Abstract: A stereotactic gamma-guided localization system for imaging a suspected cancer and guiding a physician in the removal of tissue samples for biopsy. The gamma-guided localization system includes a three step procedure including localization, correlation, and verification. The localization system includes a gamma camera with a set of slant-hole collimators for producing stereo images of a region of interest. A positioning system including a fiducial marker is placed adjacent to the object to be imaged and held rigidly in place to provide correlation of the location of the region of interest relative to the fiducial marker. A gamma emitting marker is then positioned at the calculated location of the region of interest and imaged to verify that that the calculated position corresponds to the actual location. The positioning system can then be used to accurately position and support any other hardware that needs to be positioned at the region of interest.

Abstract: A stereotactic gamma-guided localization system for imaging a suspected cancer and guiding a physician in the removal of tissue samples for biopsy. The gamma-guided localization system includes a three step procedure including localization, correlation, and verification. The localization system includes a gamma camera with a set of slant-hole collimators for producing stereo images of a region of interest. A positioning system including a fiducial marker is placed adjacent to the object to be imaged and held rigidly in place to provide correlation of the location of the region of interest relative to the fiducial marker. A gamma emitting marker is then positioned at the calculated location of the region of interest and imaged to verify that that the calculated position corresponds to the actual location. The positioning system can then be used to accurately position and support any other hardware that needs to be positioned at the region of interest.

Abstract: An adjustable gamma radiation isolation shield that effectively shields the gamma camera from potentially interfering radiation emitted from sources other than the particular anatomical portion under examination. The shield is placed adjacent to the breast or other body portion under examination on the side thereof opposite that addressed by the gamma camera i.e., at about 90° to the viewing angle of the camera. The shield includes a first gamma ray permeable layer capable of absorbing fluorescent low energy radiation produced by a second adjacent gamma radiation absorbing layer or any other source. In operation, the breast is located between the gamma camera/detector and shield. Gamma radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceutical-containing breast impinges the gamma camera for measurement and simultaneously penetrates the gamma permeable layer and is absorbed by the gamma radiation absorbing layer.