US3573458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Positron camera with multiplane focusing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-03-27
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Granted: 1971-04-06
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Expires: 1989-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A positron radiation detecting camera for obtaining, in one step, an image of the distribution of radioactivity at several different depths in a living subject. Several views are simultaneously presented, each view being focused at a differing plane in the subject between the image detector and focal detectors of the camera. Thus, it is not necessary to know in advance from which plane the radioactivity will emanate, since at least one image will be in focus. Also, radioactivity may emanate from several planes simultaneously. The radiation is detected as in the prior known single-plane positron camera but positional information is electronically combined in differing ratios to obtain multiplane focusing.
Inventors
- 👤 Hal O Anger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/29; G01T1/2914; G01T1/2985; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A positron camera for obtaining simultaneous multiple images with different planes of focus comprising: image means including an image scintillator-detector assembly, focal means including a focal scintillator-detector assembly, each of said image and focal means being adapted for deriving X-and Y-coordinate position signals of gamma rays emitted from an associated subject, said image scintillator-detector assembly being adapted to be positioned closely adjacent an associated subject emitting gamma rays, said focal scintillator-detector assembly being adapted to be positioned in a predetermined spaced relation with such an associated subject, means adapted for deriving a Z intensity control signal, a pair of pulse stretching circuit means connected to receive said X- and Y-position signals from said image means, an X adder circuit means and a Y adder circuit means, said adder circuit means being coupled to said pulse stretching circuit means for receiving X-and Y-signals therefrom, a pair of pulse stretching circuit means with time varying attenuation connected to receive said X-and Y-position signals from said focal means and direct the output signal thereof to said X and Y adder circuit means, means for deriving a train of X-and Y-image position signals of predetermined amplitude and polarity following said Z control signal and applying same to said X and Y adder circuit means, means for deriving a train of Z intensity unblanking pulses from said Z-control signal timed to occur coincidentally with said X and Y image position signals, and a normally blanked oscilloscope means connected for receiving said Z unblanking pulses and output signals from sAid X and Y adder circuit means to correctly position various images of said train of X and Y image position signals on said oscilloscope means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
A positron camera for obtaining simultaneous multiple images with different planes of focus comprising: image means including an image scintillator-detector assembly, focal means including a focal scintillator-detector assembly, each of said image and focal means being adapted for deriving X-and Y-coordinate position signals of gamma rays emitted from an associated subject, said image scintillator-detector assembly being adapted to be positioned closely adjacent an associated subject emitting gamma rays, said focal scintillator-detector assembly being adapted to be positioned in a predetermined spaced relation with such an associated subject, means adapted for deriving a Z intensity control signal, a pair of pulse stretching circuit means connected to receive said X- and Y-position signals from said image means, an X adder circuit means and a Y adder circuit means, said adder circuit means being coupled to said pulse stretching circuit means for receiving X-and Y-signals therefrom, a pair of pulse stretching circuit means with time varying attenuation connected to receive said X-and Y-position signals from said focal means and direct the output signal thereof to said X and Y adder circuit means, means for deriving a train of X-and Y-image position signals of predetermined amplitude and polarity following said Z control signal and applying same to said X and Y adder circuit means, means for deriving a train of Z intensity unblanking pulses from said Z-control signal timed to occur coincidentally with said X and Y image position signals, and a normally blanked oscilloscope means connected for receiving said Z unblanking pulses and output signals from sAid X and Y adder circuit means to correctly position various images of said train of X and Y image position signals on said oscilloscope means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 1, wherein said image means additionally includes a first computer means and said focal means additionally includes a second computer means, said first computer means being connected to direct X-and Y-position signals therefrom to said pair of pulse stretch circuit means, said second computer means being connected to direct X-and Y-position signals therefrom to said pair of pulse stretching and decaying circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 1, wherein said means for deriving said train of X and Y image position signals includes a pulse stretch circuit means, a delay line means connected to said pulse stretching circuit means, a plurality of cathode follower means operatively connected in unequal spaced increments along said delay line means, and mixer circuit means operatively connected to at least one of said cathode follower means, said mixer circuit means being connected for applying said train of X and Y image position signals to said X and Y adder circuit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 3, wherein said means for deriving said train of Z intensity unblanking pulses includes said pulse stretch circuit means, said delay line means, said cathode follower means, a mixing circuit means operatively connected to said cathode follower means, a delay circuit means receiving the output of said mixing circuit means and directing a signal to a driver circuit means, said driver circuit means output being operatively connected to said oscilloscope means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 4, wherein said means adapted for deriving said Z intensity control signal includes a coincidence circuit means connected to apply an output signal therefrom to said pulse stretch circuit means and connected to receive signals from a pair of pulse height selector means, one of said pulse height selector means being adapted to receive an input signal from said image means, the other of said pulse height selector means being adapted to receive an input signal from said focal means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 1, wherein said means for deriving said Z intensity control signal includes a pair of pulse height selector means adapted to receive input signals from said image and focal means, said pulse height selector means each directing an output signal to a coincidence circuit means which produces an output signal only when signals are received from both of said pair of pulse height selector means, the output signal from said coincidence circuit means forming said Z intensity control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 6, wherein said means for deriving said train of X and Y image position signals includes a pulse stretch circuit means connected to receive said Z intensity control signal from said coincidence circuit means and direct an output signal to a delay line means, said delay line means being connected to direct output signals to a plurality of cathode follower circuit means at unequal spaced increments therealong, a pair of mixer circuit means each operatively connected to at least one of said cathode follower means for receiving a signal therefrom and for directing an output signal thereof to said X and Y adder circuit means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 7, wherein said means for deriving said train of Z intensity unblanking pulses includes a mixing circuit means operatively connected to receive signals from said plurality of cathode follower circuit means and direct an output thereof to a delay circuit means, and a driver circuit means connected to receive an output signal from said delay circuit means and direct an output to said oscilloscope means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
The multiple image posItron camera defined in claim 8, wherein said plurality of cathode follower circuit means consists of six cathode follower circuits, each of said cathode follower circuits being connected to direct signals to one of said pair of mixer circuit means and to said mixing circuit means, two of said cathode follower circuits being additionally connected to direct signals to the other of said mixer circuit means, and wherein said oscilloscope means includes a screen capable of producing six separate images, each image corresponding to a signal from said one of said mixer circuit means and a signal from said mixing circuit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 9, wherein said image means includes an image scintillator-detector assembly and a first deflector computer means, said focal means including a focal scintillator-detector assembly and a second deflector computer means, said pair of pulse height selector means being connected intermediate said assemblies and said computer means to receive signals directly from said image and focal assemblies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 1, wherein said means for deriving said train of X and Y image position signals includes a continuous waveform generator means connected for applying said train of X and Y image position signals to said X and Y adder circuit means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
82 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 11, wherein said means for deriving said train of Z intensity unblanking pulses includes a pulse stretch circuit means the output of which is operatively connected to a first of a pair of serially connected gate circuit means, and said continuous waveform generator means operatively connected to each of said pair of gate circuit means, the output of a second of said pair of gate circuit means functioning as the Z intensity unblanking pulses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 1, wherein each of said pulse stretching circuit means with time varying attenuation comprises a pulse stretching and decaying circuit means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The multiple image positron camera defined in claim 1, wherein each of said pulse stretching circuit means with time varying attenuation comprises a pulse stretching and ramp generating circuit means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3011057A
Cited
US3234386A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-05 | 1974-10-05 | 1975-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-05 | 1978-10-05 | 1979-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-05 | 1982-10-05 | 1983-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |