Gamma camera system

In a system for imaging the distribution within a region of interest of isotopic materials emitting radiation exhibiting two or more levels of photon energy, said system including composite solid state detector means having a plurality of discrete components which are operationally associated to provide spatial coordinate parameter outputs representative of the spatial disposition of corresponding interactions of said radiation with said detector means, the improvement comprising:

• first output treating means connected to receive said spatial coordinate parameter outputs of said detector means components, actuable to selectively filter and sum said outputs to derive corresponding coordinate channel signals and an energy channel signal having values corresponding respectively with said spatial disposition and the level of said photon energy exhibited at a said interaction, and including control means for effecting said actuation to filter and sum and for deriving a data acceptance signal in correspondence with said coordinate and energy channel signals, said control means being responsive to a reset said first output means to a clear condition;
• means including spatial coordinate multiplexer means and energy channel multiplexer means respectively coupled to be addressed by said coordinate channel and said energy channel signals, each said multiplexer means being responsive to a coded actuating signal to effect a transference of said channel signals addressed thereto;
• process control means including means for receiving said data acceptance signals to effect a de-randomization thereof and actuable to provide a said coded actuating signal in correspondence with a said data acceptance signal;
• second treating means including divider network means responsive to a said energy channel multiplexer means transferred energy channel signal and to said spatial coordinate multiplexer means transferred signals for normalizing said spatial coordinate channel signals with respect to the said photon energy related value of their corresponding said energy channel signal, said second treating means being configured for deriving readout information corresponding with said normalized spatial coordinate channel signals;
• and
• sequential control means for selectively actuating said process control means and regulating an operational cycle of said system.

In a system for imaging the distribution within a region of interest of isotopic materials emitting radiation of given photon energy or energies, said system including composite solid state detector means having a plurality of discrete components which are operationally associated within predetermined portions of said detector means to provide spatial coordinate parameter, x-, y- designated outputs representative of the spatial disposition of corresponding interactions of said radiation with said detector means, the improvement comprising:

• first output treating means connected to receive said spatial coordinate parameter, x-, y- designated outputs of said components of each said predetermined portion of said detector means, actuable to selectively filter and sum said outputs when operating from a clear condition to derive corresponding x- and y- designated coordinate channel signals and an energy channel signal having values corresponding respectively with said spatial disposition and given energy exhibited at a said interaction, said first output treating means including first evaluating means responsive to the value of said given energy equaling or exceeding a predetermined value to derive a select output, and further including control means responsive to the presence of said evaluating means select output for effecting said actuation to filter and sum and for deriving a data acceptance signal in time correspondence with said coordinate channel and energy channel signals, said control means being responsive to a reset signal when submitted thereto to reset said first output treating means to said clear condition;
• means including x-position multiplexer means, y-position multiplexer means and energy multiplexer means respectively coupled to be addressed by said x- and y- designated coordinate and energy channel signals, each said multiplexer means being responsive to a coded actuating signal to transfer said channel signals addressed thereto;
• storage means, having receive and hold modes, for receiving each transferred said channel signal then in said receive mode, and actuable to assume said hold mode retaining each said channel signal over a given interval, said storage means having outputs for asserting each said retained channel signal;
• process control means including asynchronous memory means for accepting and retaining said data acceptance signals in received serialized fashion and actuable to provide said coded actuating signal;
• sequential control means for selectively actuating said process control means to effect selective transfer of said channel signals to said storage means, and for actuating said storage means to derive and retain said hold mode for said given interval;
• and
• second treating means responsive to said channel signals asserted at said storage means outputs for deriving readout information representative thereof.

In a system for imaging the distribution within a region of interest of isotopic material emitting radiation of given photon energy, said system including composite solid state detector means having a plurality of mutually adjacently disposed discrete detector components each having one of two oppositely disposed charge collecting surfaces positioned substantially within a common plane for exposure to said radiation, said components being arranged to establish linearly oriented groupings of respective said opposed surfaces, each said grouping of surfaces being electrically intercoupled and associated with impedance means for providing x- and y- designated coordinate outputs from respective mutually orthogonally aligned and oppositely disposed ones of said groupings associated with a common said detector component at which an interaction with said radiation corresponding with said coordinate output occurs, the improvement comprising:

• x- coordinate output treating means responsive to said x- designated coordinate outputs, actuable to selectively filter and sum said outputs from a clear condition to derive corresponding x- designated coordinate channel signals and an energy signal having values corresponding respectively with a coordinate aspect of the spatial location of said interaction and the value of said photon energy thereof, and including control means for effecting said actuation to filter and sum and for deriving an x- data signal corresponding with said channel and energy signals, said control means being responsive to a reset signal when submitted thereto to reset said treating means to said clear condition;
• y- coordinate output treating means responsive to said y- designated coordinate outputs, actuable to selectively filter and sum said outputs from a clear condition to derive corresponding y- designated coordinate channel signals and an energy signal having values corresponding respectively with a coordinate aspect of the spatial location of said interaction and the value of said photon energy thereof, and including control means for effecting said actuation to filter and sum and for deriving a y- data signal corresponding with said channel and energy signals, said control means being responsive to a reset signal when submitted thereto to reset said treating means to said clear condition;
• means including x- position multiplexer means, y- position multiplexer means and energy multiplexer means, respectively coupled to be addressed by said x- and y- designated coordinate channel signals and at least one said energy signal, each said multiplexer means being responsive to a coded actuating signal to transfer said signals addressed thereto;
• process control means including coincidence network means responsive the said x- data and y- data signals corresponding with a given said interaction for deriving a pair code signal, and asynchronous memory means responsive to said pair code signal for accepting and retaining said x- and y- data signals in received serialized fashion and actuable to provide and assert said coded actuating signal at said multiplexer means;
• means responsive to said x- and y- designated coordinate channel signals when transferred from said x- position multiplexer means, said y- position multiplex means, and energy multiplexer means for deriving readout information representative thereof;
• and
• sequential control means for selectively actuating said process control means to effect said transfer of said signals.