Portable positron emission imaging device and imaging system

Abstract

The application discloses a portable positron emission imaging device and an imaging system. The portable positron emission imaging device can include: a pair of support structures pivotably installed; a pair of detectors mechanically fixed to the pair of support structures, respectively; and a readout circuit module, wherein the pair of detectors are electrically connected to the readout circuit module, wherein the pair of support structures are configured to be able to pivot between a first pivot position and a second pivot position, in the first pivot position, the pair of detectors surround a first detection part of an object to be detected, in the second pivot position, the pair of detectors surround a second detection part of the object to be detected. The portable positron emission imaging device and the imaging system can effectively expand the application range of the PET device or system.

Description

Portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging equipment and imaging system Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical devices, and more specifically, to portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging equipment and imaging systems. Background Technology

[0002] Positron emission tomography (PET) is one of the world's most advanced molecular imaging technologies. It can non-invasively, quantitatively, and dynamically assess the metabolic levels, biochemical reactions, and functional activities of various organs in a living organism by imaging compounds labeled with radioactive nuclides. It has high sensitivity and accuracy.

[0003] In recent years, with the continuous emergence of more new PET application scenarios, the requirements for the performance and structural adaptability of PET systems have become increasingly higher, and the mobility and portability of PET systems have become increasingly prominent.

[0004] However, most current PET systems are still fixed whole-body PET systems, meaning the PET unit is mechanically fixed to the examination table. During the examination, the patient must lie on the table, which then guides the PET scan into the PET loop. The patient must remain still throughout the scan. This examination method not only limits the patient's examination location but also restricts their posture.

[0005] Currently, while some PET designs offer good mobility and portability, these are typically portable PET devices that are fixedly worn on a specific part of the body. Consequently, the detection range of such portable PET devices is limited to the fixed wearing site. Sometimes, these portable PET devices may still restrict the patient's examination location and posture.

[0006] The background art description is provided solely for the purpose of understanding the relevant technologies in this field and is not intended as an admission of prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, this application intends to provide a portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device and imaging system, which can effectively expand the inspection range of the object under test using the device or system, and also make various inspection occasions and inspection postures possible.

[0008] In a first aspect, a portable positron emission tomography (PET) device is provided, which may include: a pair of pivotally mounted support structures; a pair of detectors respectively fixed to the pair of support structures; and a readout circuit module, wherein the readout circuit module is electrically connected to the pair of detectors to read out detection data, the pair of support structures being configured to pivot between a first pivot position and a second pivot position, wherein in the first pivot position the pair of detectors are allowed to surround a first detection portion of an object to be detected, and in the second pivot position the pair of detectors are allowed to surround a second detection portion of the object to be detected.

[0009] In some embodiments, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device may further include a housing structure to which the support structure is pivotally mounted, and the readout circuit module is housed within the housing structure.

[0010] In some embodiments, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device may further include: a first drive mechanism configured to drive the pair of support structures to pivot between a first pivot position and a second pivot position.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pair of support structures are configured to be height-adjustable to support the pair of detectors to move within a certain height range around a first and / or second detection portion of the object to be detected.

[0012] In some embodiments, the portable positron emission tomography device further includes a second drive mechanism for driving the pair of support structures to rise and fall.

[0013] In some embodiments, each support structure includes a first support member, a second support member fixedly connected to a respective detector, and a hinge connecting the first and second supports members.

[0014] In some embodiments, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device further includes a third drive mechanism for driving the first support member of the pair of support structures to rotate about the hinge between a vertical position perpendicular to the second support member and a coaxial position coaxial with the second support member.

[0015] In some embodiments, the housing structure is a backpack structure.

[0016] In some embodiments, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device may further include: a chest detector disposed around the chest of the subject, wherein the readout circuit module is electrically connected to the chest detector to read out chest detection data; and a suspension structure for suspending the chest detector and / or a fastening structure for securing the chest detector to the subject.

[0017] In some embodiments, the chest detector includes a plurality of chest detector units and a wearable body for supporting the plurality of chest detector units, each of the chest detector units including a scintillation crystal array and a photoelectric converter.

