Imaging probe and method
First Claim
1. A method for imaging internal structure of a body, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a radiation-emitting substance into the body;
inserting into the body a minaturized probe coupled to a cable, the probe including a plurality of radiation detectors, each detector being surrounded by a respective coded aperture, the coded apertures being at different relative rotational orientations;
receiving signals from the detectors via the cable for a series of positional translations of the probe, without rotation of the probe; and
processing the signals from the detectors to obtain an image of a radiation pattern within the body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for imaging radiation pattern from within a body. In accordance with the preferred method of the invention, there is provided a technique for imaging internal structure of a body which includes the following steps: a radiation-emitting substance is introduced into the body. A miniaturized probe is inserted into the body, the probe being coupled to a cable and including at least one radiation detector surrounded by a coded aperture. Signals are received from the detector via the cable for a series of positions of the probe and for different orientations of the coded aperture with respect to the body. The signals from the detector are processed to obtain an image of the radiation pattern within the body. The imaging hereof allows both the position and the strength of a source (e.g. a tumor) to be determined in the presence of background radiation. The use of an internal probe simultaneously allows advantage to be taken of the increase in count rate and resolution resulting from proximity to the source.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for imaging internal structure of a body, comprising the steps of:
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introducing a radiation-emitting substance into the body; inserting into the body a minaturized probe coupled to a cable, the probe including a plurality of radiation detectors, each detector being surrounded by a respective coded aperture, the coded apertures being at different relative rotational orientations; receiving signals from the detectors via the cable for a series of positional translations of the probe, without rotation of the probe; and processing the signals from the detectors to obtain an image of a radiation pattern within the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Apparatus for imaging a radiation pattern from within a body, comprising:
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a cable; a minaturized probe coupled to the cable and insertable into the body, the probe including;
a plurality of radiation detectors separated by parallel radiation-opaque axial collimators;
each detector having an associated azimuthal collimator ring with a coded aperture pattern thereon, said collimator rings being disposed around their respective detectors, the coded aperture patterns of said collimator rings being at different relative rotational orientations;means for obtaining output signals from said detectors for a series of positional translations of said probe; and means responsive to said output signals for processing said output signals to obtain an image. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification