Abstract: A control device including: at least one processor, wherein the processor is configured control an image projection unit which projects a projection image onto a projection surface of a compression member and an irradiation field projection unit which projects a range of an irradiation field of radiation using visible light in a mammography apparatus which irradiates a breast compressed by the compression member with the radiation to capture a radiographic image such that projection of the projection image and projection of the range of the irradiation field are switched.

Abstract: A control device including: at least one processor that is configured to detect whether or not compression of a breast by a compression member in a mammography apparatus is completed and perform control to direct an image projection unit, which projects a projection image onto a projection surface of the compression member, to stop the projection of the projection image onto the projection surface in a case in which it is detected that the compression is completed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel method of obtaining transmission scan data in a PET scanner by incorporating one or more stationary gamma-ray sources that provide forward scattered gamma-photons that can be used as transmission imaging radiation.

Abstract: A mobile diagnostic imaging system includes a battery system and charging system. The battery system is located in the rotating portion of the imaging system, and includes one or more battery packs comprising electrochemical cells. Each battery pack includes a control circuit that controls the state of charge of each electrochemical cell, and implements a control scheme that causes the electrochemical cells to have a similar charge state. The battery system communicates with a charging system on the non-rotating portion to terminate charge when one or more of the electrochemical cells reach a full state of charge. The imaging system also includes a docking system that electrically connects the charging system to the battery system during charging and temporarily electrically disconnects the rotating and non-rotating portions during imaging, and a drive mechanism for rotating the rotating portion relative to the non-rotating portion.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus and method of using same for tracking a labeled probe in a subject are disclosed.

Abstract: This application relates to methods for delivering radiation to a positron-emitting target within a subject under continuous PET guidance. Instead of directing radiation at a collinear path along each detected positron line-of-response (LOR), the methods generally include detecting a pattern of LORs that intersect the target. In response to the pattern, radiation may be delivered along paths that are not necessarily collinear to any of the LORs. Methods for further modifying radiation delivery as well as the detected LOR population are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a medical imaging system having a detector array. In one example, the detector array may include a plurality of adjustable imaging detectors, each of the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors including a first detector unit or a second detector unit, each first detector unit having a plurality of rows of detector modules and each second detector unit having at least one row of detector modules, wherein each second detector unit may have fewer rows of detector modules than each first detector unit, the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors may be arranged on an annular gantry, the annular gantry configured for rotation about an axis of a cylindrical aperture of the annular gantry, the axis extending a length of the cylindrical aperture, and each of the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors may be disposed within the cylindrical aperture and may extend orthogonally toward the axis.

Abstract: A mobile diagnostic imaging system includes a battery system and charging system. The battery system is located in the rotating portion of the imaging system, and includes one or more battery packs comprising electrochemical cells. Each battery pack includes a control circuit that controls the state of charge of each electrochemical cell, and implements a control scheme that causes the electrochemical cells to have a similar charge state. The battery system communicates with a charging system on the non-rotating portion to terminate charge when one or more of the electrochemical cells reach a full state of charge. The imaging system also includes a docking system that electrically connects the charging system to the battery system during charging and temporarily electrically disconnects the rotating and non-rotating portions during imaging, and a drive mechanism for rotating the rotating portion relative to the non-rotating portion.

Abstract: An array sensor includes a sensor element array that includes a plurality of sensor elements, a signal processing circuit array that includes a plurality of signal processing circuits coupled to the corresponding sensor elements, and a resistor network that supplies bias voltages to the corresponding signal processing circuits, wherein different voltages are applied to at least two voltage application nodes in the resistor network.