[0018] In some embodiments, the backpack structure is fixedly connected to the wearable body.

[0019] In some embodiments, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device may further include a bracket for supporting the support structure on a base or the ground.

[0020] In some embodiments, each of the pair of detectors is a semi-ring structure; or, each of the pair of detectors is a half-structure constructed of multiple flat plates.

[0021] In some embodiments, the pair of detectors are detachably attached to the pair of support structures, and the receiving structure is configured to receive the detached pair of detectors; the pair of support structures also include a pluggable electrical interface through which the pair of detectors are electrically connected to the readout circuit module.

[0022] In some embodiments, each of the pair of detectors includes a plurality of detector units and a support housing having a plurality of receiving slots for accommodating the plurality of detector units, each of the detector units including a scintillation crystal array and a photoelectric converter.

[0023] In some embodiments, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device may further include a battery module configured to power the portable PET device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device may further include: an information transmission module configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computer to transmit data of the portable PET imaging device and / or receive data from the remote computer.

[0025] In some embodiments, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device may further include: an interaction module configured to input physiological data of the subject and / or display positron reconstructed image information to the subject and / or control the operation of the portable PET imaging device.

[0026] In a second aspect, an imaging system is provided, which may include: a portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to embodiments of the present application; and at least one remote computer wirelessly communicating with the information transmission module, the remote computer including an image reconstruction unit, wherein the at least one remote computer receives detection data from the portable PET imaging device, and the image reconstruction unit is configured to reconstruct a positron emission tomography image using the detection data.

[0027] In some embodiments, the at least one remote computer is further configured to transmit the positron emission tomography (PET) images to the portable PET imaging device.

[0028] The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device and system provided in this application, through a pivotable support structure for the paired detectors, can pivot between two pivotal positions, effectively expanding the inspection range of the object under test. For example, selective detection can be performed between the head and groin areas. Furthermore, this paired detector and its pivotable support structure also enable various inspection scenarios and postures.

[0029] The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device and system provided in other embodiments of this application effectively expand the inspection range of the object under test by moving the support structure that supports the detector within a certain lifting range. For example, it can perform detection over a larger area of ​​the head. Furthermore, this detector and its lifting support structure also enable various inspection scenarios and postures.

[0030] Optional features and other effects of the embodiments of this application are described in part below, and in part will be apparent from reading this document. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The embodiments of this application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The elements shown are not limited to the scale shown in the drawings, and the same or similar reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar elements, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a portable positron emission tomography (PET) device according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the support structure of the portable PET device is located in a first pivot position;

[0033] Figure 2 shows another schematic diagram of the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device shown in Figure 1, wherein the support structure of the portable PET imaging device is located in the middle position;

[0034] Figure 3 shows another schematic diagram of the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device shown in Figure 1, wherein the support structure of the portable PET imaging device is located in the second pivot position;

[0035] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a portable positron emission tomography (PET) device worn on the human body according to an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 5 shows another schematic diagram of the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device shown in Figure 4, wherein the detector unit of the portable PET imaging device is placed in a backpack structure;

[0037] Figure 6 shows another schematic diagram of the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device shown in Figure 4, wherein the support structure of the portable PET imaging device is in a coaxial position.

[0038] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to another embodiment of the present application, wherein the housing structure of the portable PET imaging device is supported on the ground;

[0039] Figure 8A shows a schematic diagram of a pair of detector units of a portable positron emission tomography device according to an embodiment of this application in a closed position;

[0040] Figure 8B shows a schematic diagram of the pair of detector units shown in Figure 8A in the open position;

[0041] Figure 8C shows a schematic diagram of some partial details of the detector unit shown in Figure 8A;

[0042] Figure 9A shows a schematic diagram of a pair of detector units of a portable positron emission tomography (PET) device according to an embodiment of this application in a closed position;

[0043] Figure 9B shows a schematic diagram of the pair of detector units shown in Figure 9A in the open position;

[0044] Figure 10A shows a schematic diagram of a pair of detector units of a portable positron emission tomography device according to an embodiment of this application in a closed position;

[0045] Figure 10B shows a schematic diagram of the pair of detector units shown in Figure 10A in the open position;

[0046] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of a portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to another embodiment of the present application, wherein the support structure of the portable PET imaging device is liftable;

[0047] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a portable positron emission tomography (PET) device according to another embodiment of the present application, wherein the housing structure of the portable PET PET device is fixed to a wheelchair or seat;

[0048] Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of the modules of an imaging system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of an imaging system according to another embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary hardware structure of a computer according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0051] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. Here, the illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this invention are used to explain the invention, but are not intended to limit the invention.

