Pet camera with individually rotatable detector modules and/or individually movable shielding sections

• US 20020148970A1
• Filed: 01/07/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Uribe, Jorge, Baghaei, Hossain, Li, Hongdi, Wong, Wai-Hoi
• Granted Patent: US 6,744,053 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/394
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1615 using both transmission and emission sources simultaneously SPECT imaging G01T1/1642; PET imaging G01T1/2985; detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects G01V5/20
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1644 using an array of optically separate scintillation elements permitting direct location of scintillations G01T1/1645 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2985 In depth localisation, e.g. using positron emitters; Tomographic imaging (longitudinal and transverse section imaging; apparatus for radiation diagnosis sequentially in different planes, steroscopic radiation diagnosis); using external radiation sources A61B6/02

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for a positron emission tomography camera with individually rotatable detector modules and/or individually movable shielding sections. An apparatus, includes a detector ring including a plurality of individually movable detector modules. Another apparatus, includes a radiation shield including a plurality of individually moveable shield sections. A method, includes generating an emission image of a sample; generating a transmission image of said sample while generating said emission image of said sample; and then correcting said emission image with said transmission image.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising a detector ring including a plurality of individually movable detector modules.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein H/D_S is approximately equal to W/D_L where H is a detecting facet shorter dimension, W is a detecting facet longer dimension, D_S is a small mode detector ring diameter and D_L is a large mode detector ring diameter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detector ring defines a primary axis and the plurality of individually movable detector modules include:

a first rotatable detector module that is rotatable about a first module axis; and

a second rotatable detector module that is rotatable about a second module axis.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first module axis is substantially perpendicular to said primary axis and said second module axis is substantially perpendicular to said primary axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein

said first rotatable detector module is repositionable between a first detector large mode position, where a first detecting facet longer dimension is substantially perpendicular to said primary axis, and a first detector small mode position, where said first detecting facet longer dimension is substantially parallel to said primary axis and

said second rotatable detector module is repositionable between a second detector large mode position, where a second detecting facet longer dimension is substantially perpendicular to said primary axis, and a second detector small mode position, where said second detecting facet longer dimension is substantially parallel to said primary axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein there is substantially no gap between said first rotatable detector module and said second rotatable detector module, when said first rotatable detector module is in said first detector large mode position and said second rotatable detector module is in said second detector large mode position.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein there is substantially no gap between said first rotatable detector module and said second rotatable detector module, when said first rotatable detector module is in said first detector small mode position and said second rotatable detector module is in said small mode position.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein i) said first rotatable detector module is continuously rotatable between said first detector large mode position and said first detector small mode position and ii) said second rotatable detector module is continuously rotatable between said second detector large mode position and said second detector small mode position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein there is a gap between said first rotatable detector module and said second rotatable detector module, when i) said first rotatable detector module is positioned between said first detector small mode position and said first detector large mode position and ii) said second rotatable detector module is positioned between said second detector small mode position and said second detector large mode position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first rotatable detector module is radially withdrawn from said primary axis to a first rotatable detector standby position for at least a portion of time during which said first rotatable detector module is rotated between said first detector small mode position and said first detector large mode position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said second rotatable detector module is radially withdrawn from said primary axis to a second rotatable detector standby position for at least said portion of time during which said second rotatable detector module is rotated between said second detector small mode position and said second detector large mode position.

12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein both said first rotatable detector module and said second rotatable detector module are radially displaceable with regard to the primary axis of the detector ring.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein radial displacement of both said first rotatable detector module and said second rotatable detector module can occur simultaneously with individual rotation of both said first rotatable detector and said second rotatable detector.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of individually moveable detector ring shield sections coupled to said detector ring.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein i) said detector ring defines a primary axis, ii) a first subset of said plurality of individually movable detector modules can be positioned in a small mode position where detecting facet longer dimensions of said first subset are substantially parallel to said primary axis and iii) a second subset of said plurality of individually movable detector modules can be positioned in a large mode position where detecting facet longer dimensions of said second subset are substantially perpendicular to said primary axis.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein i) said detector ring defines a primary axis, ii) a first subset of said plurality of individually movable detector modules can be positioned in a sub-small mode position and iii) a second subset of said plurality of individually movable detector modules can be positioned in a standby position, said second subset located further from said primary axis than said first subset.

