Abstract: A PET imaging system includes a measurement subsystem, a data acquisition subsystem, and a reconstruction subsystem. The measurement subsystem detects deflection in a patient pallet, and generates deflection information based on the detected deflection. The data acquisition subsystem receives the deflection information from the measurement subsystem and PET measurement data corresponding to a plurality of coincidence events from a PET scanner, and communicates the received deflection information and PET measurement data to the reconstruction subsystem. The reconstruction subsystem includes a processor that reconstructs a PET scan image using the deflection information and the PET measurement data communicated by the data acquisition subsystem.

Abstract: A method of interpolating positron emission tomography (PET) data for reconstructing a PET image, including acquiring PET event data, which was obtained by scanning an object using a PET scanner; generating a two-dimensional line-of-response (LOR) sinogram from the acquired PET event data; determining a plurality of triangles connecting sampling points within the LOR sinogram, wherein adjacent sampling points are connected horizontally row-by-row within the LOR sinogram to determine the plurality of triangles; and determining a uniformly sampled sinogram from the LOR sinogram using the determined plurality of triangles.

Abstract: A joined filter media pleat pack assembly comprises at least two filter media pleat packs, wherein each pleat comprises a root and a crown, wherein a seam between each filter media pleat pack is at least one of: (a) structure wherein the pleats, crowns, and roots of one filter media pleat pack are interleaved or nested with the corresponding structure of an adjacent filter media pleat pack or (b) structure wherein at least a portion of the terminal edges of adjacent filter media pleat packs are mitered at complimentary angles and assembled in mating relation.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for processing data associated with nuclear medical imaging techniques are provided. Data is ordered in LUT's and memory structures. Articles of manufacture are provided for causing computers to carry out aspects of the invention. Data elements are ordered into a plurality of ordered data groups according to a spatial index order, and fetched and processed in the spatial index order. The data elements include sensitivity matrix elements, PET annihilation event data, and system and image matrix elements, the data grouped in orders corresponding to their processing. In one aspect geometric symmetry of a PET scanner FOV is used in ordering the data and processing. In one aspect a system matrix LUT comprises total number of system matrix elements equal to a total number of image matrix elements divided by a total number of possible third index values.

Abstract: A method, including: determining a line of response for an imaging apparatus, the line of response being defined by respective locations of a pair of detector crystals of the imaging apparatus; defining an array of emission points corresponding to the determined line of response; determining, for each point in the array of emission points corresponding to the line of response, a solid angle subtended by surfaces of the pair of detector crystals that define the line of response; averaging the determined solid angles to generate an average solid angle; determining a depth of interaction factor dependent upon penetration of a gamma ray in the pair of detector crystals of the imaging apparatus; and calculating a geometric corrective factor for the determined line of response by multiplying a reciprocal of the average solid angle by the determined depth of interaction factor.

Abstract: A positron imaging apparatus (102) acquires projection data indicative of positron annihilations in an object under examination. A local reconstructor (146) performs an iterative local reconstruction of truncated projection data to produce image space data indicative of the object. A motion compensator (142) compensates for a motion of the object; an image combiner (148) combines the image space data with other image space data indicative of the object.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for calculating first and second distance ratios used to calculate a geometric probability between a voxel and a tube-of-response (TOR). The method includes determining a first-edge-line including a first-middle-point, determining a second-edge-line including a second-middle-point, determining a middle line of the TOR, projecting a first point of a first surface of the voxel to the middle line, projecting a second point of a second surface of the voxel to the middle line, calculating a first distance between one of the first and second middle-points and the first-projected-point, and a second distance between the one of the first and second middle-points and the second-projected-point, and determining a first distance ratio based on the first and second distances. The method calculates the second distance ratio similarly to the first distance ratio. The geometric probability is proportional to the product of the first and second distance ratios.

Abstract: A method and device for calculating voxels defining a tube-of-response (TOR) within a reconstruction space of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) apparatus having a plurality of crystals, the voxels within the reconstruction space having a predetermined size. The method includes selecting a center on each of two crystals defining a line of response, determining intersected voxels within the reconstruction space that intersect a straight line connecting the centers of the two crystals, calculating neighboring voxels of the intersected voxels, based on an expansion direction and an expansion distance, merging the intersected voxels and the neighboring voxels to form a merged set of voxels, and deleting duplicate voxels in the merged set of voxels to generate the voxels defining the TOR.

Abstract: A method of processing, by a processor of a computer, positron emission tomography (PET) information obtained from a PET detector, including the steps of obtaining a singles event list that includes a plurality of single event entries, each entry corresponding to a single event detected by the PET detector and including a timestamp, energy information, and crystal position information; and determining, based on the timestamp and the crystal position information of each entry and a predetermined coincidence time period, all event pairs within the plurality of single event entries, each event pair consisting of two single events whose respective timestamps differ by less than the predetermined coincidence time period, wherein the determining step determines that an event pair exists when at least two, but no more than k, single events are found within a given time window, wherein k is an integer value greater than or equal to two.

