Adjustable dual-detector image data acquisition system

Abstract

An improved image acquisition system allows the angular displacement between two detectors to be adjusted between 90.degree. and 180.degree. to reduce the imaging time for both 360.degree. and 180.degree. scans. A patient table is displaced vertically and horizontally from a lateral axis to allow the body of a patient to be positioned next to the detectors and to improve resolution.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to imaging systems and more particularly to imaging systems for use in nuclear medicine.2. Description of the Relevant ArtGamma ray cameras are used in nuclear medicine to generate high quality images for brain, SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computer Tomograph), and total body bone studies. These cameras are most frequently used for cardiac and total body bone studies.It is very important that the gamma ray camera be designed for high patient throughput for both economic and therapeutic reasons. The cost for diagnosing each patient is reduced if more patients can be diagnosed per unit time. For very sick patients or patients in intensive care it is important to minimize the time required to acquire image data. Patient throughput is increased if imaging time is reduced. Other factors, such as patient set-up time also affect patient throughput.Modern gamma ray cameras utilize detectors, such as...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a unique system for reducing the imaging time required to generate a 180.degree. SPECT image.

According to one aspect of the invention, the angular displacement between two detectors may adjusted to any angle between about 90.degree. and 180.degree. and the detectors can be rotated to any desired angular position along a circular path centered on a lateral axis. Thus, the system can be optimally configured for total body scans and 360.degree. SPECT (relative angular displacement of 180.degree.) and 180.degree. SPECT (relative angular displacement of 90.degree.) to provide a very flexible system.

Problems solved by technology

These detectors use thick lead collimators to focus images and are thus very heavy.

The triple-head system is no more efficient than the single-head system because the detectors cannot be aligned to acquire simultaneous anterior / posterior or left / right lateral data.

Further, as described above, the existing systems each have advantages for particular applications but generally lack the flexibility for optimal performance over a range of applications.

Additionally, although cardiac SPECT imaging accounts for about 33% of the use of gamma ray cameras, none of the systems significantly reduce the imaging time for the 180.degree. scan used in forming cardiac SPECT images.

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