Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for additive manufacturing of collimators for medical imaging applications. In one example, a collimator may include a plurality of collimator segments including a plurality of septa, wherein at least one collimator segment may be interlocked with at least one adjacent collimator segment via mating of one or more projections with one or more complementary recesses, each of the one or more projections including a lengthwise portion of at least one septum of the plurality of septa.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for additive manufacturing of collimators for medical imaging applications. In one example, a collimator may include a plurality of collimator segments including a plurality of septa, wherein at least one collimator segment may be interlocked with at least one adjacent collimator segment via mating of one or more projections with one or more complementary recesses, each of the one or more projections including a lengthwise portion of at least one septum of the plurality of septa.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating a nuclear medicine imaging system having more than 5 detector heads. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining residual center of gravity determinations corresponding to each of a plurality of detector units based on point source projections acquired over a series of detector unit rotational steps, obtaining center of gravity determinations for each of the plurality of detector units based on point source projections acquired over a series of detector unit sweep angles, obtaining a fit of the center of gravity determinations for each of the plurality of detector units, and determining a sweep offset for each of the plurality of detector units based on the residual center of gravity determinations and the fit of the center of gravity determinations for each of the plurality of detector units. In this way, a sweep axis zero degree position for each of the plurality of detector units is determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating a nuclear medicine imaging system having more than 5 detector heads. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining residual center of gravity determinations corresponding to each of a plurality of detector units based on point source projections acquired over a series of detector unit rotational steps, obtaining center of gravity determinations for each of the plurality of detector units based on point source projections acquired over a series of detector unit sweep angles, obtaining a fit of the center of gravity determinations for each of the plurality of detector units, and determining a sweep offset for each of the plurality of detector units based on the residual center of gravity determinations and the fit of the center of gravity determinations for each of the plurality of detector units. In this way, a sweep axis zero degree position for each of the plurality of detector units is determined.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for treating tissue. The apparatus includes a chamber having an opening, the chamber configured to, when placed proximate to the tissue, cause periodic movement of an area of the tissue raised towards the opening of the chamber, and one or more energy transmitting elements to apply energy to at least a portion of the area of the tissue.

Abstract: Nuclear medicine (NM) imaging system includes a detector assembly coupled to a gantry. The NM imaging system also includes a positioning sub-system having a motion controller and a detector motor. The positioning sub-system also includes a proximity sensor device (PSD) coupled to a detector head of the detector assembly. The PSD is configured to be activated. In response to being activated, the PSD is configured to transmit an output signal to stop the detector motor from moving the detector head toward the object. The NM imaging system also includes a secondary circuit that, in response to the PSD being activated, is configured to determine whether the detector head has stopped moving toward the object and, if the detector head has not stopped moving toward the object, is configured to disable the detector motor.

Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing, a detector unit, and a fastener. The detector housing defines a cavity therein, and includes a shielding body disposed at least partially around the cavity. The detector unit is disposed within the cavity, and includes an absorption member and associated processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to generate electronic signals responsive to radiation received by the absorption member. The fastener extends through the detector housing, and is accepted by the detector unit to secure the detector unit to the detector housing. The shielding body of the detector housing is interposed between the fastener and the processing circuitry.

Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing, a detector unit, and a fastener. The detector housing defines a cavity therein, and includes a shielding body disposed at least partially around the cavity. The detector unit is disposed within the cavity, and includes an absorption member and associated processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to generate electronic signals responsive to radiation received by the absorption member. The fastener extends through the detector housing, and is accepted by the detector unit to secure the detector unit to the detector housing. The shielding body of the detector housing is interposed between the fastener and the processing circuitry.

Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a rotor assembly. The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The rotor assembly includes a detector unit, a body, and a sealing member. The body defines an opening oriented in the imaging direction. The body is disposed at a distance from the detector housing within the cavity defining a passageway extending axially along the body. The sealing member includes a body extending across the opening. The sealing member is coupled to at least one of the shielding unit or the collimator, and is mounted within the cavity to provide a gas-tight seal along the imaging direction between the passageway and the detector unit.

Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a rotor assembly. The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The rotor assembly includes a detector unit, a body, and a sealing member. The body defines an opening oriented in the imaging direction. The body is disposed at a distance from the detector housing within the cavity defining a passageway extending axially along the body. The sealing member includes a body extending across the opening. The sealing member is coupled to at least one of the shielding unit or the collimator, and is mounted within the cavity to provide a gas-tight seal along the imaging direction between the passageway and the detector unit.

Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a rotor assembly. The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The rotor assembly includes a detector unit, a body, and a sealing member. The body defines an opening oriented in the imaging direction. The body is disposed at a distance from the detector housing within the cavity defining a passageway extending axially along the body. The sealing member includes a body extending across the opening. The sealing member is coupled to at least one of the shielding unit or the collimator, and is mounted within the cavity to provide a gas-tight seal along the imaging direction between the passageway and the detector unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for treating tissue. The apparatus includes a chamber having an opening, the chamber configured to, when placed proximate to the tissue, cause periodic movement of an area of the tissue raised towards the opening of the chamber, and one or more energy transmitting elements to apply energy to at least a portion of the area of the tissue.

Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a rotor assembly. The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The rotor assembly includes a detector unit, a body, and a sealing member. The body defines an opening oriented in the imaging direction. The body is disposed at a distance from the detector housing within the cavity defining a passageway extending axially along the body. The sealing member includes a body extending across the opening. The sealing member is coupled to at least one of the shielding unit or the collimator, and is mounted within the cavity to provide a gas-tight seal along the imaging direction between the passageway and the detector unit.

Abstract: A detector arm assembly is provided that includes a stator, a detector head, a radial motion motor, and a detector head belt. The stator is configured to be fixedly coupled to a gantry having a bore. The detector head includes a carrier section that is slidably coupled to the stator and configured to be movable in a radial direction in the bore relative to the stator. The radial motion motor is operably coupled to at least one of the detector head or the stator. The detector head belt is operably coupled to the radial motion motor and the carrier section. Rotation of the radial motion motor causes movement of the detector head in the radial direction.

Abstract: A gantry system is provided. The gantry system may be used for acquiring image data and reconstructing the image data into output images. Image detectors include a detector arm and detector head. Image detectors are attached to a gantry in a compact configuration such that the image detector head may extend into the bore of a stator. The system can be a Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information.

Abstract: A detector arm assembly is provided that includes a stator, a detector head, a radial motion motor, and a detector head belt. The stator is configured to be fixedly coupled to a gantry having a bore. The detector head includes a carrier section that is slidably coupled to the stator and configured to be movable in a radial direction in the bore relative to the stator. The radial motion motor is operably coupled to at least one of the detector head or the stator. The detector head belt is operably coupled to the radial motion motor and the carrier section. Rotation of the radial motion motor causes movement of the detector head in the radial direction.

Abstract: A gantry system is provided. The gantry system may be used for acquiring image data and reconstructing the image data into output images. Image detectors include a detector arm and detector head. Image detectors are attached to a gantry in a compact configuration such that the image detector head may extend into the bore of a stator. The system can be a Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, method, devices and instruments, including an apparatus that includes a flexible waveguide coupled to a supporting structure, and further coupled to a treatment tip. The apparatus also includes a beam controller to control application of a radiation beam emitted from the flexible waveguide to distribute the beam over an area different than an area covered by direct application of the beam to a single location on a target tissue. Further disclosed is an apparatus that includes a waveguide, coupleable to a laser source, and a thermal protection instrument. The thermal protection instrument includes a tissue contacting member to contact a part of an area of a tissue irradiated by laser radiation, and a beam blocking element to absorb at least some of radiation not absorbed by the area of the tissue, the beam blocking element being thermally isolated from the area of the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, method, devices and instruments, including an apparatus that includes a flexible waveguide coupled to a supporting structure, and further coupled to a treatment tip. The apparatus also includes a beam controller to control application of a radiation beam emitted from the flexible waveguide to distribute the beam over an area different than an area covered by direct application of the beam to a single location on a target tissue. Further disclosed is an apparatus that includes a waveguide, coupleable to a laser source, and a thermal protection instrument. The thermal protection instrument includes a tissue contacting member to contact a part of an area of a tissue irradiated by laser radiation, and a beam blocking element to absorb at least some of radiation not absorbed by the area of the tissue, the beam blocking element being thermally isolated from the area of the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and systems for positioning detectors for Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging are provided. One system includes a gantry supporting one or more imaging detectors, wherein the gantry has a portion configured for movable operation. The system also includes a table on one side of the gantry configured to support a patient thereon, wherein the table is further configured to move within an opening of the gantry. The system further includes a patient support device movably positioned on an opposite side of the gantry from the table, wherein the patient support device is configured for movable operation.