Abstract: A metal oxide based radiation sensor includes a titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film layer on a microcantilever surface. The TiO2 thin film layer initially comprises anatase and rutile crystal structures. Exposure to radiation, such as gamma radiation, results in changes in structural features and mechanical behaviors of the metal oxide based radiation sensor. In particular, the resonant frequency changes with exposure to radiation dosages. The structural and mechanical behaviors of the metal oxide based radiation sensor change proportionally with dosage within a range of dosages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating the location of a wave source based upon low frequency measurements acquired using multiple receivers. In one aspect, a method for estimating an end range of a radiation beam delivered to a target is provided. The method includes controlling a radiation treatment system to deliver a radiation beam inducing at least one low frequency thermoacoustic wave inside a target, and detecting, using receivers positioned about the target, sonic signals corresponding to the at least one low frequency thermoacoustic wave. The method also includes analyzing the sonic signals to determine differences in times-of-flight associated with different receivers, and estimating an end range of the radiation beam by correlating the differences in times-of-flight. The method further includes generating a report indicative of the end range of the radiation beam.

Abstract: A Positron Emission Tomography (“PET”) insert for use with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (“MRI”) scanning device, the PET insert including a plurality of photodetector modules provided adjacent each other in an array, the plurality of photodetector modules configured for placement adjacent a body of a patient and sized to be received in a magnetic bore of the MRI scanning device with the patient, the photodetector modules providing detection of gamma annihilation photons, and a Radio Frequency (“RF”) coil provided between the patient and the plurality of photodetector modules. Each of the plurality of photodetector modules includes a pixelated scintillator array provided for alignment adjacent the patient's body, and a shielding block including silicon photomultiplier pads and passive electronic circuitry only.

Abstract: A PET/MRI device includes an MRI device that has a measurement port, a PET detector that can be inserted into the measurement port, and a mechanism that can slide the PET detector into and out of the MRI measurement port. Thereby, the PET/MRI device allows MRI measurement during PET measurement.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image diagnosis system includes a gantry, a rail, an absorbing member and a carrier unit. The rail is disposed on a floor. The rail cover covers the rail. The absorbing member is formed between the floor and the rail cover. The carrier unit is formed in a bottom of the gantry, and is moved along the rail through a space between the rail and the rail cover, and along with movement, attaches and detaches the rail cover with respect to the floor via the absorbing member.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for using a capacitor chain to perform charge sharing and Anger logic to determine, for charge pulses arising from gamma-ray detection, a row position along an array of scintillation-based gamma-ray detectors. Further, high-pass filters configured at the ends of the capacitor chain perform pulse shaping to preserve timing information. To determine the column position for charge pulses, a two-stage summing amplifier configuration is used with weighting amplifiers controlling the relative gain of the second-stage amplifier with respect to respective columns in the array. Each detector element in the array is a silicon photomultiplier (e.g., Geiger-mode avalanched photodiodes biased above breakdown voltage). Position information can be generated by Anger logic on four outputs from the second-stage amplifiers. Energy and timing information can be generated as a sum of the four outputs from the second-stage amplifiers.

Abstract: A radiation therapy medical apparatus is disclosed. The medical apparatus comprises: a base; a cylindrical gantry, peripherally and rotatably supported by the base; a radiation therapy assembly, comprising an arm and a radiation head, wherein one end of the arm is fixed to a first position on a first side of the gantry and the other end thereof is extended outwardly, and the radiation head is fixed to the other end of the arm; an imaging assembly, mounted to a second side of the gantry opposite to the first side, and configured to be a first balanced weight part for balancing the radiation therapy assembly; and a counterbalance, fixed to the second side of the gantry, and configured to cooperate with the imaging assembly to prevent the gantry from turnover under action of the radiation therapy assembly and configured to dynamically balance with the radiation therapy assembly with respect to a rotation axis of the gantry.

Abstract: A partial-ring PET device, in which some of coincidence radiation detectors to be arranged in a ring shape around a field of view for detecting lines of response of annihilation radiations are missing, is compensated for a drop in image quality due to the missing of the coincidence radiation detectors by including single gamma-ray radiation detectors for detecting at least either one of the annihilation radiations as a single gamma-ray. This can reduce missing of projection angles and reduce artifacts in PET images.

