Mini gamma camera, camera system and method of use

• US 6,271,525 B1
• Filed: 09/23/1998
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jefferson Science Associates, Llc
• Original Assignee: Southeastern Universities Research ASS Incorporated
• Inventors: Majewski, Stanislaw, Weisenberger, Andrew G., Wojcik, Randolph F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANIG, RICHARD E
• Application Number:
  US09/159,177
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 250/363.1, 250/363.02, 250/367, 250/368, 250/369, 250/207, 250/214.VT
• US Class Current: 250/367
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4258 for detecting non x-ray radiation, e.g. gamma radiation A61B6/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1642 using a scintillation crystal and position sensing photodetector arrays, e.g. ANGER cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1644 using an array of optically separate scintillation elements permitting direct location of scintillations G01T1/1645 takes precedence

Abstract

A gamma camera comprising essentially and in order from the front outer or gamma ray impinging surface: 1) a collimator, 2) a scintillator layer, 3) a light guide, 4) an array of position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes, and 5) printed circuitry for receipt of the output of the photomultipliers. There is also described, a system wherein the output supplied by the high resolution, position sensitive photomultipiler tubes is communicated to: a) a digitizer and b) a computer where it is processed using advanced image processing techniques and a specific algorithm to calculate the center of gravity of any abnormality observed during imaging, and c) optional image display and telecommunications ports.

Claims

1. A gamma camera comprising:

1) a collimator;

2) a scintillator layer comprising a matrix of parallel scintillator crystals held together by a layer of reflecting material;

3) a light guide;

4) an array of position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes having x and y anode sectors providing an output;

5) printed circuitry for receipt of the output of the photomultiplier tubes;

6) a digitzer; and

7) a computer including image processing software where said image processing software determines the center of gravity calculation of the signals disturbed on the X and Y anode sectors of said position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes by truncating from the center of gravity calculation the anode sectors that carry low signals.

2. The gamma camera of claim 1 wherein each of the position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes is capable of resolution below about 1 mm.

3. The gamma camera of claim 1 wherein each of the position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes in comprised of at lest 16 pixels.

4. The gamma camera of claim 1 wherein each of the position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes is equipped with a charge division readout circuit.

5. The gamma camera of claim 1 further including image display and at least one telecommunication port.

6. A method for determining the existence and defining the position of a lesion of other similar abnormality in the human body comprising the steps of:

I. exposing an area of the human body suspected of containing the lesion of other abnormality previously injected with a radiotracer to a gamma camera comprising;

a) a collimator;

b) a scintillator layer comprising a matrix of parallel scintillator crystals held together by a layer of reflecting material;

c) a light guide;

d) an array of position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes having x and y anode sectors providing an output; and

e) printed circuitry for receipt of the output of the photomultiplier tubes;

II. digitizing the output of the photomultiplier tubes; and

III. providing a computer including imaging processing software where said image processing software determines the center of gravity calculating of the signals distribution on the x and y anode sectors of the position sensitive, high resolution photomultiplier tubes by truncating from the center of gravity calculation the anode sectors that carry low signals.