Abstract: A combined molecular breast imaging (“MBI”) and ultrasound system is described. A gantry assembly provides for introduction of a lateral facing ultrasound probe while a subject's breast is maintained under compression by the MBI system.

Abstract: A system and method of quantifying uptake of radionuclide by tumor with the use of an MBI system equipped with an ultrasound unit. The quantification is effectuated based on comparison a first photon count (determined from an MBI image of a region of interest encompassing both the tumor and background tissue of the sample) and a second photon count (determined from an MBI image of a region of a substantially co-extensive region of interest that encompasses only background tissue and is devoid of tumor), and based on the values of depth of tumor and its size determined from the ultrasound imaging data.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for imaging a region of interest (“ROI”) including a breast having received a reduced dose of radionuclide using an imaging system including at least two gamma detectors. The acquired imaging data is analyzed respect to an energy characteristic and divided into subsets of data based on the analysis. A plurality of images is generated using the subsets of data, wherein the plurality of images include a primary image corresponding to subsets of data having energy including the energy characteristic and multiple secondary images corresponding to subsets of data having energy not including the energy characteristic. Each of the plurality of images is processed using energy information associated with each of the plurality of images and the processed plurality of images is combined to form a composite image of the ROI.

Abstract: A system and method for molecular breast imaging (MBI) provides enhanced tumor analysis and, optionally, a real-time biopsy guidance. The system includes a detector head including a gamma ray detector and a multisegment collimator in a collimator frame. The collimator contains multiple collimation sections that have respectively different collimating characteristic and that are individually repositionable with respect to the detector. An image of the tissue acquired with the system may include spatially separate image portions containing image information about the same portion of the imaged tissue. A system of mounting the multisegment collimator in the detector head includes a collimator tray that is laterally moveable within the frame and/or slidable in and out of the frame.

Abstract: A system and method for performing quantitative lesion analysis in molecular breast imaging (MBI) using the opposing images of a slightly compressed breast that are obtained from the dual-head gamma camera. The method uses the shape of the pixel intensity profiles through each tumor to determine tumor diameter. Also, the method uses a thickness of the compressed breast and the attenuation of gamma rays in soft tissue to determine the depth of the tumor from the collimator face of the detector head. Further still, the method uses the measured tumor diameter and measurements of counts in the tumor and background breast region to determine relative radiotracer uptake or tumor-to-background ratio (T/B ratio).

Abstract: A system and method for molecular breast imaging (MBI) provides enhanced tumor analysis and, optionally, a real-time biopsy guidance. The system includes a detector head including a gamma ray detector and a collimator. The collimator include multiple collimation sections having respectively different spatially-oriented structures. In addition or alternatively, the multiple collimating section have respectively different collimation characteristics. An image of the tissue acquired with the system may include spatially separate image portions containing image information about the same portion of the imaged tissue. A system is optionally configured to acquire updatable images to provide real-time feedback about the biopsy procedure.

Abstract: A molecular breast imaging (“MBI”} configured for combined MBI and ultrasound imaging or MBI-guided biopsy is provided. In one configuration, the MBI portion of the system includes two opposed gamma ray detectors, while in another configuration only one gamma ray detector is provided. In two detector configurations, a compression plate is provided to make contact with and apply light compression to the subject under examination. One of the gamma ray detectors is configured to be moveable with respect to the other detector such that the gamma ray detector can be moved away from the examination region, thereby allowing access to the breast for an ultrasound imaging system or a breast biopsy device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for imaging a region of interest (“ROI”) including a breast having received a reduced dose of radionuclide using an imaging system including at least two gamma detectors. The acquired imaging data is analyzed respect to an energy characteristic and divided into subsets of data based on the analysis. A plurality of images is generated using the subsets of data, wherein the plurality of images include a primary image corresponding to subsets of data having energy including the energy characteristic and multiple secondary images corresponding to subsets of data having energy not including the energy characteristic. Each of the plurality of images is processed using energy information associated with each of the plurality of images and the processed plurality of images is combined to form a composite image of the ROI.

Abstract: A molecular breast imaging (“MBI”} configured for combined MBI and ultrasound imaging or MBI-guided biopsy is provided. In one configuration, the MBI portion of the system includes two opposed gamma ray detectors, while in another configuration only one gamma ray detector is provided. In two detector configurations, a compression plate is provided to make contact with and apply light compression to the subject under examination. One of the gamma ray detectors is configured to be moveable with respect to the other detector such that the gamma ray detector can be moved away from the examination region, thereby allowing access to the breast for an ultrasound imaging system or a breast biopsy device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for analyzing detector data acquired during molecular breast imaging (MBI) that reduces a patient's radiation does without a reduction in image quality. The method processes and combines initial images acquired by the two gamma-camera detectors of the MBI system to produce a hybrid or composite image set having reduced noise and improved contrast. The composite image provides image quality comparable to that of traditional MBI methods, but at a lower patient radiation dose.

