Gamma camera split collimator collimation method and apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A diagnostic imaging system comprising:
- a gantry for movably supporting a detector head, the detector head receiving radiation from an examination region and generating data indicative thereof;
a detector collimator disposed between a radiation receiving face of the detector head and the examination region for collimating the radiation received by the detector head, the collimator being separated laterally into a first portion and a second portion both extending laterally across the detector, the first portion and the second portion being spaced from each other defining a lateral gap therebetween such that the radiation from the examination region is collimated through both the first and second portions of the collimator before being received by the detector head; and
,a reconstruction processor for reconstructing an image representation from the data generated.
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Abstract
A SPECT system includes two or more radiation detector heads (32) and (34) which are mounted opposite each other to a gantry (30) for rotation about a subject. Each detector head has a collimator (38) mounted in front of the detector head. The collimator (38) is separated into a top portion (40) and a bottom portion (42). The top portion (40) and bottom portion (42) are spaced from each other to provide a gap (44) within the collimator (38). The gap (44) receives one or more devices to provide additional functionality during a scan. The insertable devices include a transmission radiation source (52), a calibration source, a radiation filter, and others.
61 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A diagnostic imaging system comprising:
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a gantry for movably supporting a detector head, the detector head receiving radiation from an examination region and generating data indicative thereof; a detector collimator disposed between a radiation receiving face of the detector head and the examination region for collimating the radiation received by the detector head, the collimator being separated laterally into a first portion and a second portion both extending laterally across the detector, the first portion and the second portion being spaced from each other defining a lateral gap therebetween such that the radiation from the examination region is collimated through both the first and second portions of the collimator before being received by the detector head; and
,a reconstruction processor for reconstructing an image representation from the data generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8)
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6. A diagnostic imaging system comprising:
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a gantry for movably supporting a detector head, the detector head receiving radiation from an examination region and generating data indicative thereof; a collimator disposed between a radiation receiving face of the detector head and the examination region for collimating the radiation received by the detector head, the collimator being separated laterally into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being spaced from each other defining a lateral gap therebetween; one of a transmission radiation source, a calibration source, a radiation filter, an ion chamber, and a screen film imaging device disposed in the gap; and a reconstruction processor for reconstructing an image representation from the data generated.
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9. In a diagnostic imaging system for examining a subject in an examination region who has been injected with a radiopharmaceutical having a first characteristic energy level, the imaging system including at least one detector head mounted adjacent the examination region for receiving emission radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceutical and a reconstruction processor for reconstructing an image representation based on the radiation received by the at least one detector head, the improvement comprising:
a collimator having a first portion and a second portion both disposed between the examination region and the detector head and the first portion extending along a radiation receiving face of the detector and the second portion extending along the first portion, the first and second collimator portions being spaced to define a gap therebetween.
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10. In a diagnostic imaging system for examining a subject in an examination region who has been injected with a radiopharmaceutical having a first characteristic energy level, the imaging system including at least one detector head mounted adjacent the examination region for receiving emission radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceutical and a reconstruction processor for reconstructing an image representation based on the radiation received by the at least one detector head, the improvement comprising:
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a collimator having a first portion and a second portion disposed between the examination region and the detector head, the first and second collimator portions being spaced to define a gap therebetween; and a radiation source disposed within the gap between the first and second portions of the collimator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of diagnostic imaging with a camera system including a detector head for receiving radiation traversing an examination region, the detector head having a collimator mounted on a radiation receiving face thereof between the detector head and the examination region, the method comprising:
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providing a lateral gap parallel to the radiation receiving face within the collimator; injecting a radiopharmaceutical into a subject in the examination region, the radiopharmaceutical emitting radiation; moving the detector head around the examination region; collimating the emitted radiation through the collimator; and
,receiving the emitted radiation with the detector head. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method of diagnostic imaging with a camera system including a detector head for receiving radiation traversing an examination region, the detector head having a collimator mounted on a radiation receiving face thereof, the collimator having a lateral gap defined between a first portion of the collimator and a second portion of the collimator disposed between the examination region and the radiation receiving face of the detector head, and a transmission radiation source moveably mounted in the gap, the method comprising:
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injecting a radiopharmaceutical into a subject in the examination region, the radiopharmaceutical emitting radiation; translating the transmission radiation source through the gap such that (1) a portion of the radiation from the radiation source is transmitted through the first collimator portion to the subject and (2) a portion of the radiation is backscattered, strikes the second collimator portion at an angle, and is absorbed by the second collimator portion; moving the detector head around the examination region; collimating the emitted radiation through the collimator; and
,receiving the emitted radiation with the detector head.
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16. A detector collimator for diagnostic imaging systems which includes a detector head having a radiation receiving face for receiving radiation from a subject injected with a radiopharmaceutical, which radiation has passed through the detector collimator, the collimator comprising:
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a first collimator section including a plurality of septa extending between a subject facing surface and a detector facing surface of the first collimator section; a second collimator section including a plurality of septa extending between a subject facing surface and a detector facing surface of the second collimator section; and
,a mechanical structure that joins the first and second collimator sections in a spaced relationship with a space in between, the first and second collimator sections both being disposed parallel to the radiation receiving face between the subject and the detector head. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification