Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for a breast examination in which a breakthrough mammary gland density can be adduced. A mammary gland density is calculated by recognizing a distribution of mammary gland tissues of a subject according to a distribution of radioactive pharmaceuticals distributed in a breast. An imaged image of the distribution of the radioactive pharmaceuticals is one type of function image, and represents activity in the subject. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the mammary gland density based on a mammary gland tissue of which the activity is active (an active mammary gland tissue) in the mammary gland tissues.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit including an imager that images a target to be imaged, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the imaging unit to switch the imaging unit to a first state in which a first target area to be imaged of the target is imaged and a second state in which a second target area to be imaged of the target different from the first target area to be imaged is imaged.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for a breast examination in which a breakthrough mammary gland density can be adduced. A mammary gland density is calculated by recognizing a distribution of mammary gland tissues of a subject according to a distribution of radioactive pharmaceuticals distributed in a breast. An imaged image of the distribution of the radioactive pharmaceuticals is one type of function image, and represents activity in the subject. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the mammary gland density based on a mammary gland tissue of which the activity is active (an active mammary gland tissue) in the mammary gland tissues.

Abstract: This nuclear medical diagnosis apparatus acquires a normalization factor based on reference data of a reference object to be measured, acquires a mutual calibration factor using at least a part of the reference data, and calculates radioactive concentration of the reference object to be measured.

Abstract: This nuclear medical diagnosis apparatus acquires a normalization factor based on reference data of a reference object to be measured, acquires a mutual calibration factor using at least a part of the reference data, and calculates radioactive concentration of the reference object to be measured.

Abstract: In a tomographic image display device, an MIP-axis setting unit sets a predetermined axis of a subject as an MIP-axis. A position information calculation unit sets each position of three-dimensional volume data obtained for different regions of interest at three-dimensional positions corresponding to positional relationships between the MIP-axis and the region of interest. A three-dimensional data integration unit integrates each of the three-dimensional volume data in which three-dimensional positions are set into single three-dimensional data, and an MIP image generation unit projects an MIP image onto the integrated three-dimensional data in one or more projection directions orthogonal to the MIP-axis. In the MIP image, projection images of each of three-dimensional volume data are projected at positions corresponding to a positional relationship between the MIP-axis and the regions of interest.

Abstract: In a tomographic image display device, an MIP-axis setting unit sets a predetermined axis of a subject as an MIP-axis. A position information calculation unit sets each position of three-dimensional volume data obtained for different regions of interest at three-dimensional positions corresponding to positional relationships between the MIP-axis and the region of interest. A three-dimensional data integration unit integrates each of the three-dimensional volume data in which three-dimensional positions are set into single three-dimensional data, and an MIP image generation unit projects an MIP image onto the integrated three-dimensional data in one or more projection directions orthogonal to the MIP-axis. In the MIP image, projection images of each of three-dimensional volume data are projected at positions corresponding to a positional relationship between the MIP-axis and the regions of interest.

Abstract: A cross-sectional area calculation section calculates a cross-sectional area of a subject as physical quantity with respect to a size of the subject, and an NEC calculation section calculates a noise equivalent count NEC as physical quantity for evaluating an image. The C-NEC calculation section calculates a noise equivalent count per unit area C-NEC as physical quantity for evaluating an image as per size of the subject in accordance with the cross-sectional area of the subject calculated in the cross-sectional area calculation section and the noise equivalent count NEC calculated in the NEC calculation section. Accordingly, the noise equivalent count per unit area C-NEC is calculated as noted above, whereby an index may be determined that is independent of the cross-sectional area of the subject in evaluating the image.

Abstract: Provided is a medical image diagnosis apparatus which requires a small area for installation, has a short length in an axial direction of the apparatus, can reduce a problem of the strength of a top plate, and can simultaneously carry out dynamic PET-imaging of the entire body. A top plate (61) on which an examinee lies is moved through a tunnel of a CT gantry (2) and a PET gantry (3) to execute CT imaging and PET imaging. A PET unit consisting of a plurality (e.g. seven) of PET units (32) has a length of 2 m in the axis direction, the visual field thereof covers the whole body and the whole body can be simultaneously subjected to dynamic PET-imaging. For the maintenance of the PET gantry (3), the diagnosis apparatus is separated at an arbitrary PET unit (32) to be maintained, the apparatus slides on a rail (31) in the axis direction and is separated for maintenance operation. Accordingly, a large space for maintenance is not required and the area for installation is small.

Abstract: This invention has one object to provide radiation tomography apparatus that allows suppression of arithmetic load of detection data with a wider detector ring. In order to achieve this purpose, the radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention performs coincidence only when two scintillation counter crystals that detect gamma rays coincidentally (A) belong to the same ring unit, or (B) belong to each of the ring units adjacent to each other. Accordingly, a distance in the central axis direction between the radiation detecting elements is limited to be equal to or less than a thickness of the ring unit in the central axis direction. Accordingly, radiation tomography apparatus may be provided that allows generation of the sectional image suitable for diagnosis while arithmetic load is suppressed.

Abstract: This invention has one object to provide a method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus that allows reliable collection of calibration data with a wide detector ring. In order to achieve this purpose, in the method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention, the number of coincidence events is obtained while the phantom that emits annihilation gamma-ray pairs moves as to pass through an inner hole of the detector ring. Such configuration dose not need the phantom having a width equal or larger than the detector ring, and may realize reliable collection of calibration data. Moreover, it may be considered that annihilation gamma-ray pairs have been emitted in uniform property without depending on positions of the detector ring. As a result, calibration data that is more suitable for removal of a image artifact may be obtained.