Abstract: A system and method for molecular breast imaging (MBI) provides enhanced tumor analysis and, optionally, a real-time biopsy guidance. The system includes a detector head including a gamma ray detector and a collimator. The collimator include multiple collimation sections having respectively different spatially-oriented structures. In addition or alternatively, the multiple collimating section have respectively different collimation characteristics. An image of the tissue acquired with the system may include spatially separate image portions containing image information about the same portion of the imaged tissue. A system is optionally configured to acquire updatable images to provide real-time feedback about the biopsy procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for nuclear imaging includes a molecular breast imaging system including a collimator coupled to each of at least two gamma cameras. The collimator includes a collimator plate composed of a radiation absorbing material and having formed therein a plurality of channels spaced in an arrayed arrangement, each of the plurality of channels extending from an upper surface of the collimator plate to a lower surface of the collimator plate along a distance configured to substantially maximize a geometric efficiency of the collimator for a selected septal penetration, source-to-collimator distance, and collimator material. The collimator also includes a plurality of septa formed between each adjacent ones of the plurality of channels and the plurality of detector elements and the plurality of channels have a substantially similar cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for analyzing detector data acquired during molecular breast imaging (MBI) that reduces a patient's radiation does without a reduction in image quality. The method processes and combines initial images acquired by the two gamma-camera detectors of the MBI system to produce a hybrid or composite image set having reduced noise and improved contrast. The composite image provides image quality comparable to that of traditional MBI methods, but at a lower patient radiation dose.

Abstract: A method for imaging a subject includes injecting the subject with a single dose of a radionuclide and acquiring, with a molecular breast imaging (MBI) system, a first set of medical image data of a breast of the subject after injection of the single dose of a radionuclide. The method also includes acquiring, with a myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) system, a second set of medical image data of a portion of a cardiovascular system of the subject after the single dose of a radionuclide and reconstructing the first set of medical image data into a medical image of the breast of the subject and reconstructing the second set of medical image data into a medical image of the portion of the cardiovascular system of the subject.

Abstract: A system and method for performing quantitative lesion analysis in molecular breast imaging (MBI) using the opposing images of a slightly compressed breast that are obtained from the dual-head gamma camera. The method uses the shape of the pixel intensity profiles through each tumor to determine tumor diameter. Also, the method uses a thickness of the compressed breast and the attenuation of gamma rays in soft tissue to determine the depth of the tumor from the collimator face of the detector head. Further still, the method uses the measured tumor diameter and measurements of counts in the tumor and background breast region to determine relative radiotracer uptake or tumor-to-background ratio (T/B ratio).

Abstract: A system and method for performing quantitative lesion analysis in molecular breast imaging (MBI) using the opposing images of a slightly compressed breast that are obtained from the dual-head gamma camera. The method uses the shape of the pixel intensity profiles through each tumor to determine tumor diameter. Also, the method uses a thickness of the compressed breast and the attenuation of gamma rays in soft tissue to determine the depth of the tumor from the collimator face of the detector head. Further still, the method uses the measured tumor diameter and measurements of counts in the tumor and background breast region to determine relative radiotracer uptake or tumor-to-background ratio (T/B ratio).

Abstract: Computer-implemented method and system enables suppliers to manage real-time manufacturer inventory levels. A client-server (e.g., Internet-based) architecture communicates with at least one inventory database. Supplier/user input defines a supplier and manufacturer plant to which the supplier supplies goods. A listing of goods the supplier supplies to the manufacturer plant is displayed at the client computer. For goods listed, the current manufacturer balance-on-hand for that good, the number of days before the manufacturer balance-on-hand will be depleted, and an indicator if the current manufacturer balance-on-hand is below a predefined level is also displayed. The user/supplier inputs a promise to supply one or more goods having a current manufacturer balance-on-hand below the predefined level (e.g., low, critical, etc.). Another indicator indicates whether supplier shipped and in-transit quantities for the good reconcile with manufacturer received quantity for the good.

Abstract: A system and method for the quantitation of whole body distribution of radiopharmaceuticals which can determine the percentage uptake of the radiopharmaceutical in a selected region of the body. The system obtains anterior and posterior views of the body using a scintillation camera. These views are then lined up and the geometric mean of the activity at each pixel location is determined. This normalizes the data to produce an activity level which would result if the organ studied were at midpoint of the body. As a result, fast and accurate results are obtained even for organs that are well visualized in only one of the anterior or posterior views.