[0052] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein signify open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0053] The detection and imaging scheme provided in this application relates to emission tomography technology, more specifically positron emission tomography (PET) technology, and can be applied to a variety of fields, such as medical imaging, high-energy physics, oil and mineral exploration, and security inspection.

[0054] The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device and its imaging system, along with the detector unit kit provided in this application embodiment, effectively expands the inspection range of the object under test. Furthermore, this detector and its support structure enable various inspection scenarios and postures.

[0055] The specific embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] In some embodiments of this application, the detector and its support structure are arranged in pairs, and the support structure can pivot between the two positions, and as a further optional feature, it is combined with lifting features and / or hinge features.

[0057] For example, these embodiments can be referenced to Figures 1-10B and Figure 13.

[0058] Referring to Figures 1-6 and Figure 13, a portable positron emission tomography (PET) device 100 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the portable PET device 100 can be a wearable PET. More specifically, the PET device 100 may include a backpack-style structure 110 and an optional upper torso (chest) wearable structure 120 (Figure 4). However, in alternative embodiments of this application, the portable PET device may be a non-backpack-style structure, but rather supported on the ground or a base, as schematically described below with reference to Figure 7.

[0059] Referring again to Figures 1-6 and Figure 13, a portable PET device 100 with a backpack-like structure 110 is described. This portable PET device 100 may include an optional housing structure 113, a pair of support structures 121 pivotally mounted to the housing structure, a pair of detectors 122 respectively fixed to the pair of support structures, and a readout circuit module 130 housed within the housing structure. The readout circuit module is electrically connected to the pair of detectors 122 to read out detection data. In this embodiment, the housing structure 113 is a backpack structure.

[0060] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a pair of support structures 121 are configured to pivot about a pivot between a first pivot position (Figure 1) and a second pivot position (Figure 3). In the first pivot position, the pair of detectors 122 are allowed to surround a first detection region of the object to be detected. The first detection region may optionally be a first body part, such as the head. In the second pivot position, the pair of detectors 122 are allowed to surround a second detection region of the object to be detected. The second detection region may optionally be a second body part, such as the hip.

[0061] Referring again to Figures 1-6 and Figure 13, the portable PET device 100 may further include a first drive mechanism 161, also referred to as a pivot drive structure, configured to drive the pair of support structures to pivot between a first pivot position and a second pivot position. As shown in Figures 1-3, the first drive mechanism 161 can drive the pair of support structures 121 from the first pivot position shown in Figure 1, which then rotates to the open intermediate position shown in Figure 2, and finally rotates to the second pivot position shown in Figure 3. It is conceivable that the aforementioned drive direction can also be reversed.

[0062] Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 3, the pair of support structures 121 are configured to be height-adjustable to support the pair of detectors 122 to move within a certain range of height around the first and / or second detection area of ​​the object to be detected. As shown in Figure 1, the support structure 121 can support the detector 122 to move within a certain range of height around the head, thereby expanding the detection range of the head. Although not shown, it will be understood that when in the second pivot position, the support structure 121 can also support the detector 122 to move within a certain range of height around the hip, thereby expanding the detection range of the hip.

[0063] Accordingly, as shown in Figure 13, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100 may also include a second drive mechanism 162 for driving the pair of support structures to rise and fall, which may also be referred to as a lifting drive mechanism.

[0064] To facilitate storage, the support structure can also rotate between a vertical position for detecting the part of the object under test and a coaxial position for easy storage. Therefore, referring to Figures 1 to 3, each support structure 121 may include a first support member 1211 mounted to the receiving structure, a second support member 1212 fixedly connected to its respective detector, and a hinge 1213 connecting the first and second supports.