Abstract: One purpose of this invention is to provide radiation tomography apparatus with easier maintenance. A specific approach for this purpose is as follows. That is, a detector ring in the radiation tomography apparatus includes two or more rings. Moreover, a ring moves as to approach a next ring, whereby both the rings are connected. If radiation tomography is conducted while a clearance is provided between the rings, detection sensitivity of the detector ring decreases due to the clearance. On the other hand, according to this invention, the ring moves as to approach the next ring, which results in a narrower clearance. Accordingly, radiation that is not observed may be reduced as much as possible.

Abstract: This invention has one object is to provide radiation tomography apparatus that allows production with low price through suppression in number of radiation detectors to be mounted. One of the detector rings in this invention is a first detector ring having a sufficient internal diameter to introduce shoulders of the subject M, and the other is a second detector ring having a smaller internal diameter than the first detector ring. In so doing, the radiation detectors forming the detector ring may be suppressed in number, which may provide radiation tomography apparatus of low price. Moreover, a smaller diameter of the detector ring may result in improved spatial resolution and detection sensitivity of radiation.

Abstract: One purpose of this invention is to provide radiation tomography apparatus with easier maintenance. A specific approach for this purpose is as follows. That is, a detector ring in the radiation tomography apparatus includes two or more rings. Moreover, a ring moves as to approach a next ring, whereby both the rings are connected. If radiation tomography is conducted while a clearance is provided between the rings, detection sensitivity of the detector ring decreases due to the clearance. On the other hand, according to this invention, the ring moves as to approach the next ring, which results in a narrower clearance. Accordingly, radiation that is not observed may be reduced as much as possible.

Abstract: Provided is a medical image diagnosis apparatus which requires a small area for installation, has a short length in an axial direction of the apparatus, can reduce a problem of the strength of a top plate, and can simultaneously carry out dynamic PET-imaging of the entire body. A top plate (61) on which an examinee lies is moved through a tunnel of a CT gantry (2) and a PET gantry (3) to execute CT imaging and PET imaging. A PET unit consisting of a plurality (e.g. seven) of PET units (32) has a length of 2 m in the axis direction, the visual field thereof covers the whole body and the whole body can be simultaneously subjected to dynamic PET-imaging. For the maintenance of the PET gantry (3), the diagnosis apparatus is separated at an arbitrary PET unit (32) to be maintained, the apparatus slides on a rail (31) in the axis direction and is separated for maintenance operation. Accordingly, a large space for maintenance is not required and the area for installation is small.

Abstract: This invention has one object to provide a method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus that allows reliable collection of calibration data with a wide detector ring. In order to achieve this purpose, in the method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention, the number of coincidence events is obtained while the phantom that emits annihilation gamma-ray pairs moves as to pass through an inner hole of the detector ring. Such configuration dose not need the phantom having a width equal or larger than the detector ring, and may realize reliable collection of calibration data. Moreover, it may be considered that annihilation gamma-ray pairs have been emitted in uniform property without depending on positions of the detector ring. As a result, calibration data that is more suitable for removal of a image artifact may be obtained.

Abstract: In a state in which a subject is absent, blank data is collected by a self-radioactivity element typified by Lu-176 (S1). In a state in which the subject is present, transmission data is collected by the self-radioactivity element (S2). Emission data is collected by ? rays emitted from the subject injected with a radiopharmaceutical (S3). Absorption-corrected data is calculated based on the blank data and the transmission data (S4 to S7), and the emission data is absorption-corrected using the absorption-corrected data (S8). Although such background data obtained by the self-radioactivity is originally abandoned, the background data is rather used for the absorption-corrected data. Stable absorption correction can be thereby conducted.

Abstract: This invention has one object to provide radiation tomography apparatus that allows suppression of arithmetic load of detection data with a wider detector ring. In order to achieve this purpose, the radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention performs coincidence only when two scintillation counter crystals that detect gamma rays coincidentally (A) belong to the same ring unit, or (B) belong to each of the ring units adjacent to each other. Accordingly, a distance in the central axis direction between the radiation detecting elements is limited to be equal to or less than a thickness of the ring unit in the central axis direction. Accordingly, radiation tomography apparatus may be provided that allows generation of the sectional image suitable for diagnosis while arithmetic load is suppressed.

Abstract: A cross-sectional area calculation section calculates a cross-sectional area of a subject as physical quantity with respect to a size of the subject, and an NEC calculation section calculates a noise equivalent count NEC as physical quantity for evaluating an image. The C-NEC calculation section calculates a noise equivalent count per unit area C-NEC as physical quantity for evaluating an image as per size of the subject in accordance with the cross-sectional area of the subject calculated in the cross-sectional area calculation section and the noise equivalent count NEC calculated in the NEC calculation section. Accordingly, the noise equivalent count per unit area C-NEC is calculated as noted above, whereby an index may be determined that is independent of the cross-sectional area of the subject in evaluating the image.

Abstract: In a state in which a subject is absent, blank data is collected by a self-radioactivity element typified by Lu-176 (S1). In a state in which the subject is present, transmission data is collected by the self-radioactivity element (S2). Emission data is collected by ? rays emitted from the subject injected with a radiopharmaceutical (S3). Absorption-corrected data is calculated based on the blank data and the transmission data (S4 to S7), and the emission data is absorption-corrected using the absorption-corrected data (S8). Although such background data obtained by the self-radioactivity is originally abandoned, the background data is rather used for the absorption-corrected data. Stable absorption correction can be thereby conducted.