17. A method for positron emission tomography which comprises utilizing the apparatus of claim 1.

18. A positron emission tomography camera, comprising the apparatus of claim 1.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein H/D_S is approximately equal to W/D_L where H is a detecting facet shorter dimension, W is a detecting facet longer dimension, D_S is a small mode detector ring diameter and D_L is a large mode detector ring diameter.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said detector ring defines a primary axis and converting includes rotating a first rotatable detector module about a first module axis and rotating a second rotatable detector module about a second module axis.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said first module axis is substantially perpendicular to said primary axis and said second module axis is substantially perpendicular to said primary axis.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein converting includes

rotating said first rotatable detector module between a first detector large mode position, where a first detecting facet longer dimension is substantially perpendicular to said primary axis, and a first detector small mode position, where said first detecting facet longer dimension is substantially parallel to said primary axis and

rotating said second rotatable detector module between a second detector large mode position, where a second detecting facet longer dimension is substantially perpendicular to said primary axis, and a second detector small mode position, where said second detecting facet longer dimension is substantially parallel to said primary axis.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein there is substantially no gap between said first rotatable detector module and said second rotatable detector module, when said first rotatable detector module is in said first detector large mode position and said second rotatable detector module is in said second detector large mode position.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein there is substantially no gap between said first rotatable detector module and said second rotatable detector module, when said first rotatable detector module is in said first detector small mode position and said second rotatable detector module is in said small mode position.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein i) said first rotatable detector module is continuously rotatable between said first detector large mode position and said first detector small mode position and ii) said second rotatable detector module is continuously rotatable between said second detector large mode position and said second detector small mode position.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein there is a gap between said first rotatable detector module and said second rotatable detector module, when i) said first rotatable detector module is positioned between said first detector small mode position and said first detector large mode position and ii) said second rotatable detector module is positioned between said second detector small mode position and said second detector large mode position.

28. The method of claim 21, further comprising radially displacing said first rotatable detector module with regard to said primary axis and radially displacing said second rotatable detector module with regard to said primary axis.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said first rotatable detector module is radially withdrawn from said primary axis to a first rotatable detector standby position for at least a portion of time during which said first rotatable detector module is rotated between said first detector small mode position and said first detector large mode position.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said second rotatable detector module is radially withdrawn from said primary axis to a second rotatable detector standby position for at least said portion of time during which said second rotatable detector module is rotated between said second detector small mode position and said second detector large mode position.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein radial displacement of both said first rotatable detector module and said second rotatable detector module can occur simultaneously with individual rotation of both said first rotatable detector and said second rotatable detector.

32. The method of claim 19, further comprising moving at least one of a plurality of individually moveable detector ring shield sections that are coupled to said detector ring.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein said detector ring defines a primary axis and further comprising positioning i) a first subset of said plurality of individually movable detector modules in a small mode position where detecting facet longer dimensions of said first subset are substantially parallel to said primary axis ii) and a second subset of said plurality of individually movable detector modules in a large mode position where detecting facet longer dimensions of said second subset are substantially perpendicular to said primary axis.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein said detector ring defines a primary axis and further comprising positioning i) a first subset of said plurality of individually movable detector modules in a sub-small mode position and ii) a second subset of said plurality of individually movable detector modules can be positioned in a standby position, said second subset located further from said primary axis than said first subset.

35. An apparatus for performing the method of claim 19.

36. An electronic media, comprising a program for performing the method of claim 18.

37. A computer program, comprising computer or machine readable program elements translatable for implementing the method of claim 19.

38. The method of claim 19, further comprising imaging a sample.

39. A data file, comprising an image made by the method of claim 38.

19. A method, comprising:

converting a detector ring including moving at least one of a plurality of independently movable detector modules.

40. A computer program comprising computer program means adapted to perform the steps of converting a detector ring including moving at least one of a plurality of independently movable detector modules when said program is run on a computer.

41. The computer program of claim 40, wherein H/D_S is approximately equal to W/D_L where H is a detecting facet shorter dimension, W is a detecting facet longer dimension, D_S is a small mode detector ring diameter and D_L is a large mode detector ring diameter.

