System and method for time-of-flight imaging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for producing diagnostic images comprising:
- a clock generating a clock signal;
a radiation source directing photons through a subject to be imaged;
a detector system detecting the photons;
a memory module recording a time of detection of the photons by the detector system with respect to the clock signal; and
a processor calculating a time of flight (TOF) of the photons to the detector system and comparing the TOF to a reference TOF to determine a delay in the TOF attributable to the photons passing trough the subject.
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Abstract
A system and method for imaging a subject includes a clock that generates a clock signal and a radiation source that directs photons through the subject in response to the clock signal. A detector system is included that detects the photons and a memory module records a time of detection of the photons by the detector system with respect to the clock signal. The system includes a processor that calculates a time of flight (TOF) of the photons from the radiation source to the detector system and compares the TOF to a reference TOF to determine a delay in the TOF attributable to the photons passing trough the subject.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for producing diagnostic images comprising:
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a clock generating a clock signal; a radiation source directing photons through a subject to be imaged; a detector system detecting the photons; a memory module recording a time of detection of the photons by the detector system with respect to the clock signal; and a processor calculating a time of flight (TOF) of the photons to the detector system and comparing the TOF to a reference TOF to determine a delay in the TOF attributable to the photons passing trough the subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for producing an image of a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) directing photons through a subject from one side of the subject; b) detecting the location of the photons passing through the subject to another side of the subject opposite the one side of the subject; c) measuring a time of flight (TOF) of the detected photons; and d) comparing the TOF of the detected photons to a reference TOF to determine a delay incurred by the photons by passing through the subject; and e) reconstructing an image of the subject using the location and the delay incurred by the photons passing through the subject determined in steps b) and d). - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for producing diagnostic images comprising:
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a radiation source including a positron annihilation source disposed to one side a subject to direct photons through a subject to be imaged; a reference detector array arranged on the one side of the subject to receive first gamma rays produced by annihilation events; an image detector array arranged on a side of the subject opposite the one side of the subject to receive second gamma rays produced the annihilation events after the second gamma rays pass through the subject; a processor calculating a time of flight (TOF) difference between receiving the first gamma rays at the reference detector and the second gamma rays at the image detector; and means for reconstructing an image of the subject based on the TOF difference. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification