Picker International, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.v.

Steven J Plummer

Jacin C Barnes

Jinling Liu

Hugh T Morgan

Krassimir Todorov Krastev

Johannes Balthasar Maria Soetens

Dawn Barile

Thomas Leroy Laurence

Dennis K Everett

Steven E Cooke

Robert G Henderson

Bruce Eliot Lutheran

Michael G Ambrosia

Bryce G Thornton

Gregory G Cooley

Peter D Esser

Matthew D Fleischhauer

David L Tipping

Antoine Ina

James M Fulton

Roger N Lexa

David L York

Zhengyan Wang

An imaging apparatus includes a first imaging modality (), a second imaging modality (), wherein the first and second imaging modalities are in alignment with scanning zones for scanning an object or subject, and a third imaging modality () which is selectively moveable between a first location () in which the third imaging modality is in alignment with the scanning zones for scanning the object or subject and a second location () in which the third imaging modality is outside of alignment with the scanning zones.

Multiple imaging modality imaging apparatus

A multi-modal imaging system () includes a fixed gantry (), and a swivel gantry (). The fixed gantry () supports a first imaging modality. The swivel gantry () connects to the fixed gantry () by at least three mounting points () and supports a second imaging modality. Selectively the swivel gantry () includes a swivel frame () and at least three mounting points () for mounting the fixed and swivel gantries together in an imaging configuration. The at least three mounting points () include at least one hinge () which permits the swivel gantry to swivel about the fixed gantry into a service configuration.

Swivel gantry for multi-modal imaging systems

When constructing a nuclear detector module in a gantry, a plurality of overlapping light guide modules () are mounted to the gantry in a spaced-apart fashion, and a plurality of underlapping light guide modules () are mounted in between each pair of overlapping light guide modules (). Each of the underlapping modules and the overlapping modules includes a scintillation crystal array () on an interior surface thereof, and a plurality of PMTs on an exterior surface thereof. Overlapping modules () have overlapping structures () that interface with underlapping structures () on the underlapping modules () and thereby eliminate a seam directly beneath PMTs that overlap the crystal arrays of both an overlapping module and an underlapping module. Optical grease is used to form a resilient grease coupling and reduce light scatter between the underlapping and overlapping modules.

PET detector modules utilizing overlapped light guides

A subject loading system is provided for moving a subject disposed in an isolation zone into and out of a diagnostic system disposed outside the isolation zone. A tube extends away from the isolation zone. The tube has an inner volume open to the isolation zone and operatively coupled with the diagnostic system. An elongated subject support pallet is disposed in the isolation zone and dimensioned to fit into the tube. A base including a mechanical drive is disposed in the isolation zone and is configured to align the elongated subject support pallet with the tube and to move the elongated subject support pallet into and out of the tube.

Subject table for isolation environment

A transformable gamma camera includes detectors mounted for circumferential movement with respect to a rotating gantry. The rotating gantry includes radial bores at desired angular positions about the rotating gantry. The stationary gantry includes a docking station such as a bore. A coupling mechanism allows the detectors to be coupled to the bores in the rotating gantry or to the docking station. Each of the detectors is movable radially with respect to the rotating gantry's axis of rotation and tangentially to the imaging region. The gamma camera is readily transformable between 120 degree, orthogonal, and opposed detector configurations; a plurality of aperture sizes can also be defined.

Configurable multiple detector nuclear medicine gantry

A gamma camera system includes two or more radiation detector heads and which are mounted opposite each other to a gantry for rotation about a subject. A transmission radiation source assembly is mounted to the front face of at least one of the detectors and can be moved across the face of the detector. The source assembly includes a radiation attenuating housing, a leaded bronze source holder, and a radionuclide source. The radionuclide source is retained in a longitudinal groove disposed in the source holder. The source holder may be rotated into open, closed, and access positions. The transmission radiation emitted by the source assembly is directed across the examination region, attenuated by the subject, and detected by the opposed detector. The gamma camera system also includes a filter which selectively attenuates the transmission radiation to obtain a desired attenuation profile which prevents saturation of the opposed detector. The filter includes at least one layer of radiation attenuating material of uniform thickness but varying in width in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of motion of the source assembly. An image representation is reconstructed using the radiation emitted by the subject and corrected in accordance with the transmitted radiation data.

Scanning line source for gamma camera

Variable angle multiple detector nuclear medicine gantry

A rotating gantry (20) is rotatably mounted to a stationary gantry for rotation around an axis of rotation. Gamma camera detector heads (22a, 22b, 22c) are mounted to the rotating gantry for rotation about a patient receiving region (14). A patient is supported on a first, cantilevered patient support portion (10) which is adjustable in height, and which selectively extends toward and away from a slab defined by the detector heads. In one mode of use, the first patient support portion (10) is supported on a second support surface (16) when fully cantilevered to minimize vibration and movement. In a second mode, the first patient support portion (10) is separated by a gap from the second support portion (16) and the region of interest of the patient is positioned over the gap. In this manner, radiation passing from the region of interest of the patient to the detector heads is not attenuated by a patient support structure. Further, the detector heads are mounted on tracks (30, 32) by rollers (44, 46). A linear motor (34) selectively moves each detector head along the tracks to change its circumferential position relative to the other detector heads. The movable detector head is further connected with pads (58) which slidably engage opposite faces of the tracks to prevent wobble and vibration.

