Digirad Corporation

William L Ashburn

Clinton LaMar Lingren

Stanley J Friesenhahn

Frank L Augustine

Boris Apotovsky

Jack F Butler

F Patrick Doty

F Patrick Dory

A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector comprising a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module comprises a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold. The fall-through circuit searches for the next detection element and associated channel having a valid event. The signal processor performs diagnostics, gain normalization, and response efficiency normalization functions. The data acquisition system controls the acquisition and processing of data received from the conditioning and processing channels, produces image data based upon the data in a format that is compatible with existing imaging cameras, and transmits the data to the image processing computer. The image processing computer formulates images based upon the processed signals and displays the formulated images on a display device.

Semiconductor gamma-ray camera and medical imaging system

A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector including a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module includes a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements. The circuit carrier includes channels for conditioning and processing the signals generated by corresponding detection elements and for preparing the processed signals for further processing by a signal processor. Each conditioning and processing channel stores the amplitudes of the detection element electrical pulses exceeding a predetermined threshold. The detection modules employ a fall-through circuit which automatically finds only those detection elements that have a stored pulse amplitude exceeding the threshold. The fall-through circuit searches for the next detection element and associated channel having a valid event. The signal processor performs diagnostics, gain normalization, and response efficiency normalization functions. The data acquisition system controls the acquisition and processing of data received from the conditioning and processing channels, produces image data based upon the data in a format that is compatible with existing imaging cameras, and transmits the data to the image processing computer. The image processing computer formulates images based upon the processed signals and displays the formulated images on a display device.

A high-energy photon imaging system including an imaging head, a signal processor, a data acquisition system and an image processing computer. The imaging head includes a detector including a plurality of closely-packed detection modules. Each detection module includes a plurality of detection elements mounted to a circuit carrier. The detection elements produce electrical pulses having amplitudes indicative of the magnitude of radiation absorbed by the detection elements.

A single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) imager for the study of a patient to whom a radionuclide has been administered. The imager has an arcuate detector carrier encompassing at least 180.degree. of arc about an examination axis through a target area of the patient. One or more scintillation detectors are carried by the detector carrier for taking a plurality of readings of gamma ray emissions from the radionuclide. While the plurality of readings are taken, the carrier remains substantially immobile relative to the patient.

Low profile open ring single photon emission computed tomographic imager

Semiconductor gamma- ray camera and medical imaging system

The medical imaging system has first and second gamma camera heads. Each head has a front facing an examination field. The heads are articulatable between a first plurality of relevant orientations in which a first edge of the first head is aligned with the first edge of the second head in a parallel spaced-apart relation. A gap is defined between the first edges of sufficient dimension to accommodate a biomedical instrument.

Bifurcated gamma camera system

A system and apparatus for obtaining medical quality images of a body under stress, such as a body in motion, are disclosed. The apparatus preferably consists of a harness into which the imaging device may be removably placed and securely positioned with respect to a body part, even when the body is in motion. The system preferably further comprises a small, light weight gamma camera. The imaging device is preferably supported by a mechanism which is separate from the harness. In each embodiment of the invention, movement of the imaging device relative to the body is minimized, yet the body is permitted to move relatively freely. Methods for use of the apparatus and system to obtain medical images of a body are also described.

Apparatus for securing a medical imaging device to a body

A system for obtaining multiple images of a body is described wherein the images are obtained by multiple imaging detectors attached to one another in a configuration which best allows the desired images to be obtained. The imaging detectors of the invention preferably detect radiation and will most preferably be gamma cameras having differently sized fields of view. In a preferred embodiment, at least one secondary imaging detector is mounted on a primary imaging detector. The primary imaging detector preferably has a larger field-of-view than the secondary imaging detectors. Particularly useful gamma cameras and imaging systems for use as the secondary imaging detectors are also described.

Growing community of inventors

La Jolla, CA, United States of America

William L Ashburn