Abstract: A gamma camera, a system, and a method are described, wherein a large gamma camera can be subdivided into two or more smaller gamma cameras, each independently positioned for SPECT data acquisition. These transformable gamma cameras make more efficient use of the gamma photon detector area. Tiled arrays of semiconductor gamma detectors are especially suited for such transformation.

Abstract: A system and methods for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape. A variable-angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an imaging system that includes a collimator assembly having two or more pinhole apertures therein. In one embodiment, the imaging system is configured so that two or more of the pinhole apertures have different focal lengths. The imaging system further includes a detector assembly configured to generate one or more signals in response to gamma photons that pass through the two or more pinhole apertures. Additional embodiments also relate to methods of changing collimator performance and methods of imaging a volume.

Abstract: An multi-modality imaging system for imaging of an object under study that includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and an MRI-compatible single-photon nuclear imaging apparatus imbedded within the RF coil of the MRI system such that sequential or simultaneous imaging can be done with the two modalities using the same support bed of the object under study during the imaging session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling MRI system components including components that reside inside an RF shield such as an RF coil, a receiver coil, a patient support table and a patient enclosure wall wherein the cooling system employs a liquid coolant essentially devoid of protons and to that end, essentially devoid of hydrogen atoms.