Abstract: A medical imaging device is disclosed. In an embodiment, the medical imaging device includes an imaging area; a patient positioning device including a positioning table and a transfer plate for positioning a patient in a patient positioning area; a frame element for disposing at least one component relative to the imaging area and/or the patient positioning device, wherein the frame element has a first side arm, a second side arm and an apex area disposed between the first side arm and the second side arm; and a first mounting device and a second mounting device for retaining the frame element. The apex area is disposed above the transfer plate in respect of a vertical direction.

Abstract: A prone CT breast x-ray imaging system is described that can image a full breast to create a conventional two-dimensional digital image in very high resolution (e.g., ?25 micron pixels). The system is capable of imaging the entire breast in three-dimensional based on multiple projection views from a one-dimensional or two-dimensional detector. Data can be acquired and reconstructed with a limited number of views from limited angles or with conventional cone beam CT algorithms. The resulting three-dimensional image enables the detection and diagnosis of fine micro calcifications and small masses as may be distributed throughout the breast, thus allowing radiologists to make an improved determination of malignancy as opposed to conventional two-dimensional digital mammography. In addition, the injection of intravenous contrast in conjunction with or without pre and post contrast subtraction imaging provides a radiologist with morphologic information on the existing tumor burden in the breast.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a detector head for an imaging system. The detector head comprises a detector module comprising at least one detector element for detecting radiation and detector electronics, and a shaft to which the detector module is coupled, the detector module configured to rotate more than 360 degrees about the shaft in at least one direction.

Abstract: A method for preparing an image simulating the anatomy of a small subject test animal, and an apparatus for producing said image and an anatomical atlas for co-registering therewith, comprising the generation of two or more non-tomographic images of the test animals is described. Examples of the non-tomographic imaging modalities and the images generated include, but are not limited to one or more x-ray sources and resultant of x-ray projections, photographic cameras and resulting digital or optical images and surface scanners and resultant surface scans. The subject animal is positioned at a focal point in a carrier in an imaging enclosure. A combination of one or more of the non-tomographic images taken from different angles within the enclosure are combined and through an iterative process co-registered with the previously generated digital atlas of the anatomy of the same or similar test animals.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and apparatus for verifying the beam range in a target irradiated with a charged hadron beam, such as a proton beam. The beam range is the location of the Bragg peak in the target, being the location where the largest portion of the dose is delivered. The method utilizes a prompt gamma camera provided with a slit-shaped opening, so as to be able to produced a 1-dimensional profile of the dose distribution along the beam line. The camera is mounted with the slit oriented perpendicularly to the beam line. The method comprises the steps of calculating a position of the camera with respect to a target, for a plurality of beam energies and spots to be irradiated. The method further comprises the steps of verifying the beam range for said plurality of spots, and delivering a value representative of the difference between the estimated beam range and the actual beam range. The apparatus of the invention is provided with a positioning module for positioning the camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images is described herein. The apparatus may include a column attached to a gantry. The column may include a movable section and a radiation detector disposed in the movable section. The apparatus may include a weight compensation unit to apply a force on the movable section opposite to a force of gravity associated with at least the movable section and the radiation detector.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for scanning a biological sample labeled with fluorochrome includes a case, a sample table, a light source module, an image capture unit, and a driving unit. The light source module provides excitation light to the biological sample on the sample table, in which the fluorochrome is excited to generate fluorescence by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The image capture unit catches images of the fluorescence from the biological sample. The driving unit is connected to the image capture unit to move the image capture unit. The present invention further includes a filter unit on the image capture unit to filter the fluorescence into the image capture unit.

Abstract: A helmet-type PET device includes a helmet portion (hemispherical detector) and an added portion (jaw portion detector, an ear portion detector, or a neck portion detector). The helmet portion includes a PET detector so as to cover a parietal region of an examination target. The added portion is positioned to dispose a PET detector at a part other than the parietal region of the examination target. PET measurement is performed using both an output from the PET detector at the helmet portion and an output from the PET detector at the added portion.

