Abstract: A medical diagnostic system utilizing the principles of nuclear medicine is disclosed. The system includes a gantry having a detector support section supported by a carriage section located on a rail system for movement along a linear path. A nuclear detector is supported on a pair of weighted arms pivotally mounted on the detector support system about an axis perpendicular to the rail system. The detector is itself pivotally mounted near an end of the weighted arm pair for tilting rotation about an axis parallel to the arm pivot axis. Mechanism is provided for rotating the weighted arms additionally about an axis parallel to the rail system, in order to accomplish orbital motion of the detector. All three of these rotational movements are power actuated. A stationary pedestal and cantilevered patient support table is located between the rails of the rail system, with the patient table extending longitudinally with respect to the rails.

Abstract: A scintillation camera of the multiple phototube type. A thin light pipe and masks are employed to diffuse the light so that the camera operates on a principle of light diffusion rather than phototube "viewing" as described in the prior art.

Abstract: A system and method for governing the exposure of an image generated by a radiation camera to an image sensing camera is disclosed. The exposure is terminated in response to the accumulation of a predetermined quantity of radiation, defining a radiation density, occurring in a predetermined area. An index is produced which represents the value of that quantity of radiation whose accumulation causes the exposure termination. The value of the predetermined radiation quantity represented by the index is sensed so that the radiation camera image intensity can be calibrated to compensate for changes in exposure amounts due to desired variations in radiation density of the exposure, to maintain the detectability of the image by the image sensing camera notwithstanding such variations.

Abstract: In a gamma ray imaging camera having a scintillation crystal and a plurality of phototubes, two channels are provided for receiving and processing radiation of two different energy levels arising from injection into a patient of two different radioisotopes. Signals in the two energy ranges may both be recorded for future analysis or may be displayed side-by-side on an oscilloscope.Regardless of whether one or two isotopes are used, information describing the locations of scintillation in the crystal may be digitized, recorded, and played back for visual display at a later time. Alternatively, the location information may be displayed immediately.Calibration means are also provided for presenting the output of each phototube individually on an oscilloscope so that the apparatus may be adjusted to correct for variations inherent in phototubes.