Abstract: An electronic readout network topology for positron emission tomography is able to provide Time of Flight for photodetectors arranged in matrix arrays made up of a plurality of silicon photomultipliers. Each photodetector has anode and cathode terminals. The readout network topology ensures suitable polarisation of the set of photodetectors and provides a reduction diagram by creating a single connection to extract a unique time reference signal that is accurate and synched up in phase to a detection event at any position of the photodetector matrix instead of connecting to each individual photodetector. A fast amplifier with low input impedance is electrically coupled to this time reference signal, creating a path of low impedance for the rapid transition signals, reducing the total parasitic capacitance of the parallel arrangement of detectors, and improving the time response of the detector block. Moreover, the readout electronics creates a smaller number of positioning signals.

Abstract: A read network topology for a matrix output device with a number of outputs determined by cross-joining “m” rows and “n” columns comprises a basic filtering block replicated for all the outputs and separately assigned to each of the outputs; each filtering block contains two filtering circuits that have a common input connection to the assigned matrix output and that provide two separate symmetrical and filtered outputs; all the row outputs (i) from the same row “i” but from different columns are interconnected to an input of an amplifier linked to row “i”, and all the column outputs (j) from the same column “j” but from different rows are connected together to an input of an amplifier linked to column “j”, the complete topology appearing when “i” and “j” are expanded in the respective intervals thereof.

Abstract: A read network topology for a matrix output device with a number of outputs determined by cross-joining “m” rows and “n” columns comprises a basic filtering block replicated for all the outputs and separately assigned to each of the outputs; each filtering block contains two filtering circuits that have a common input connection to the assigned matrix output and that provide two separate symmetrical and filtered outputs; all the row outputs (i) from the same row “i” but from different columns are interconnected to an input of an amplifier linked to row “i”, and all the column outputs (j) from the same column “j” but from different rows are connected together to an input of an amplifier linked to column “j”, the complete topology appearing when “i” and “j” are expanded in the respective intervals thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect gamma rays, comprising a scintillator, a position sensitive photo sensor and a scintillation-light-incidence-angle-constraining, SLIAC, element, the scintillator has faces and the position sensitive photo sensor detects scintillation photons exiting a scintillation photons transparent face of the scintillator, and a portion of a scintillator face is covered with an absorbing layer, which absorbs scintillation photons created by scintillation events due to the interaction of incoming gamma rays with the scintillator, and the SLIAC element is optically coupled between a scintillation photons transparent face of the scintillator and the position sensitive photo sensor and the SLIAC element guides the scintillation photons exiting the scintillator towards the position sensitive photo sensor, and the SLIAC element restricts the maximum allowed half light acceptance angle for the scintillation light hitting the position sensitive photo sensor to less than 45°.

Abstract: The GAMMA/RF compact, hybrid and integrated system for PET-SPECT/MR simultaneous imaging of the invention comprises a GAMMA/RF device that integrates an RF coil, of the type used in conventional MR systems, with GAMMA radiation detector modules of the type used in PET or SPECT systems, so that combined PET or SPECT and MR images are obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect gamma rays, comprising a scintillator, a position sensitive photo sensor and a scintillation-light-incidence-angle-constraining, SLIAC, element, the scintillator has faces and the position sensitive photo sensor detects scintillation photons exiting a scintillation photons transparent face of the scintillator, and a portion of a scintillator face is covered with an absorbing layer, which absorbs scintillation photons created by scintillation events due to the interaction of incoming gamma rays with the scintillator, and the SLIAC element is optically coupled between a scintillation photons transparent face of the scintillator and the position sensitive photo sensor and the SLIAC element guides the scintillation photons exiting the scintillator towards the position sensitive photo sensor, and the SLIAC element restricts the maximum allowed half light acceptance angle for the scintillation light hitting the position sensitive photo sensor to less than 45°.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable mini gamma camera for intrasurgical use. The inventive camera is based on scintillation crystals and comprises a stand-alone device, i.e. all of the necessary systems have been integrated next to the sensor head and no other system is required. The camera can be hot-swapped to any computer using different types of interface, such as to meet medical grade specifications. The camera can be self-powered, can save energy and enables software and firmware to be updated from the Internet and images to be formed in real time. Any gamma ray detector based on continuous scintillation crystals can be provided with a system for focusing the scintillation light emitted by the gamma ray in order to improve spatial resolution. The invention also relates to novel methods for locating radiation-emitting objects and for measuring physical variables, based on radioactive and laser emission pointers.

Abstract: The GAMMA/RF compact, hybrid and integrated system for PET-SPECT/MR simultaneous imaging of the invention comprises a GAMMA/RF device that integrates an RF coil, of the type used in conventional MR systems, with GAMMA radiation detector modules of the type used in PET or SPECT systems, so that combined PET or SPECT and MR images are obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable mini gamma camera for intrasurgical use. The inventive camera is based on scintillation crystals and comprises a stand-alone device, i.e. all of the necessary systems have been integrated next to the sensor head and no other system is required. The camera can be hot-swapped to any computer using different types of interface, such as to meet medical grade specifications. The camera can be self-powered, can save energy and enables software and firmware to be updated from the Internet and images to be formed in real time. Any gamma ray detector based on continuous scintillation crystals can be provided with a system for focusing the scintillation light emitted by the gamma ray in order to improve spatial resolution. The invention also relates to novel methods for locating radiation-emitting objects and for measuring physical variables, based on radioactive and laser emission pointers.

Abstract: Gamma ray detector characterised in that its structural elements are a continuous scintillator crystal, a position sensitive photodetector and associated electronics intended to calculate, in addition to the gamma ray energy in the position of its interaction in the crystal, the interaction depth in the crystal from the standard deviation of the scintillation light distribution. Said information may be obtained electronically, in analog form and therefore instantaneous, from the first three moments of the scintillation light distribution. A method for implementing said electronics by way of a network of resistances characterised for analog and simultaneous computation of the first and second distribution moments is also disclosed.

Abstract: Gamma ray detector characterised in that its structural elements are a continuous scintillator crystal, a position sensitive photodetector and associated electronics intended to calculate, in addition to the gamma ray energy in the position of its interaction in the crystal, the interaction depth in the crystal from the standard deviation of the scintillation light distribution. Said information may be obtained electronically, in analog form and therefore instantaneous, from the first three moments of the scintillation light distribution. A method for implementing said electronics by way of a network of resistances characterised for analog and simultaneous computation of the first and second distribution moments is also disclosed.