Abstract: In an open PET device including a plurality of detector rings that are arranged apart in the direction of the body axis of a subject and having a physical open field of view area, at least one of the detector rings or another imaging device arranged in parallel is configured to be movable by simple device moving means in order to change the configuration of the PET device. This improves the versatility of the open PET device for easier introduction to facilities.

Abstract: An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system includes an MR scanner including a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned, a set of PET detectors disposed about the opening, a plurality of data processing units each electrically connected with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors, and a plurality of power supply modules, each power supply module being operable to generate a DC power supply for different groups of one or more of the data processing units. Each power supply module is discrete from the other power supply modules.

Abstract: An integrated silicon solid state photomultiplier (SSPM) device includes a pixel unit including an array of more than 2×2 p-n photodiodes on a common substrate, a signal division network electrically connected to each photodiode, where the signal division network includes four output connections, a signal output measurement unit, a processing unit configured to identify the photodiode generating a signal or a center of mass of photodiodes generating a signal, and a global receiving unit.

Abstract: A SPECT detector system includes a plurality of detector units. Each detector unit includes a plurality of detector elements disposed in fixed positions with respect to one another. The detector units are adjustably positioned with respect to one another around a detector arc, which is placed adjacent to a patient.

Abstract: A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system comprising: a rotating ring for surrounding anatomy which is to be imaged; at least one camera mount movably mounted to the rotating ring so that the camera mount can be moved radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating ring; and at least one gamma camera carried on the at least one camera mount, wherein the at least one gamma camera is focused on a single SPECT focal point; whereby, when the rotating ring is rotated about the anatomy which is to be imaged and the at least one camera mount is moved radially on the rotating ring, the single SPECT focal point of the at least one gamma camera carried by a camera mount follows a spiral pattern through the anatomy, whereby to produce a scan of the anatomy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for positioning detectors for Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging are provided. One system includes a gantry supporting one or more imaging detectors, wherein the gantry has a portion configured for movable operation. The system also includes a table on one side of the gantry configured to support a patient thereon, wherein the table is further configured to move within an opening of the gantry. The system further includes a patient support device movably positioned on an opposite side of the gantry from the table, wherein the patient support device is configured for movable operation.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a radiation source, coincident positron emission detectors configured to detect coincident positron annihilation emissions originating within a coordinate system, and a controller coupled to the radiation source and the coincident positron emission detectors, the controller configured to identify coincident positron annihilation emission paths intersecting one or more volumes in the coordinate system and align the radiation source along an identified coincident positron annihilation emission path.

Abstract: Provided are time-of-flight positron emission tomography devices comprising a detector array having at least two segments configured to accommodate a body part and to acquire tracer emission signals from a target within an imaging situs with a timing resolution of less than about 600 ps and a processor that receives the acquired signals from the detector array and converts the signals into a three dimensional image reconstruction of the target.

Abstract: A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system comprising: a rotating ring for surrounding anatomy which is to be imaged; at least one camera mount movably mounted to the rotating ring so that the camera mount can be moved radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating ring; and at least one gamma camera carried on the at least one camera mount, wherein the at least one gamma camera is focused on a single SPECT focal point; whereby, when the rotating ring is rotated about the anatomy which is to be imaged and the at least one camera mount is moved radially on the rotating ring, the single SPECT focal point of the at least one gamma camera carried by a camera mount follows a spiral pattern through the anatomy, whereby to produce a scan of the anatomy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning with radiation detectors are provided. One system includes at least one radiation scanning camera-head, an array of at least one pixelated radiation detector having an imaging surface including a two dimensional array of pixels, and a scanning unit positioned between the radiation detector and the object. The scanning unit includes first and second radiation blocking plates having first and second two-dimensional arrays of openings, respectively, wherein the array of pixels and the first and second arrays of openings have a same pitch. Additionally, for each of a plurality of scan positions of the scanning unit, the first and second moveable plates and the imaging surface are positioned differently with respect to each other to produce different inclination angles in response to each scan position.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiation based imaging of a non-homogenous target area having distinguishable regions therein, comprises: an imaging unit configured to obtain radiation intensity data from a target region in the spatial dimensions and at least one other dimension, and an image four-dimension analysis unit analyzes the intensity data in the spatial dimension and said at least one other dimension in order to map the distinguishable regions. The system typically detects rates of change over time in signals from radiopharmaceuticals and uses the rates of change to identify the tissues. In a preferred embodiment, two or more radiopharmaceuticals are used, the results of one being used as a constraint on the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a drive system to a ring in a medical imaging gantry, the ring defining a central longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a ring having an outer race and an inner race rotatively mounted within the outer race, the inner race defining inner race teeth about a portion of its circumference, The apparatus also includes a drive system having a drive gear, defining drive gear teeth that are engaged with the inner race teeth, and defining tooth clearance there between. A mounting assembly is also included having at least one mounting bar rigidly attached to the outer race outer facing surface, the mounting bar including a transverse face being substantially perpendicular to the ring outer race circumference, at least one mounting plate secured to the drive system and transverse face of the at least one mounting bar.

Abstract: A radiation detector is provided that allows correction so as to identify incident gamma-ray positions accurately with no influence of afterglow of fluorescence. The radiation detector includes an intensity-data acquiring section for acquiring intensity data representing intensity of fluorescence outputted from a light detector for every temporally-constant sampling interval, and a correction-value acquiring section section for acquiring a correction value used for correction of variations in intensity data resulting from afterglow of the fluorescence. In addition, the radiation detector includes an integrating section for correcting the intensity data using the correction value. This allows correct calculation of the integrated value m with no influence of the afterglow of fluorescence.

Abstract: Provided is a medical image processing apparatus allowing the generation of image data by changing the reconstruction conditions in correspondence with the positional relation of an observation target based on the projected data chronologically acquired by an X-ray CT scanner. The medical image processing apparatus includes a photographing unit, a reconfiguration processing unit, an extracting unit, and an analyzing unit. The photographing unit scans the flexible site of the living body configured from multiple parts in order to acquire projected data. The reconfiguration processing unit carries out reconfiguration processing on the projected data and generates image data of the flexible site regarding the plurality of timing points. The extracting unit extracts the plurality of components configuring the flexible site from the respective image data. The analyzing unit obtains the positional relation of the plurality of components.

Abstract: A plurality of detector rings in which detectors arranged densely or spatially in a ring shape or in a polygonal shape are arranged, with an open space kept in the body axis direction, coincidences are measured for some of or all of detector pairs connecting the detector rings apart from the open space to perform three-dimensional image reconstruction, thereby imaging the open space between the detector rings as a tomographic image. Therefore, the open space is secured, with the deteriorated quality of an image suppressed, thus making it possible to easily gain access to a patient under PET scanning from outside a gantry and also provide irradiation of particle beams for cancer treatment as well as X-ray CT scanning.

Abstract: A Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system and method using multiple types of imaging detectors are provided. One NM imaging system includes a gantry, at least a first imaging detector coupled to the gantry, wherein the first imaging detector is a non-moving detector, and at least a second imaging detector coupled to the gantry, wherein the second imaging detector is a moving detector. The first imaging detector is larger than the second imaging detector and the first and second imaging detectors have different detector configurations. The NM imaging system further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the first and second imaging detectors during an imaging scan of an object to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information such that at least the first imaging detector remains stationary with respect to the gantry during image acquisition.

Abstract: The invention is related to the field of charged Hadron Therapy, i.e. radiation therapy using strongly interacting particles. More particularly, the invention relates to a detector and method for measuring the beam range of a charged hadron beam in a target object as well as the particle dose distribution in the target object.

Abstract: A combined radiation therapy/PET apparatus includes: an open PET device having multi-ring detector rings that are opposed to each other in the direction of the body axis so as to leave a gap therebetween; and a radiation therapy apparatus for performing radiation therapy through the gap. When imaging the condition of an affected area and a treatment beam for monitoring in radiation therapy of irradiating the affected area with X-rays, gamma rays, or particle beams, the apparatus covers a region of interest in the irradiation field of the radiation therapy with the field-of-view of the open PET device, thereby making possible the positioning of the irradiation field and treatment monitoring using PET images.

Abstract: An imaging system includes interleaved emission detectors and transmission detectors. Emission detectors and transmission detectors can be interleaved along the axis of relative patient motion. Emission detectors and transmission detectors can be interleaved orthogonal to the axis of relative patient motion. Emission detectors can be single photon emission computed tomography detectors and the transmission detectors can be x-ray computed tomography detectors.

Abstract: A Nuclear Medicine (NM) imaging system and method using multiple types of imaging detectors are provided. One NM imaging system includes a gantry, at least a first imaging detector coupled to the gantry, wherein the first imaging detector is a non-moving detector, and at least a second imaging detector coupled to the gantry, wherein the second imaging detector is a moving detector. The first imaging detector is larger than the second imaging detector and the first and second imaging detectors have different detector configurations. The NM imaging system further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the first and second imaging detectors during an imaging scan of an object to acquire Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) image information such that at least the first imaging detector remains stationary with respect to the gantry during image acquisition.

Abstract: A blood counting device comprises a capillary conduit for drawing from a subject in which a radiotracer has previously been injected a quantity of blood in the micro-liter range to produce in the capillary conduit a flow of blood from which beta radiation is emitted. At least one direct beta radiation detector is placed closely adjacent to the capillary conduit. The direct beta radiation detector consists of a semiconductor photodiode which detects the beta radiation from the flow of blood when directly hit by this beta radiation.

Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes a detecting unit including a plurality of radiation detecting elements arranged in a plane for radiation detection, a collimator provided with through holes respectively aligned with the radiation detecting elements and opening in an entrance surface such that radiation from a specified direction is selectively made to fall on the radiation detecting elements. A second case joined to a first case fixed to the side surface of the collimator defines a holding chamber G, and a holder holding the detecting unit is placed in the holding chamber G such that spaces that allow the holder to be moved in a plane parallel to the entrance surface are formed between the holder and the second case. A position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the positional relation between the second case and the holder by moving the holder relative to the second case.

Abstract: In a disclosed imaging method, the instantaneous speed or data acquisition dwell times of a detector head is optimized as a function of position along a path of the detector head around a subject. The optimization is respective to an expected radioactive emission profile of a region of interest that is less than the entire subject. The detector head is traversed along the path using the optimized instantaneous speed or data acquisition dwell times. During the traversing, imaging data are acquired using the detector head. The acquired imaging data are reconstructed to generate a reconstructed image of at least the region of interest. A gamma camera configured to perform the foregoing imaging method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A imaging system for acquiring an image of a subject comprising a gantry (810) having a plurality of detection modules (812). Each detection module comprising a radiation detector and a collimator adjacent a radiation receiving face of the detector. The collimator comprises a plurality of spaced slats and a body adjacent the slats which defines at least one elongated slit extending in an axial direction (824). The slit is arranged such that radiation (822) passes through the slit and between the slats to the detector. The body is opaque to the radiation. The detection modules have a common focus (820) and do not move during acquisition of the image.

Abstract: A PET scanner in which detector rings are arrayed in a multilayered manner so as to oppose each other in the body axis direction is provided. In the PET scanner, a predetermined number of detector units, each of which is made up of a predetermined number of detector rings, are arrayed so as to give each other a clearance, and a first ring set in which the clearance is less than or equal to a mean value of widths of two detector units forming each clearance and a second ring set constituted with a predetermined number of detector units are arrayed apart so as to give a clearance which is less than or equal to a mean value of the width of the first ring set and that of the second ring set, thereby imaging a field-of-view including the clearance and continuing in the body axis direction to an entire length of the first ring set and that of the second ring set.