Hampton University

Jefferson Science Associates, LLC

Dilon Technologies, Inc.

Douglas Arthur Kieper

Cynthia Keppel

Benjamin Lawrence Welch

Stanislaw Majewski

Paul Gueye

Lee Holland Fairchild

Lawrence Tynes

Colin J McNaught

The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.

Opposed view and dual head detector apparatus for diagnosis and biopsy with image processing methods

Opposed view and dual head detector apparatus for diagnosis and biopsy with image processing method

A stereotactic gamma-guided localization system for imaging a suspected cancer and guiding a physician in the removal of tissue samples for biopsy. The gamma-guided localization system includes a three step procedure including localization, correlation, and verification. The localization system includes a gamma camera with a set of slant-hole collimators for producing stereo images of a region of interest. A positioning system including a fiducial marker is placed adjacent to the object to be imaged and held rigidly in place to provide correlation of the location of the region of interest relative to the fiducial marker. A gamma emitting marker is then positioned at the calculated location of the region of interest and imaged to verify that that the calculated position corresponds to the actual location. The positioning system can then be used to accurately position and support any other hardware that needs to be positioned at the region of interest.

Gamma guided stereotactic localization system

An improved method for enhancing the contrast between background and lesion areas of a breast undergoing dual-head scintimammographic examination comprising: 1) acquiring a pair of digital images from a pair of small FOV or mini gamma cameras compressing the breast under examination from opposing sides; 2) inverting one of the pair of images to align or co-register with the other of the images to obtain co-registered pixel values; 3) normalizing the pair of images pixel-by-pixel by dividing pixel values from each of the two acquired images and the co-registered image by the average count per pixel in the entire breast area of the corresponding detector; and 4) multiplying the number of counts in each pixel by the value obtained in step 3 to produce a normalization enhanced two dimensional contrast map. This enhanced (increased contrast) contrast map enhances the visibility of minor local increases (uptakes) of activity over the background and therefore improves lesion detection sensitivity, especially of small lesions.

Method to improve cancerous lesion detection sensitivity in a dedicated dual-head scintimammography system

An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurements of radiation in brachytherapy accomplished through scintillating material detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during brachytherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source or providing feedback of sensed radiation. The catheter may also be a mammosite type catheter. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers. The output may then be used to measure and compute radiation distribution maps using Monte Carlo reconstruction simulation. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials.

Apparatus and method for radiation distribution mapping

Apparatus and method for brachytherapy radiation distribution mapping

An adjustable gamma radiation isolation shield that effectively shields the gamma camera from potentially interfering radiation emitted from sources other than the particular anatomical portion under examination. The shield is placed adjacent to the breast or other body portion under examination on the side thereof opposite that addressed by the gamma camera i.e., at about 90&deg; to the viewing angle of the camera. The shield includes a first gamma ray permeable layer capable of absorbing fluorescent low energy radiation produced by a second adjacent gamma radiation absorbing layer or any other source. In operation, the breast is located between the gamma camera/detector and shield. Gamma radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceutical-containing breast impinges the gamma camera for measurement and simultaneously penetrates the gamma permeable layer and is absorbed by the gamma radiation absorbing layer. Fluorescence produced upon absorption of the gamma radiation is inhibited from reintroduction into the gamma camera by absorption in the first gamma permeable layer that absorbs this secondary radiation. Gamma or other potentially interfering radiation entering the system from beyond the gamma radiation absorbing layer is similarly absorbed and any secondary fluorescent radiation produced therein absorbed by the first gamma permeable layer.

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Newport News, VA, United States of America

Douglas Arthur Kieper