Three detector head gamma camera system with independently

A SPECT system includes two or more radiation detector heads (32) and (34) which are mounted opposite each other to a gantry (30) for rotation about a subject. Each detector head has a collimator (38) mounted in front of the detector head. The collimator (38) is separated into a top portion (40) and a bottom portion (42). The top portion (40) and bottom portion (42) are spaced from each other to provide a gap (44) within the collimator (38). The gap (44) receives one or more devices to provide additional functionality during a scan. The insertable devices include a transmission radiation source (52), a calibration source, a radiation filter, and others.

Gamma camera split collimator collimation method and apparatus

A SPECT system includes two radiation detector heads (32) and (34) which are mounted opposite each other to a gantry (30) for rotation about a subject. The subject is injected with a source of emission radiation, which emission radiation passes through a collimator (38) mounted on each detector head and is received by a radiation receiving face of the detector heads. A radiation source (40) is disposed between the collimator (38) of one detector head and the face of the one detector head. Transmission radiation from the radiation source (40) passes through the collimator (38), through the subject, and is received by the opposite detector head concurrently with the emission radiation. Alternately, a radiation source (40) is disposed behind the collimator of both detector heads (32, 34) such that both detector heads concurrently receive emission and transmission radiation. The detector heads (32, 34) generate emission and transmission projection data indicative of the received emission and transmission radiation. A sorter (70) sorts the emission and transmission projection data and the data is stored into a projection view memory (72). The emission data is corrected (78) in accordance with the transmission data and into a three-dimensional image representation (80).

Emission/transmission device for use with a dual head nuclear medicine

A SPECT camera system has two detector heads (16a, 16b) which are movable between position (FIG. 2) and an adjacent, orthogonal position (FIG. 3). The detector heads have slide members (42a, 42b) which are slidably received on linear guide members (40a, 40b) of carriers (16a, 16b). The carriers have followers (20a, 22a, 24a; 20b, 22b, 24b) which are slidably received along linear guide paths (26a, 28a, 30a; 26b; 28b, 30b). Hydraulic or other extensible cylinders (32a, 32b) selectively permit the carriers, hence the detector heads, to slide along the guide paths between the 180.degree. opposite and the adjacent, orthogonal positions. Preferably, a rotating gantry (12) is rotated to place both detector heads above an intended position. In this manner, the extensible cylinders controllably lower the detector heads as they move by gravity from the present position to the intended position. In both the 180.degree. opposite and the adjacent orthogonal positions, the detector heads concurrently rotate around an axis of rotation (14a) and move radially in and out to minimize the distance between the subject and the detector head.

Transformable dual head spect camera system

A contact sensor apparatus with improved sensitivity is provided. A frame defining a surface upon which contact detection is desired has two electrically conductive sheets held in spaced parallel relationship by a plurality of electrically non-conductive insulating spacers attached to the face thereof. A contact force distributor is sandwiched between the outside electrically conductive sheet and a graphics layer. Contact forces on the graphics layer, that are in alignment with the spacers, are redistributed to areas between adjacent spacers by the contact distributor.

Contact sensor with improved sensitivity

An outer gantry (20) is movably mounted on wheels to move along tracks (22). An inner gantry (30) rotatably mounted on the outer gantry includes at least a pair of guide rods (56, 58) on which detector heads (32, 34) are slidably mounted. Motors (92, 102) selectively translate the detector heads along the guide rods. A chain and sprocket arrangement (116, 114; 128, 126) constrains the heads against canting and maintains opposite sides of the detector heads in alignment as the detector heads move and as the inner gantry rotates. Each detector head includes a roller bearing track or channel portion (140) on which a horizontal track portion (142) of a collimator (144) is hung vertically. A collimator connecting assembly (150) connects a bottom portion of the collimator to the detector head and secures it against further horizontal movement. A collimator cart (200) includes an analogous roller track portion (202) for supporting the collimators by the collimator guide track portion as collimators are moved between the detector head and like track portion ( 192) of a detector storage rack (190).

Nuclear medicine camera gantry system with vertically stored collimators

A patient table assembly (10) is fixedly mounted on pedestals (14, 16) with a table top (12) passing through a central aperture (116) of a rotatable inner gantry (110). The inner gantry (110) is rotatably mounted in an outer gantry (80) which selectively moves parallel to the table top along tracks (82). The foot end pedestal (14) has an arm (30) and a flange and contour block arrangement (36) which receives a foot end (40) of the table top fixedly therebetween. A slide (58) clamps the head end of the table top to an arm (50) connected with the second pedestal. A front wheel carriage (90) includes a pair of wheels (98) which are rotatably mounted to a pivot member (92) for limited rotation about the outer gantry (80). Detector heads (112, 114) are mounted to slide members (132, 136,156,158) which slide on guide members (134, 138). A motor (140, 152) and acme screw ( 142, 154) drive one slide along the guide members. Flexible cables (174, 190) prevent a free side slide from canting the detector head under the force of gravity. Electrical or fluid cables (202, 204) from the detector heads pass around rollers (210, 212). A wire rope (218) has its opposite ends connected with the rollers and a generally central portion connected by a block and tackle (222) with a gas spring (216).

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Hudson, OH, United States of America

Steven J Plummer