Gamma camera

• US 20050218331A1
• Filed: 05/26/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ELGEMS Ltd
• Original Assignee: ELGEMS Ltd
• Inventors: Blevis, Ira, Tsukerman, Leonid, Hefetz, Yaron
• Granted Patent: US 7,102,138 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/370.90
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1642 using a scintillation crystal and position sensing photodetector arrays, e.g. ANGER cameras

Abstract

A hand gamma camera system for generating an image of a gamma radiation source, the camera comprising a housing designed to be hand held, a gamma radiation image detector mounted on or in the housing that generates detection data responsive to radiation data from a gamma source incident on the radiation detector, a controller connected to the radiation detector that receives the detection data and generates image data and a display mounted on or in the housing that receives the image data from the controller and generates an image.

Claims

1. A hand gamma camera system for generating an image of a gamma radiation source, said camera comprising:

(a) a housing having a handle;

(b) a gamma radiation image detector mounted on or in said housing that generates detection data responsive to radiation data from a gamma source incident on said radiation detector;

(c) a controller that receives said detection data and generates image data;

(d) an antenna attached to said housing and in communication with said controller wherein said antenna is capable of transmitting and receiving data to a remote location; and

,

(e) a display mounted on or in said housing that receives said image data from said controller and generates an image.

2-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A hand gamma camera system for generating an image of a gamma radiation source, said camera comprising:

(a) a housing having a handle;

(b) a gamma radiation image detector mounted on or in said housing that generates detection data responsive to radiation data from a gamma source incident on said radiation detector;

(c) a controller that receives said detection data and generates image data;

(d) a fixed focus collimator having a predetermined focal distance that focuses the gamma camera image substantially at said focal distance from the gamma camera; and

,

(e) a display mounted on or in said housing that receives said image data from said controller and generates an image.

22. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said controller is in or on said housing.

23. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said controller is at a remote location from said housing.

24. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein further comprising a fixed focus collimator having a predetermined focal distance that focuses the gamma camera image substantially at the focal distance from the gamma camera.

25. A gamma camera according to claim 24 wherein said controller is responsive to said transducer and provides at least one of the following distances on said display;

the camera focal length;

the distance between said gamma source and said tissue surface; and

the distance of said camera in relation to said surface.

26. A gamma camera according to claim 25 wherein an operator-operated distance control causes said display to display at least one of said distances.

27. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said camera is provided with a self-contained power supply that supplies power to said camera.

28. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said display provides an image in real time.

29. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said controller is operable to provide image data at a plurality of resolutions to said display.

30. A gamma camera according to claim 29 wherein an operator-operated resolution control, controls said image data resolution provided by said controller to said display.

31. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said camera comprises a position transponder that provides position data of said camera, to said display.

32. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said camera comprises a position transponder that provides orientation data of said camera, to said display.

33. A gamma camera according to claim 31, wherein an operator-operated control on said housing causes said position transponder to provide at least one of said position information and orientation information to said display.

34. A gamma camera according to claim 26 wherein said operator-operated controls are attached to said camera.

35. A gamma camera according to claim 26 wherein said operator-operated controls are remote from said camera.

36. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said image detector comprises solid state circuit radiation detectors.

37. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said image detector comprises miniature PMT'"'"'s.

38. A gamma camera according to claim 21 wherein said display is adapted to move in relation to said housing.

39. A gamma camera according to claim 21 comprising a moveable articulation between said handle and said housing.

40. A Gamma camera according to claim 21 and including an antenna attached to said housing and in communication with said controller wherein said antenna is capable of transmitting and receiving data to a remote location;