Abstract: A method for normalization of a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. The PET scanner includes a plurality of blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks includes a plurality of rows. Each of the plurality of rows includes a plurality of actual detectors and an unused area. The method includes acquiring a plurality of lines of response (LORs) by scanning a normalization phantom, obtaining a plurality of actual counts by extracting a plurality of LORs subsets from the plurality of LORs and counting a number of elements in each LORs subset, generating a plurality of virtual detectors in each of the plurality of rows by assigning the unused area to the plurality of virtual detectors, generating a count profile for the plurality of actual detectors, estimating a plurality of virtual counts based on the count profile, and applying a normalization process on the plurality of blocks.

Abstract: A method for altering paths of optical photons that pass through a scintillator. The scintillator includes a plurality of vertical sides. The method includes forming a reflective belt inside the scintillator by creating a portion of the reflective belt inside the scintillator on a vertical plane parallel with a vertical side of the plurality of vertical sides. Creating the portion of the reflective belt includes generating a plurality of defects on the vertical plane.

Abstract: A method and a system for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging capable of performing a rapid acquisition of imaging data. The SPECT imaging system, placed at a fixed radial distance from the center of an object being imaged, includes a gamma detector and a collimator. The collimator, mounted on the gamma detector, includes a plurality of parallel slats, each perpendicular to the surface of the gamma detector. The method implemented by this system rapidly reconstructs a high-resolution and high-sensitivity image.

Abstract: An improved method for peak detection in a two-dimensional image is disclosed. In one implementation, the method includes one or more of the following steps: generating a smooth image from the two-dimensional image, detecting a plurality of local peaks in the smooth image, detecting a plurality of true peaks among the plurality of local peaks, and generating a peak-detected image from the smooth image. The smooth image includes a plurality of pixels, where each pixel of the plurality of pixels has an intensity level and an address. The address includes a row number and a column number. The peak-detected image includes a first true peaks subset from the plurality of true peaks. In one implementation, the intensity level of each true peak of the first true peaks subset is higher than an intensity threshold. The method further includes localizing at least one true peak of the first true peaks subset in the peak-detected image.

Abstract: A method for normalization of a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. The PET scanner includes a plurality of blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks includes a plurality of rows. Each of the plurality of rows includes a plurality of actual detectors and an unused area. The method includes acquiring a plurality of lines of response (LORs) by scanning a normalization phantom, obtaining a plurality of actual counts by extracting a plurality of LORs subsets from the plurality of LORs and counting a number of elements in each LORs subset, generating a plurality of virtual detectors in each of the plurality of rows by assigning the unused area to the plurality of virtual detectors, generating a count profile for the plurality of actual detectors, estimating a plurality of virtual counts based on the count profile, and applying a normalization process on the plurality of blocks.

Abstract: A method for altering paths of optical photons that pass through a scintillator. The scintillator includes a plurality of vertical sides. The method includes forming a reflective belt inside the scintillator by creating a portion of the reflective belt inside the scintillator on a vertical plane parallel with a vertical side of the plurality of vertical sides. Creating the portion of the reflective belt includes generating a plurality of defects on the vertical plane.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed, including a method for confining an annihilation range of a positron, from a plurality of positrons emitted from an object being imaged in a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system. Confining the annihilation includes applying a stochastic multidimensional time varying magnetic field on the positron. Optionally, the stochastic multidimensional time varying magnetic field includes components in each of three dimensions.

Abstract: A method and a system for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging capable of performing a rapid acquisition of imaging data. The SPECT imaging system, placed at a fixed radial distance from the center of an object being imaged, includes a gamma detector and a collimator. The collimator, mounted on the gamma detector, includes a plurality of parallel slats, each perpendicular to the surface of the gamma detector. The method implemented by this system rapidly reconstructs a high-resolution and high-sensitivity image.

Abstract: A robotic arm, movable in three rotational degrees of freedom has a base end and a distal end supporting SPECT imaging detectors. A patient support assembly is movable in a linear degree of freedom. A controller causes the robotic arm to move the SPECT imaging detectors, in three dimensions, around the patient's body to obtain SPECT images. The control causes the patient support assembly to move along the linear degree of freedom, maintaining alignment of the patient's body with the SPECT imaging detectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed, including a method for confining an annihilation range of a positron, from a plurality of positrons emitted from an object being imaged in a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system. Confining the annihilation includes applying a stochastic multidimensional time varying magnetic field on the positron. Optionally, the stochastic multidimensional time varying magnetic field includes components in each of three dimensions.

Abstract: An improved method for peak detection in a two-dimensional image is disclosed. In one implementation, the method includes one or more of the following steps: generating a smooth image from the two-dimensional image, detecting a plurality of local peaks in the smooth image, detecting a plurality of true peaks among the plurality of local peaks, and generating a peak-detected image from the smooth image. The smooth image includes a plurality of pixels, where each pixel of the plurality of pixels has an intensity level and an address. The address includes a row number and a column number. The peak-detected image includes a first true peaks subset from the plurality of true peaks. In one implementation, the intensity level of each true peak of the first true peaks subset is higher than an intensity threshold. The method further includes localizing at least one true peak of the first true peaks subset in the peak-detected image.

Abstract: An open-gantry structure of SPECT imaging system for scanning human small organs or small animals and method for preparing the system is disclosed. The system contains an imaging desk that one or multiple detector heads are rotated around the object to be scanned while tilted under the imaging desk and dedicated image reconstruction algorithm was developed for the system in case of applying single pinhole collimator.

Abstract: A robotic arm, movable in three rotational degrees of freedom has a base end and a distal end supporting SPECT imaging detectors. A patient support assembly is movable in a linear degree of freedom. A controller causes the robotic arm to move the SPECT imaging detectors, in three dimensions, around the patient's body to obtain SPECT images. The control causes the patient support assembly to move along the linear degree of freedom, maintaining alignment of the patient's body with the SPECT imaging detectors.

Abstract: An open-gantry structure of SPECT imaging system for scanning human small organs or small animals and method for preparing the system is disclosed. The system contains an imaging desk that one or multiple detector heads are rotated around the object to be scanned while tilted under the imaging desk and dedicated image reconstruction algorithm was developed for the system in case of applying single pinhole collimator.

Abstract: A new system and method for medical image processing using a nonlinear recursive filter are disclosed. An input signal including two or more pulses received from a medical imaging system is sampled at a predetermined sampling rate. The maximum magnitude, i.e., peak, and/or the occurrence time of the maximum magnitude of the first pulse of the input signal is/are determined using a nonlinear recursive filter. Predicted magnitude values of the tail of the first pulse can be determined and subtracted from the input signal to correct for pileup before determining the maximum magnitude and/or occurrence time of the next pulses. A medical image can be reconstructed using the determined maximum magnitudes and/or the occurrence times of the maximum magnitudes of the pulses of the input signal. The nonlinear recursive filter can be implemented using one or more look-up tables.

Abstract: A new system and method for medical image processing using a nonlinear recursive filter are disclosed. An input signal including two or more pulses received from a medical imaging system is sampled at a predetermined sampling rate. The maximum magnitude, i.e., peak, and/or the occurrence time of the maximum magnitude of the first pulse of the input signal is/are determined using a nonlinear recursive filter. Predicted magnitude values of the tail of the first pulse can be determined and subtracted from the input signal to correct for pileup before determining the maximum magnitude and/or occurrence time of the next pulses. A medical image can be reconstructed using the determined maximum magnitudes and/or the occurrence times of the maximum magnitudes of the pulses of the input signal. The nonlinear recursive filter can be implemented using one or more look-up tables.