Sparse Acquisition Gamma Cameras
AssigneeKromek Goup, PLC
InventorsJames Hugg, Brian Harris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An imaging method and device are described for improving the performance of a gamma camera by optimizing a figure of merit that depends upon cost, efficiency, and spatial resolution. In a modular gamma camera comprising a tiled array of gamma detector modules, the performance figure of merit can be optimized by sparsely placing gamma detector modules within the gamma camera, optimizing collimation, and providing means for detector and/or collimator motion. Sparse gamma cameras can be constructed as flat or curved panels, and elliptical or circular rings.
Claims28
An imaging method for improving a performance figure of merit of a gamma camera, the performance figure of merit comprising at least one variable related to at least one of cost, efficiency, and spatial resolution and the gamma camera comprising a collimator and at least one tiled array of gamma detectors, the collimator having a performance, the method comprising at least one of the steps of:
- sparsely placing a gamma detector within the gamma camera,
- optimizing the collimator performance, and
- moving at least one of the gamma detector and the collimator.
A gamma camera with an improved performance figure of merit, the performance figure of merit comprising at least one variable related to at least one of cost, efficiency, and spatial resolution and the gamma camera comprising an electrical power input, a control input, a data output, a collimator, the collimator having a performance, and at least one tiled array of gamma detectors and further comprising at least one of:
- a sparsely placed gamma detector within the gamma camera,
- an optimized performance collimator;
- and
- a means for at least one of a gamma detector motion and a collimator motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.