Abstract: A method and system for normalization of a positron emission tomography system is provided. The method includes acquiring three-dimensional normalization scan data from a positron emission tomography system with at least one septum and determining a down-sampling factor based in part on the configuration of the at least one septum. The method further includes modifying the three-dimensional normalization scan data using the down-sampling factor.

Abstract: A method includes scanning an object in a first modality having a first field of view to obtain first modality data including fully sampled field of view data and partially sampled field of view data. The method also includes scanning the object in a second modality having a second field of view larger than the first field of view of obtain second modality data, and reconstructing an image of the object using the second modality data and the first modality partially sampled field of view data.

Abstract: A method for retrospectively correcting data prior to image reconstruction using an imaging system, wherein the method includes acquiring a first sinogram of a first slice of an object at a first axial field of view and a second sinogram of the first slice of the object at a second axial field of view different than the first axial field of view, determining at least one boundary of the object in the first sinogram and the second sinogram at the first slice, measuring a shift between the first sinogram and the second sinogram using the determined boundaries, and generating a corrected image using the measured shift.

Abstract: A method for determining component misalignment in a multi-modality imaging system including a first modality unit, a second modality unit, and a table, includes imaging an object with the first modality unit to generate a first image, imaging the object with the second modality unit to generate a second image, and determining a table alignment status using the first and second images.

Abstract: A method includes scanning an object in a first modality having a first field of view to obtain first modality data including fully sampled field of view data and partially sampled field of view data. The method also includes scanning the object in a second modality having a second field of view larger than the first field of view of obtain second modality data, and reconstructing an image of the object using the second modality data and the first modality partially sampled field of view data.

Abstract: A combined emission-transmission imaging apparatus, the apparatus comprising oppositely facing first and second photon detector segments disposed on opposite sides of an imaging area and defining the imaging area there between and a radiation source disposed adjacent and outside the imaging area and adjacent at least one of the detector segments, the source generating a fan beam of radiation that emanates from a focal point and juxtaposed such that the fan beam is directed along a trajectory through the imaging area and toward the other of the detector segments, wherein the segments collect both emission and transmission radiation.

Abstract: A tailgate extender is provided for extending the length of a cargo surface of a bed of a truck having a receiver hitch or the like. A support platform is provided by a single weldment of a flat aluminum plate, a receiver tube, a support bar and sidewalls. The receiver tube is mounted to a lower surface of the aluminum plate. The support bar is formed from a flat strip of aluminum having a forward facing planar surface which abuts a rearward end of the receiver tube, and an upwardly facing edge which abuts and is welded to the lower side of the aluminum plate. An elongated mounting post has a forward section which releasably fits within the receiver hitch, and a rearward section which releasably fits within the receiver tube. Holes extend through respective ones of the forward and rearward sections of the mounting post for aligning with respective holes in the receiver hitch and holes in the receiver tube for receiving latch pins to secure the support platform to the truck.