[0065] Accordingly, as shown in Figure 13, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100 may further include a third drive mechanism 163, also referred to as an articulated drive mechanism, for driving the first support member 1211 of the pair of support structures 121 to rotate about the hinge 1213 between a vertical position perpendicular to the second support member 1212 and a coaxial position coaxial with the second support member 1212. Figures 1 to 3 schematically illustrate the aforementioned vertical position. Although not explicitly shown, in the state shown in Figure 6, the support structure is in its coaxial position and may also be driven to a lowered position by the lifting drive mechanism.

[0066] Referring to Figures 4 through 6 and Figure 13, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device 100 may further include a chest detector 112 disposed around the chest of the subject, wherein the readout circuit module is electrically connected to the chest detector 112 to read out chest detection data. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) device 100 may also include a suspension structure 111 for suspending the chest detector. As a supplement to or alternative to the suspension structure 111, although not shown, the PET device 110 may include a fastening structure for securing the chest detector 112, such as a multi-point fastening strap. Accordingly, the chest detector 112 includes a plurality of chest detector units and a wearable body for supporting the plurality of chest detector units, each of the chest detector units including a scintillation crystal array and a photoelectric converter.

[0067] In the embodiments of this application, the material, size, and other parameters of the scintillation crystal array can be set as needed, especially according to the requirements of detector units with different detection performances described in the embodiments of this application. In some embodiments, the scintillation crystal array can be a yttrium lutetium silicate (LYSO) crystal array, but it is also conceivable to make it from other materials. In some embodiments, the scintillation crystal array may or may not have the ability to acquire depth of action (DOI) information. In some embodiments, a light guide may or may not be provided between the scintillation crystal array and the photoelectric converter.

[0068] In the embodiments of this application, the type, structure, size, and other parameters of the photoelectric converter can be set as needed, especially according to the requirements of detector units with different detection performances described in the embodiments of this application. In some embodiments, the photoelectric converter can be a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) or a photomultiplier tube (PMT). In some embodiments, the photoelectric converter can also be in the form of a photoelectric converter array, such as a SiPM array.

[0069] In the embodiments of this application, the readout circuit module may include various types of processing circuits. In a preferred embodiment, the readout circuit module may include one or more programmable gate array (FPGA) devices, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), etc.

[0070] For example, as illustrated in Figure 5, the backpack structure can be fixedly connected to the wearable body of the chest detector 112, for example by means of stitching.

[0071] As previously described, in alternative embodiments of this application, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device 100 may be non-wearable, or at least the housing structure may not be a backpack. Continuing to refer to FIG7, the housing structure 113 may be supported on the ground or a base by a bracket 114. In alternative embodiments, the bracket 114 may directly support the pair of support structures 112, for example, by providing a pivot in the bracket to pivotally support the pair of support structures 112. In some embodiments, such a portable positron emission tomography device 100 may be advantageous. For example, such a portable positron emission tomography device 100 may be used in conjunction with exercise equipment, such as a treadmill, thereby enabling non-contact detection of different detection sites on the object under test. Optionally, for a portable positron emission tomography device 100 in which the housing structure 113 is supported by a bracket, pivoting from a first pivot position to a second pivot position may require the use of an articulated drive mechanism. For example, after the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100 completes the head detection of the object under test at the first pivot position, it can first use the hinge drive mechanism to drive the first support member 1211 to rotate around the hinge 1213 to a position coaxial with the second support member 1212, then use the pivot drive mechanism to drive the support mechanism to the second pivot position, and then use the hinge drive mechanism to drive the first support member 1211 to rotate around the hinge 1213 to a position perpendicular to the second support member 1212 for detection.