42. A computer program as claimed in claim 40, embodied on a computer-readable medium.

43. An apparatus, comprising a radiation shield including a plurality of individually moveable shield sections.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said radiation shield includes a positron emission tomography detector ring side shield.

45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is reversibly pivotable about an axis that is substantially parallel to a major plane defined by said radiation shield.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said radiation shield includes a fixed shield section to which the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is coupled.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said fixed shield segment includes a backer section that substantially matches a shape of the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said radiation shield includes a moveable shield section to which the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is coupled.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said moveable shield segment includes a backer section that substantially matches a shape of the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections.

50. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shields is reversibly slidable along a direction that is substantially parallel to a major plane defined by said radiation shield.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said radiation shield includes a fixed shield section to which the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is coupled.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said fixed shield segment includes a backer section that substantially matches a shape of the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections.

53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said radiation shield includes a moveable shield section to which the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is coupled.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said moveable shield segment includes a backer section that substantially matches a shape of the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections.

55. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is moved based on a signal transmitted by a computer program.

56. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections can be reversibly reoriented manually.

57. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising a positron emission tomography detector ring coupled to said radiation shield.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein H/D_S is approximately equal to W/D_L where H is a detecting facet shorter dimension, W is a detecting facet longer dimension, D_S is a small mode detector ring diameter and D_L is a large mode detector ring diameter.

59. The apparatus of claim 57, further comprising another radiation shield coupled to said positron emission tomography detector ring.

60. A method for shielding radiation which comprises utilizing the apparatus of claim 43.

61. A positron emission tomography camera, comprising the apparatus of claim 43.

72. An electronic media, comprising a program for performing the method of claim 50.

62. A method, comprising:

reconfiguring a positron emission tomograph radiation shield including moving at least one of a plurality of independently movable shield sections.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising moving a moveable shield section to which the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is coupled.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein moving includes pivoting the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections about an axis that is substantially parallel to a major plane defined by said radiation shield.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising moving a moveable shield section to which the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is coupled.

66. The method of claim 62, wherein moving includes sliding the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shields along a direction that is substantially parallel to a major plane defined by said radiation shield.

67. The method of claim 66, further comprising moving a moveable shield section to which the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is coupled.

68. The method of claim 62, wherein the at least one of said plurality of individually moveable shield sections is moved based on a signal transmitted by a computer program.

69. The method of claim 62, further comprising moving at least one of a plurality of individually moveable detector modules.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein H/D_S is approximately equal to W/D_L where H is a detecting facet shorter dimension, W is a detecting facet longer dimension, D_S is a small mode detector ring diameter and D_L is a large mode detector ring diameter.

71. An apparatus for performing the method of claim 62.

73. A computer program, comprising computer or machine readable program elements translatable for implementing the method of claim 62.

74. The method of claim 62, further comprising imaging a sample.

75. A data file, comprising an image made by the method of claim 74.

82. An electronic media, comprising a program for performing the method of claim 73.

76. A computer program comprising computer program means adapted to perform the steps of reconfiguring a radiation shield including moving at least one of a plurality of independently movable shield sections when said program is run on a computer.

77. A computer program as claimed in claim 76, embodied on a computer readable medium.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein said emission image includes a positron emission image and said transmission image includes a positron transmission image.

80. The method of claim 79, further comprising, before generating said positron emission image and said positron transmission image, positioning i) a first subset of a plurality of individually movable detector modules in a small mode position where detecting facet longer dimensions of said first subset are substantially parallel to a primary axis of a detector ring ii) and a second subset of said plurality of individually movable detector modules in a large mode position where detecting facet longer dimensions of said second subset are substantially perpendicular to said primary axis.

81. An apparatus for performing the method of claim 78.

83. A computer program, comprising computer or machine readable program elements translatable for implementing the method of claim 78.

84. A data file, comprising an image made by the method of claim 78.

78. A method, comprising:

generating an emission image of a sample;

generating a transmission image of said sample while generating said emission image of said sample; and

then

correcting said emission image with said transmission image.

85. A computer program comprising computer program means adapted to perform the steps of generating an emission image of a sample;

generating a transmission image of said sample while generating said emission image of said sample; and

then correcting said emission image with said transmission image when said program is run on a computer.

86. A computer program as claimed in claim 85, embodied on a computer-readable medium.