Abstract A nuclear medicine imaging system having two large field of view scintillation cameras mounted on a rotatable gantry and being movable diametrically toward or away from each other is disclosed. In addition, each camera may be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the diameter of the gantry. The movement of the cameras allows the system to be used for a variety of studies, including positron annihilation, and conventional single photon emission, as well as static orthogonal dual multi-pinhole tomography. In orthogonal dual multi-pinhole tomography, each camera is fitted with a seven pinhole collimator to provide seven views from slightly different perspectives. By using two cameras at an angle to each other, improved sensitivity and depth resolution is achieved. The computer system and interface acquires and stores a broad range of information in list mode, including patient physiological data, energy data over the full range detected by the cameras, and the camera position. The list mode acquisition permits the study of attenuation as a result of Compton scatter, as well as studies involving the isolation and correlation of energy with a range of physiological conditions.
A nuclear imaging system comprising: a) a rotatable gantry having a horizontal axis of rotation; b) a pair of large field of view scintillation cameras mounted on opposite sides of the gantry; c) means for moving the cameras diametrically toward or away from each other; d) means for rotating each camera about an axis perpendicular to the diametrical line of movement of the cameras, whereby the cameras may be positioned facing each other or may be positioned at an angle to each other; and e) computing means for processing signals from the cameras to form images of radioactive subjects placed in the field of view of the cameras.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A nuclear imaging system comprising: a) a rotatable gantry having a horizontal axis of rotation; b) a pair of large field of view scintillation cameras mounted on opposite sides of the gantry; c) means for moving the cameras diametrically toward or away from each other; d) means for rotating each camera about an axis perpendicular to the diametrical line of movement of the cameras, whereby the cameras may be positioned facing each other or may be positioned at an angle to each other; and e) computing means for processing signals from the cameras to form images of radioactive subjects placed in the field of view of the cameras.