[0072] In the embodiments of this application, a pair of detectors 122 can be arranged into various shapes. For example, referring to Figures 1 to 7 and specifically Figures 8A and 8B, each detector has a semi-annular structure. As shown in Figure 8C, the detector 122 may include a plurality of detector units 1221 (only one is schematically shown) and a support housing 1222, the support housing 1222 having a plurality of receiving slots 1223 for accommodating the plurality of detector units 1221 (only one is schematically shown in dashed lines), each of the detector units 1221 including a scintillation crystal array and a photoelectric converter.

[0073] In other embodiments, a pair of detectors 122 can be arranged into a multi-plate structure, such that each detector 122 is a half-structure of the multi-plate structure. Figures 9A and 9B show two half-structures (detectors 122) that can be arranged into a four-plate structure. Figures 10A and 10B show two half-structures (detectors 122) that can be arranged into a six-plate structure.

[0074] The pair of detectors 122 are detachably attached to the pair of support structures 121. As best shown in FIG5, the receiving structure 113 can accommodate the detached pair of detectors 122. Not shown in the figure, the pair of support structures also includes a pluggable electrical interface through which the pair of detectors are electrically connected to the readout circuit module.

[0075] Referring to Figure 13, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100 may further include a battery module 160 housed within the housing structure and configured to power the portable PET imaging device. In some embodiments, the battery module 160 may be housed within the housing structure 113 or integrated into the chest detector 112, the suspension structure 111, or a fastening structure (if any). For example, the battery module 160 may be a pouch battery.

[0076] Referring to Figure 13, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100 may further include an information transmission module 140 configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computer to transmit data of the portable PET imaging device and / or receive data from the remote computer.

[0077] Referring to Figure 13, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100 may further include an interaction module 150, configured to input physiological data of the subject and / or display positron emission tomography (PET) reconstructed image information to the subject and / or control the operation of the portable PET imaging device. The interaction module 150 may be a touch-screen smart terminal, such as a touch tablet, or an application integrated into a touch-screen smart terminal. The interaction module 150 may have input and display functions, supporting manual input of physiological data by the user, including at least gender, age, height, weight, BMI, and information for displaying basic subject information, image processing, and related results. The interaction module 150 may also control the start and end of the scan.

[0078] In alternative embodiments of this application, the detector and its support structure move up and down within a certain range, and are combined with a hinged feature as a further optional feature. In other words, in alternative embodiments of this application, the detector and its support structure may be non-pivotable, i.e., the pivot drive mechanism 161 in FIG. 13 may be omitted, and the support structure and detector are not necessarily paired. In these alternative embodiments, the detection range of the portable PET device is also expanded.

[0079] These alternative embodiments can be referred to in Figures 11 and 12.

[0080] Referring to Figures 11 and 14, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100' may include an optional housing structure 113; at least one support structure 121 (illustrated as one) mounted to the housing structure 113; at least one detector 122 mechanically fixed to the at least one support structure; a readout circuit module 130 housed in the housing structure, wherein the pair of detectors are electrically connected to the readout circuit module; and a lifting drive mechanism 162 for driving the pair of support structures to move up and down. The at least one support structure 121 can support the at least one detector to move within a certain lifting range around a detection area of ​​the object to be detected. Optionally, the detection area can be a body part, such as the head or groin.

[0081] Similarly, the support structure 121 includes a first support member 1211 mounted to the receiving structure, a second support member 1212 fixedly connected to the detector, and a hinge 1213 connecting the first and second supports. Accordingly, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100 may further include a hinge drive mechanism 163 for driving the first support member 1211 of the support structure to rotate about the hinge 1213 between a vertical position perpendicular to the second support member 1212 and a coaxial position coaxial with the second support member 1212.

[0082] Similarly, the housing structure 113 can be a backpack structure. Accordingly, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device 100' may also include a chest detector 112 disposed around the chest of the subject, wherein the readout circuit module is electrically connected to the chest detector 112 to read chest detection data. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) device 100' may also include a suspension structure 111 for suspending the chest detector. As a supplement to or alternative to the suspension structure 111, although not shown, the PET device 100' may include a fastening structure for securing the chest detector 112, such as a multi-point fastening strap. Accordingly, the chest detector 112 includes a plurality of chest detector units and a wearable body for supporting the plurality of chest detector units, each of the chest detector units including a scintillation crystal array and a photoelectric converter. The backpack structure may be fixedly connected to the wearable body of the chest detector 112, for example, by stitching.

[0083] In an alternative embodiment of this application, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device 100' can be non-wearable, with the housing structure fixed to a wheelchair or seat. Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of the housing structure 113 fixed to the seat 190. As shown, the housing structure 113 is fixed to the back of the seat 190, and preferably is detachable. This allows for seated detection of the object under test.

[0084] In the embodiments shown in Figures 11, 12, and 14, the detector 122 is also detachably attached to the pair of support structures 121. The receiving structure 113 can accommodate the detached pair of detectors 122. Alternatively, the detectors can also be provided in pairs, for example, as a half-ring or multi-plate structure. Not shown in the figures, the support structure also includes a pluggable electrical interface through which the detector is electrically connected to the readout circuit module.

[0085] Referring to Figure 14, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100' may further include a battery module 160 housed within the housing structure, configured to power the portable PET imaging device. In some embodiments, the battery module 160 may be housed within the housing structure 113 or integrated into the chest detector 112 or the suspension structure 111 or the fastening structure (if any). For example, the battery module 160 may be a pouch battery.

[0086] Referring to Figure 14, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100' may further include an information transmission module 140 configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computer to transmit data of the portable PET imaging device and / or receive data from the remote computer.

[0087] Referring to Figure 14, the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device 100' may further include an interaction module 150, configured for inputting physiological data of the subject and / or displaying positron emission tomography (PET) reconstructed image information to the subject and / or controlling the operation of the portable PET imaging device. The interaction module 150 may be a touch-screen smart terminal, such as a touch tablet, or an application integrated into a touch-screen smart terminal. The interaction module 150 may have input and display functions, supporting manual input of physiological data by the user, including at least gender, age, height, weight, BMI, and information for displaying basic subject information, image processing, and related results. The interaction module 150 may also control the start and end of the scan.

[0088] Those skilled in the art will understand that the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging devices in these embodiments can combine the features of the aforementioned portable PET imaging devices in a non-contradictory manner, and vice versa.

[0089] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, embodiments of this application also relate to an imaging system 200, 200', which includes a portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to embodiments of this application and at least one remote computer 210. The computer may include an image reconstruction unit 211. The at least one remote computer 210 can receive detection data from the portable PET imaging device, and the at least one remote computer is also configured to send the positron emission tomography image to the portable PET imaging device. The image reconstruction unit 211 is configured to reconstruct the positron emission tomography image using the detection data. The reconstruction method can be a known method, which will not be described in detail here.

[0090] Figure 15 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary computer 1500 that can implement embodiments of this application. In some embodiments, it may include more or fewer computers than illustrated. In some embodiments, it may be implemented using a single computer or multiple computers. In some embodiments, it may be implemented using cloud-based or distributed computing.

[0091] As shown in Figure 15, the computer 1500 includes a processor 1501, which can perform various appropriate operations and processes based on programs and / or data stored in read-only memory (ROM) 1502 or loaded from storage portion 1508 into random access memory (RAM) 1503. The processor 1501 can be a single-core or multi-core processor, or may include multiple processors. In some embodiments, the processor 1501 may include a general-purpose main processor (such as a CPU) and one or more special coprocessors, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural network processor (NPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or other general-purpose or application-specific integrated circuits. Various programs and data required for the operation of the computer 1500 are also stored in RAM 1503. The processor 1501, ROM 1502, and RAM 1503 are interconnected via a bus 1504. An input / output (I / O) interface 1505 is also connected to the bus 1504.

[0092] The following components are connected to I / O interface 1505: input section 1506 including keyboard, mouse, etc.; output section 1507 including display, speakers, etc.; storage section 1508 including hard disk, etc.; and communication section 1509 including network interface card, modem, etc. Communication section 1509 performs communication processing via a network such as the Internet. Drive 1510 is also connected to I / O interface 1505 as needed. Removable media 1511, such as disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, semiconductor memory, etc., are installed on drive 1510 as needed so that computer programs read from them can be installed into storage section 1508 as needed.

