Abstract: An echo-scintigraphic probe for medical applications and the method of merging images. It is constituted by the union of an ultrasound probe suitably integrated, both in geometric terms, and in terms of image processing, with a scintigraphic probe or gamma camera (3). With a single application of said probe, one is able to provide a double image of the object under examination. The ultrasound probe is housed in the head, above the plane of the collimator and kept projecting to favor the direct contact with the body part of the patient to be examined. The collimator is able to obtain images of the biodistribution of a radiolabelled drug by radiation with frontal incidence, maintaining the characteristics of the ultrasound probe. The probe is applicable to both clinical diagnosis and intraoperative diagnosis of cancer with the use of radio tracers.

Abstract: An echo-scintigraphic probe for medical applications and the method of merging images. It is constituted by the union of an ultrasound probe suitably integrated, both in geometric terms, and in terms of image processing, with a scintigraphic probe or gamma camera (3). With a single application of said probe, one is able to provide a double image of the object under examination. The ultrasound probe is housed in the head, above the plane of the collimator and kept projecting to favor the direct contact with the body part of the patient to be examined. The collimator is able to obtain images of the biodistribution of a radiolabelled drug by radiation with frontal incidence, maintaining the characteristics of the ultrasound probe. The probe is applicable to both clinical diagnosis and intraoperative diagnosis of cancer with the use of radio tracers.

Abstract: A tilting collimator (4), in particular usable in the single photon emission computed tomography imaging technique, comprises: a plurality of side-by-side tubular structures (5), apt to form a matrix of tubular structures (5) on a two-dimensional space, each tubular structure (5) comprising at least a through hole; each tubular structure (5) being in contact with the tubular structures (5) adjacent thereto so as to be able to tilt only in presence of an equal tilting in the adjacent tubular structures (5); and retaining means, acting on the outer edges of said matrix, apt to move horizontally to determine the simultaneous tilting of all tubular structures (5) of the matrix, allowing a three-dimensional scanning of a gamma source by tilting progressively the single tubular structures (5) with great precision and in an extremely quick way.

Abstract: A tilting collimator (4), in particular usable in the single photon emission computed tomography imaging technique, comprises: a plurality of side-by-side tubular structures (5), apt to form a matrix of tubular structures (5) on a two-dimensional space, each tubular structure (5) comprising at least a through hole; each tubular structure (5) being in contact with the tubular structures (5) adjacent thereto so as to be able to tilt only in presence of an equal tilting in the adjacent tubular structures (5); and retaining means, acting on the outer edges of said matrix, apt to move horizontally to determine the simultaneous tilting of all tubular structures (5) of the matrix, allowing a three-dimensional scanning of a gamma source by tilting progressively the single tubular structures (5) with great precision and in an extremely quick way.

Abstract: A scintigraphic probe, of the type used to detect the emission of a radiation and its origin direction in order to identify a radiation source, allows a quick identification of the source and it comprises: a first scintigraphic detecting element, comprising a substantially tubular body (2), said body being hollow and with a proximal opening, divided at least in three longitudinal sectors (5) constituted each one by a scintillation crystal with a respective scintillation or light transmission feature different from the other ones; a second scintigraphic detecting element (6) comprising a scintillation crystal internally housed in said tubular body (2) so as to be laterally shielded thereby and having an unschielded surface at said proximal opening (3); and photo-detecting means coupled to the above- mentioned scintillation crystals.

Abstract: The miniaturized gamma camera has all specific functionalities of gamma cameras, with extremely high spatial resolution (about 1-2 mm) and dimensions of about 22 mm×22 mm of active area and total size of about 35 mm×35 mm, such as to fit in one of the surgeon's hands and to be handled with absolute ease.

Abstract: The gamma camera, able to be developed in areas of any size and unlimited, presents such a thickness as to be considered flat and of minimal bulk and it can be assembled in individual modules to be attached one to the other solving the problem of dead zones between individual PSPMTS, with values of intrinsic spatial resolution in the order of 1 mm. The application of the present invention may range from the medical field (PET, SPECT, SPEM, PEM, etc.) to employment in astrophysics.