Abstract: A medical nuclear imaging system (10) and method (100) generate smooth energy histograms. Radiation events are detected by a plurality of detectors (14), the radiation events localized to a plurality of pixels of the detectors (14). The energy levels of the detected radiation events are estimated and the estimated energy levels are scaled with scaling parameters that scale the energy centroids of the plurality of pixels to target values differing by offsets around a common target value, the target values differing with spatial location of the plurality of pixels. Target value offsets are removed from the scaled energy levels and the detected radiation events are combined into an energy histogram using the energy levels with the target value offsets removed.

Abstract: An imaging system (102) includes a detector array (104) with a ring (106) with a first layer (110i) that detects gamma radiation and X-ray radiation and a second layer (110N) that detects only gamma radiation, wherein the first and second layers are concentric closed rings. A method includes detecting gamma radiation with a first layer of a dual layer detector in response to imaging in PET mode, detecting gamma radiation with a second layer of the dual layer detector in response to imaging in PET mode, and generating PET image data with the radiation detected with the first and second layers. The method further includes detecting X-ray radiation with the first layer in response to imaging in CT mode and generating CT image data the radiation detected with the first layer. The method further includes displaying the image data. The imaging system allows a single gantry for both PET/CT imaging.

Abstract: An imaging system (102) includes a detector array (104) with a ring (106) with a first layer (110i) that detects gamma radiation and X-ray radiation and a second layer (110N) that detects only gamma radiation, wherein the first and second layers are concentric closed rings. A method includes detecting gamma radiation with a first layer of a dual layer detector in response to imaging in PET mode, detecting gamma radiation with a second layer of the dual layer detector in response to imaging in PET mode, and generating PET image data with the radiation detected with the first and second layers. The method further includes detecting X-ray radiation with the first layer in response to imaging in CT mode and generating CT image data the radiation detected with the first layer. The method further includes displaying the image data. The imaging system allows a single gantry for both PET/CT imaging.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) system (10) and method (100) classifies gamma events. At least one processor (62, 66, 70) is programmed to receive event data for a plurality of scintillation events corresponding to gamma events. The gamma events are generated by gamma photons from a region of interest (ROI) (14). The gamma events of the event data are classified into a plurality of classifications. The classifications distinguish between single-crystal gamma events and multi-crystal gamma events.

Abstract: A detector (16) maintains thermal stability between two different operating modes. The detector (16) includes at least one controller (36, 38) which sets the detection sensitivity of the detector (16) to a level disabling the detection of gamma photons. The controller (36, 38) further controls a heat generator (36, 38, 86) to maintain the temperature of the detector (16) at a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is the steady state temperature of the detector (16) when the detection sensitivity of the detector (16) is set to a level enabling the detection of gamma photons. A method (100) for maintaining thermal stability of a detector (16) between two different operating modes is also provided.

Abstract: A medical nuclear imaging system (10) and method (100) generate smooth energy histograms. Radiation events are detected by a plurality of detectors (14), the radiation events localized to a plurality of pixels of the detectors (14). The energy levels of the detected radiation events are estimated and the estimated energy levels are scaled with scaling parameters that scale the energy centroids of the plurality of pixels to target values differing by offsets around a common target value, the target values differing with spatial location of the plurality of pixels. Target value offsets are removed from the scaled energy levels and the detected radiation events are combined into an energy histogram using the energy levels with the target value offsets removed.

Abstract: A detector maintains thermal stability between two different operating modes. The detector includes at least one controller which sets the detection sensitivity of the detector to a level disabling the detection of gamma photons. The controller further controls a heat generator to maintain the temperature of the detector at a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is the steady state temperature of the detector when the detection sensitivity of the detector is set to a level enabling the detection of gamma photons. A method for maintaining thermal stability of a detector between two different operating modes is also provided. Approaches are also disclosed for normalize acquired imaging data during image reconstruction using dark current-dependent normalization factors.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) system (10) and method (100) classifies gamma events. At least one processor (62, 66, 70) is programmed to receive event data for a plurality of scintillation events corresponding to gamma events. The gamma events are generated by gamma photons from a region of interest (ROI) (14). The gamma events of the event data are classified into a plurality of classifications. The classifications distinguish between single-crystal gamma events and multi-crystal gamma events.

Abstract: A detector maintains thermal stability between two different operating modes. The detector includes at least one controller which sets the detection sensitivity of the detector to a level disabling the detection of gamma photons. The controller further controls a heat generator to maintain the temperature of the detector at a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is the steady state temperature of the detector when the detection sensitivity of the detector is set to a level enabling the detection of gamma photons. A method for maintaining thermal stability of a detector between two different operating modes is also provided. Approaches are also disclosed for normalize acquired imaging data during image reconstruction using dark current-dependent normalization factors.