Abstract: A high sensitivity, three-dimensional gamma ray detection and imaging system is provided. The system uses the Compton double scatter technique with recoil electron tracking The system preferably includes two detector subassemblies; a silicon microstrip hodoscope and a calorimeter. In this system the incoming photon Compton scatters in the hodoscope. The second scatter layer is the calorimeter where the scattered gamma ray is totally absorbed. The recoil electron in the hodoscope is tracked through several detector planes until it stops. The x and y position signals from the first two planes of the electron track determine the direction of the recoil electron while the energy loss from all planes determines the energy of the recoil electron.

Abstract: New sensors, pixel detectors and different embodiments of multi-channel integrated circuit are disclosed. The new high energy and spatial resolution sensors use solid state detectors. Each channel or pixel of the readout chip employs low noise preamplifier at its input followed by other circuitry. The different embodiments of the sensors, detectors and the integrated circuit are designed to produce high energy and/or spatial resolution two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging for different applications. Some of these applications may require fast data acquisition, some others may need ultra high energy resolution, and a separate portion may require very high contrast. The embodiments described herein addresses these issues and also other issues that may be useful in two and three dimensional medical and industrial imaging.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object has an x-ray source for emitting x-rays. A detection system has a plurality of position sensitive detector planes, and the object is located between the x-ray source and the detection system. A portion of the x-rays pass through said object and pass into said plurality of detector planes and are detected within the plurality of detector planes. A multi-channel readout system is coupled to the plurality of position sensitive detector planes. A display system is coupled to the multi-channel readout system, and the display system displays an image of said object. A portion of the x-rays passing into the plurality of detector planes undergoes at least one Compton scatter within the plurality of detection planes and is detected. A total or partial energy corresponding to each portion of the emitted x-rays is recorded by a multichannel readout system.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, three-dimensional gamma ray detection and imaging system is provided. The system uses the Compton double scatter technique with recoil electron tracking. The system preferably includes two detector subassemblies; a silicon microstrip hodoscope and a calorimeter. In this system the incoming photon Compton scatters in the hodoscope. The second scatter layer is the calorimeter where the scattered gamma ray is totally absorbed. The recoil electron in the hodoscope is tracked through several detector planes until it stops. The x and y position signals from the first two planes of the electron track determine the direction of the recoil electron while the energy loss from all planes determines the energy of the recoil electron.

Abstract: A multi-channel integrated circuit is provided in which each channel has an analog section and a digital section. Each channel of the readout chip employs low noise charge sensitive amplifier at its input followed by other circuitry such as shaper, pole-zero, peak hold, different comparators, buffers and digital control and readout. Each channel produces a self-trigger and a fast timing output. Channel-to-channel time differences are also recorded. Integrated circuit also provides a large dynamic range to facilitate large range of applications. The trigger threshold can be adjusted to provide energy discrimination. The chip has different, externally selectable, operational modes including a sparse readout mode in which only the channels which have received signals greater than a preselected threshold value are read out. The sparse readout mode results in increased data throughput, thus providing fast data acquisition capabilities.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object has an x-ray source for emitting x-rays. A detection system has a plurality of position sensitive detector planes, and the object is located between the x-ray source and the detection system. A portion of the x-rays pass through said object and pass into said plurality of detector planes and are detected within the plurality of detector planes. A multi-channel readout system is coupled to the plurality of position sensitive detector planes. A display system is coupled to the multi-channel readout system, and the display system displays an image of said object. A portion of the x-rays passing into the plurality of detector planes undergoes at least one Compton scatter within the plurality of detection planes and is detected. A total or partial energy corresponding to each portion of the emitted x-rays is recorded by a multichannel readout system.

Abstract: Charged and neutral particles, photons (13), photonic optics, detectors (15) and sensor arrays are used for application to molecular imaging, communication with biological organisms and monitoring and learning biological activity inside living organisms. The living organisms include among others living tissue, biological organs, cells (10), eukaryotes, prokaryotes, viruses and phages. Molecular imaging can be an effective new tool to understand the mechanisms of life and communicate, modify and control it. Techniques, methods and devices are described to achieve these aims. The probes used in molecular imaging described above will include the full spectrum of photons; charged and uncharged particles (13); chemicals; and biological probes.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, three-dimensional gamma ray detection and imaging system is provided. The system uses the Compton double scatter technique with recoil electron tracking. The system preferably includes two detector subassemblies; a silicon microstrip hodoscope and a calorimeter. In this system the incoming photon Compton scatters in the hodoscope. The second scatter layer is the calorimeter where the scattered gamma ray is totally absorbed. The recoil electron in the hodoscope is tracked through several detector planes until it stops. The x and y position signals from the first two planes of the electron track determine the direction of the recoil electron while the energy loss from all planes determines the energy of the recoil electron.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging a living organism that is treated with a radionuclide emitting positrons is provided. A portion of the emitted positrons create photons within said living organism. The living organism is placed between first and second detection systems, which are diametrically opposed. The first and second detection systems are comprised of a plurality of position sensitive detectors. A portion of said photons are detected within said detection systems. A multi-channel readout system is coupled to the position sensitive detectors. A display system is coupled to the multi-channel readout system and includes a processor which determines directions of the portion of said photons.

Abstract: The design of a compact, handheld, solid-state and high-sensitivity imaging probe and a micro imager system is reported. These instruments can be used as a dedicated tool for detecting and locating sentinel lymph nodes and also for detecting and imaging radioactive material. The reported device will use solid state pixel detectors and custom low-noise frontend/readout integrated circuits. The detector will be designed to have excellent image quality and high spatial resolution. The imaging probes have two different embodiments, which are comprised of a pixelated detector array and a highly integrated readout system, which uses a custom multi-channel mixed signal integrated circuit. The instrument usually includes a collimator in front of the detector array so that the incident photons can be imaged. The data is transferred to an intelligent display system. A hyperspectral image can also be produced and displayed. These devices are designed to be portable for easy use.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, three-dimensional gamma ray detection and imaging system is provided. The system uses the Compton double scatter technique with recoil electron tracking. The system preferably includes two detector subassemblies; a silicon microstrip hodoscope and a calorimeter. In this system the incoming photon Compton scatters in the hodoscope. The second scatter layer is the calorimeter where the scattered gamma ray is totally absorbed. The recoil electron in the hodoscope is tracked through several detector planes until it stops. The x and y position signals from the first two planes of the electron track determine the direction of the recoil electron while the energy loss from all planes determines the energy of the recoil electron.