[0093] Figure 15 shows an illustrative computer only, but a computer according to an embodiment of this application may include more or fewer components than the computer shown in Figure 15 or have the same, partially the same or different architecture as the device in the embodiment shown in Figure 15.

[0094] This document describes several embodiments, but for the sake of brevity, the descriptions of the embodiments are not exhaustive, and identical or similar features or parts between the embodiments may be omitted. In this document, "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" refers to at least one embodiment or example applicable to this application, but not all embodiments. The above terms do not necessarily mean referring to the same embodiment or example. Without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of the different embodiments or examples.

[0095] The exemplary systems and methods of this application have been specifically shown and described with reference to the above embodiments, which are merely examples of the best mode for implementing the systems and methods. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made to the embodiments of the systems and methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims when implementing the systems and / or methods.

Claims

1. A portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device, characterized in that, include: A pair of pivotally mounted support structures; a second drive mechanism for driving the pair of support structures to rise and fall; A pair of detectors, respectively fixed to the pair of support structures; The system also includes a readout circuit module electrically connected to the pair of detectors to read out detection data; wherein the pair of support structures are configured to pivot between a first pivot position and a second pivot position, in which the pair of detectors are allowed to move around a first detection portion of the object to be detected, and in the second pivot position, the pair of detectors are allowed to move around a second detection portion of the object to be detected; the pair of support structures are further configured to be height-adjustable to support the pair of detectors to move around the first and / or second detection portions of the object to be detected within a certain height range.

2. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a housing structure, to which the support structure is pivotally mounted, and the readout circuit module is housed within the housing structure.

3. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A first drive mechanism is configured to drive the pair of support structures to pivot between a first pivot position and a second pivot position.

4. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each support structure includes a first support member, a second support member fixedly connected to its respective detector, and a hinge connecting the first and second support members; the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device further includes a third drive mechanism for driving the first support member of the pair of support structures to rotate about the hinge between a vertical position perpendicular to the second support member and a coaxial position coaxial with the second support member.

5. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The storage structure is a backpack structure.

6. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: A chest detector is positioned around the chest of the subject being tested, wherein the readout circuit module is electrically connected to the chest detector to read out chest detection data; and a suspension structure for suspending the chest detector and / or a fastening structure for securing the chest detector to the object to be tested.

7. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The chest detector includes multiple chest detector units and a wearable body for supporting the multiple chest detector units, each of the chest detector units including a scintillation crystal array and a photoelectric converter.

8. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The backpack structure is fixedly connected to the wearable body.

9. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A bracket used to support the support structure on a base or the ground.

10. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the pair of detectors is a semi-ring structure; or, each of the pair of detectors is a half-structure constructed of multiple flat plates.

11. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pair of detectors are detachably fixed to the pair of support structures, and the receiving structure is configured to receive the detached pair of detectors; the pair of support structures also include a pluggable electrical interface through which the pair of detectors are electrically connected to the readout circuit module.

12. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the pair of detectors includes a plurality of detector units and a support housing, the support housing having a plurality of receiving slots for accommodating the plurality of detector units, each of the detector units including a scintillation crystal array and a photoelectric converter.

13. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A battery module is configured to power the portable positron emission tomography (PET) device.

14. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, Also includes: The information transmission module is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computer to transmit data from the portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device and / or receive data from the remote computer.

15. The portable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device according to claim 14, characterized in that, Also includes: The interaction module is configured to input physiological data of the subject and / or display positron emission tomography (PET) image information to the subject and / or control the operation of the portable PET imaging device.

16. An imaging system, characterized in that, include: The portable positron emission tomography (PET) device according to any one of claims 14-15; and at least one remote computer wirelessly communicating with the information transmission module, the remote computer including an image reconstruction unit, wherein the at least one remote computer receives detection data from the portable PET device, and the image reconstruction unit is configured to reconstruct a positron emission tomography image using the detection data.

17. The imaging system according to claim 16, characterized in that, The at least one remote computer is also configured to send the positron emission tomography (PET) images to the portable PET imaging device.

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