Nuclear medical imaging device

Abstract

An apparatus for imaging a field of view, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises an x-ray source positioned adjacent to the field of view, a source mask located between the x-ray source and the field of view having at least one source aperture defined therethrough, and an emission detector, such as a gamma camera, adjacent to the field of view. The apparatus may allow substantially concurrent x-ray imaging and gamma imaging of the field of view.

Description

[0001] References to related applications [0002] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 607,319, filed September 3, 2004, and Serial No. 60 / 652,424, filed February 11, 2005 US Provisional Patent Application, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to imaging devices and imaging methods, and more particularly to medical imaging. Background technique [0004] Medical imaging devices come in many forms, including nuclear medicine imaging devices such as those described in Applicant's co-pending patent application, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. As is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, when using nuclear medicine imaging equipment, such as SPECT equipment, it is desirable to determine the amount of radiation attenuation caused by portions of the subject surrounding the imaged region. [0005] SPE...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, x-ray imaging is generally a faster procedure compared to SPECT imaging, and there are no prior devices that allow x-ray and gamma imaging to be performed in parallel

Often, x-ray images are acquired quickly, followed by gamma images relatively slowly, leading to serious problems in data correlation

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