Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Bernhard Conrad

Klaus Klingenbeck-Regn

Guenther Tressl

Gunther Tressl

Johann Finkenzeller

Gottfried Lange

Karl Hans Reiss

Otto Kotschak

Wolfhart Lichtenberg

Gerhard Kuehn

In a process for localizing a scintillation event in a gamma camera having a plurality of photomultipliers forming a camera surface, each photomultiplier generating an output signal in response to the scintillation event, wherein a plurality of comparative signal sets are generated from output signals of the photomultiplier corresponding to respective scintillation events of known location, a location-dependent probability function is formed based on a comparison of the outputs of the photomultipliers for a scintillation event of unknown location with the comparative signal sets, and the location of the scintillation event of unknown location is defined as the location corresponding to the maximum of the probability function, the speed with which the localization is accomplished is increased by initially defining a portion of the total gamma camera surface in which there is a high probability that the location of the scintillation event of unknown origin lies, and limiting the investigation for the location of the scintillation event of unknown location to that portion of the camera surface, with increasing precision.

Method for rapid localization of a scintillation event in a gamma camera

In a method for the localization of scintillation events in a gamma camera with a number of photomultipliers the output signals of the photomultipliers, in dependence on a release signal, are subjected to a pattern recognition process. In the pattern recognition process the output signals are compared with comparative signal sets which each comprise the expected values of output signals from photomultipliers which would be generated by several comparative scintillation events with at respective origins at known locations. The locations of the multiple scintillation events are then registered as the origins that belong to a comparative signal set which presents the greatest similarity value to the output signals in question.

Process for the localization of multiple scintillation events in a gamma

A sweep device for a storage luminescent screen, in which x-ray images are latently stored, includes a drum having an interior on which the storage screen is mounted, a stimulating radiation source which generates a scan beam of stimulating radiation to cause the storage screen to luminesce picture element-by-picture element, and a deflecting mirror disposed in the center of the drum and rotatable relative to the drum to direct the scan beam onto the screen. The deflecting mirror is disposed in the middle of a measuring head, and the drum is shifted relative to the deflecting mirror for line scanning. For acquiring the light emitted by the storage luminescent screen, a curved light conductor is attached to the measuring head. The curve light conductor has a first end face disposed at the circumference of the measuring head which completely surrounds the point of incidence of the scan beam on the storage luminescent screen. The curve light conductor has a second end face disposed substantially in the middle of the measuring head perpendicular to the drum axis, and opposite the light-sensitive surface of an emitted radiation detector. The detector converts the emitted radiation into an electrical signal sequence.

Sweep device for a storage luminescent screen

A light guide optical device for guidance of light emitted from an original to an optoelectric transducer for converting the read out image of the original into electrical signals where the original is scanned line-by-line, is formed of a light conducting plate having a first linear side directed toward the original and a second side connected at the ends of the first side which is arcuately curved at least in regions. The plate includes a hole for accepting the transducer which receives light emitted from the surface of the plate at the hole.

Light guide optics

An apparatus for converting image information generated by radiation incident on a storage layer into an electrical signal sequence by scanning the storage layer with a light beam permits a fast and precise conversion of the radiation image information into the electrical signal. This is a accomplished by connecting the scanned point of the storage layer to photodiodes functioning as light transducers via a light conductor in the form of a transparent, strip-shaped plate. The light conductor plate has a major surface adjacent to the storage area, and respective minor surfaces at opposite narrow ends thereof to which the photo diodes are connected. The apparatus can be used in x-ray television technology, such as medical x-ray diagnostics.

Apparatus for the conversion of radiation image information carried on a

An apparatus for converting radiation image information carried by a storage layer into a television pulse sequence has a drum with a surface on which the storage layer is disposed, a scanning light beam directed to said surface, the drum and the beam being rotatable relative to one another and axially displaceable for conducting a line scan and a change of line. The light signals thus acquired from said storage layer are supplied on an optical path to a photo-electric transducer. A fast and precise conversion of the radiation image information is achieved with the storage layer on the inside wall of the drum and the scan beam conducted via a deflection mirror disposed in the center of the drum, and with a lightguide for the optical connection between the scan surface of the layer and the transducer.

Apparatus for converting radiation image information carried by a

In an exemplary embodiment, a flat radiation beam is detected having a common electrode disposed parallel to the beam plane at one side and a common support with a series of individual conductors providing electrodes opposite successive portions of the common electrode and lying in a plane also parallel to the beam plane. The beam may be fan-shaped and the individual electrodes may be aligned with respective ray paths separated by uniform angular increments in the beam plane. The individual conductors and the connection thereof to the exterior of the detector housing may be formed on an insulator which can be folded into a T-shape for leading the supply conductors for alternate individual conductors toward terminals at opposite sides of the chamber.

Radiation detector

In an exemplary embodiment, a measuring arrangement for irradiating the radiography subject from different directions comprises a radiation source which emits a radiation beam which penetrates the layer to be examined, its dimension perpendicular to the layer plane being equal to the layer thickness, and a radiation receiver supplies electrical output signals which correspond to the radiation intensity measured. A computer calculates, from the output signals, the attenuation values of specific image points of the irradiated body layer. Correction devices are provided in the radiation beam with which the radiation quality (mean energy) of the radiation impinging on the receiver is determined, each preferably comprising several detectors arranged in series in the direction of radiation and separated from one another by a luminescent layer. The output signals of the correction detectors serve to correct for the radiation hardening in the patient. Correction detectors according to the disclosure are particularly suitable for use in apparatus with which fluoroscopic layer images capable of being evaluated in medical diagnosis are produced.

Diagnostic radiology apparatus for producing layer images

A gamma camera within a signal generating system encompassing a stage converting an image which is to be photographed into an electron image, following which there is a locating or position-finding system from which signals emanate which facilitate the pictorial reproduction of the incident radiation.

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Erlangen, Germany

Bernhard Conrad