Abstract: A method, including: determining a line of response for an imaging apparatus, the line of response being defined by respective locations of a pair of detector crystals of the imaging apparatus; defining an array of emission points corresponding to the determined line of response; determining, for each point in the array of emission points corresponding to the line of response, a solid angle subtended by surfaces of the pair of detector crystals that define the line of response; averaging the determined solid angles to generate an average solid angle; determining a depth of interaction factor dependent upon penetration of a gamma ray in the pair of detector crystals of the imaging apparatus; and calculating a geometric corrective factor for the determined line of response by multiplying a reciprocal of the average solid angle by the determined depth of interaction factor.

Abstract: A method of interpolating positron emission tomography (PET) data for reconstructing a PET image, including acquiring PET event data, which was obtained by scanning an object using a PET scanner; generating a two-dimensional line-of-response (LOR) sinogram from the acquired PET event data; determining a plurality of triangles connecting sampling points within the LOR sinogram, wherein adjacent sampling points are connected horizontally row-by-row within the LOR sinogram to determine the plurality of triangles; and determining a uniformly sampled sinogram from the LOR sinogram using the determined plurality of triangles.

Abstract: A gamma ray detection system includes a plurality of detector modules having a same length, where each detector module is configured to detect gamma rays generated from positron annihilation events. A first detector module of the plurality of detector modules is shifted by a predetermined distance in an axial direction from a second detector module of the plurality of detector modules that is adjacent to the first detector module, where the predetermined distance is less than the length of the detector modules.

Abstract: A PET imaging system includes a measurement subsystem, a data acquisition subsystem, and a reconstruction subsystem. The measurement subsystem detects deflection in a patient pallet, and generates deflection information based on the detected deflection. The data acquisition subsystem receives the deflection information from the measurement subsystem and PET measurement data corresponding to a plurality of coincidence events from a PET scanner, and communicates the received deflection information and PET measurement data to the reconstruction subsystem. The reconstruction subsystem includes a processor that reconstructs a PET scan image using the deflection information and the PET measurement data communicated by the data acquisition subsystem.

Abstract: A method and system for use in positron emission tomography, wherein a first processor element (234) is configured to reconstruct a plurality of positron annihilation events detected during a positron emission tomography scan using a list-based reconstruction technique to generate first volumetric data. A second reconstructor (226) is configured to reconstruct the plurality of events using a second reconstruction technique to generate second volumetric data for determining an error correction (228), the error correction applied to the first volumetric data to generate corrected volumetric data for generating a human-readable image (234). In one embodiment a multiplicative error correction is performed on the plurality of events, the first processor element (234) reconstructing the corrected plurality of events; and the second volumetric data error correction comprises an additive error correction.

Abstract: A multi-modality system (10) includes a nuclear imaging system (12) and a computed tomography (CT) scanner (14). The nuclear system (12) includes a PET scanner (28) which acquires electronic data that is reconstructed into a PET blob image by a PET reconstruction processor (50). The CT scanner (14) acquires the scanned data which is reconstructed into a 3D CT voxel image by a CT reconstruction processor (56). An interpolation processor (62) interpolates the PET blob image directly into the CT voxel space. Once the PET and CT images are in the same space, they are combined by a combining means (110). A video processor (66) processes the received composite PET-CT data for a display on a monitor (68).

Abstract: An air filtration system includes a support structure, an enclosure coupled to the support structure and including an air outlet, a filter and a fan operatively coupled to the enclosure, and a diffusion screen configured to cover the air outlet. The diffusion screen includes a screen frame configured to be removably attachable to the enclosure with at least one releasable fastener, and at least a diffusion layer substantially spanning the screen frame to cover the air outlet to provide unidirectional or laminar air flow from the air outlet.

Abstract: A positron imaging apparatus (102) acquires projection data indicative of positron annihilations in an object under examination. A local reconstructor (146) performs an iterative local reconstruction of truncated projection data to produce image space data indicative of the object. A motion compensator (142) compensates for a motion of the object; an image combiner (148) combines the image space data with other image space data indicative of the object.

Abstract: A dust collection device for a sanding tool includes a bag having a sidewall with an inner surface and a coupler attacked to the bag. The sidewall comprises at least one filter layer and an outer support layer. A sleeve having an outer surface, a sleeve sidewall, a first end, a second end, and at least one gap at either the first end or the second end is positioned within the bag. The sleeve's first end is positioned adjacent the coupler to direct incoming air towards the sleeve and the sleeve is positioned within the bag such that a bypass volume is present between the outer surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: A joined filter media pleat pack assembly.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for processing data associated with nuclear medical imaging techniques are provided. Data is ordered in LUT's and memory structures. Articles of manufacture are provided for causing computers to carry out aspects of the invention. Data elements are ordered into a plurality of ordered data groups according to a spatial index order, and fetched and processed in the spatial index order. The data elements include sensitivity matrix elements, PET annihilation event data, and system and image matrix elements, the data grouped in orders corresponding to their processing. In one aspect geometric symmetry of a PET scanner FOV is used in ordering the data and processing. In one aspect a system matrix LUT comprises total number of system matrix elements equal to a total number of image matrix elements divided by a total number of possible third index values.