Crystal array based localizer for tissue sampling
AssigneeNeoprobe Corporation
InventorsMarlin O. Thurston, Karl W. Olson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Intended for use in a pathology laboratory, the apparatus includes a multi-segment crystal array over which is positioned a platform supported receiving region with a pattern carrying indicia emulating and in registry with the pattern of the crystal array segments. The tissue carrying a radiolabeled locator is positioned on the receiving region and the photon emission count values for each segment are compiled and displayed at a computer monitor or as a print-out in conjunction with crystal segment identification. Observation of the count values by a pathologist then shows the location over a segment of highest count value at which locator is more likely to be concentrated. Sectioning then is carried out at that location.
Claims21
Apparatus for locating the situs of photon emissions from a tissue sample, comprising:
- a radiation responsive crystal assembly having a plurality of segments discretely responsive to said photon emissions, each with a lower disposed surface for providing a crystal output and an upwardly disposed surface for receiving said emissions, said segments being arranged in a predetermined pattern;
- a base assembly for supporting said crystal assembly segments at a said lower disposed surface thereof;
- a platform assembly transparent to said photon emissions, positioned over said crystal assembly, having a receiving region for receiving said tissue sample located over said plurality of segments and having indicia identifying the location of each said segment;
- a signal treatment network responsive to said crystal output of each said segment for deriving a segment specific pulse output corresponding with each valid said photon emission from said tissue sample when positioned at said receiving region;
- a counting circuit responsive in the presence of an enable input to count each said segment specific pulse output to derive a segment count value;
- and
- a control and compiling system responsive to a start command for deriving said enable input, including a timing network actuable with said start command for determining the time interval during which said segment count value is derived, responsive to compile said segment count value for each said segment and derive a visually perceptible readout of each such compiled segment count value.
A method for locating the situs of photon emissions from a tissue sample, comprising the steps of:
- providing a radiation responsive crystal assembly having a plurality of segments arranged in a predetermined pattern, each discretely responsive to said photon emissions interacting therewith to provide a segment specific output;
- providing a radiation transmissive receiving region adjacent said crystal assembly having indicia identifying the location of each said segment;
- positioning said tissue sample at said receiving region in a given orientation;
- providing a signal treatment network responsive to each said segment specific output and deriving a segment specific pulse output corresponding with each valid said photon emission from said tissue sample at said receiving region;
- counting the number of said segment specific pulse outputs occurring for a duration of sampling time to derive segment specific total count values;
- displaying said segment specific total count values in conjunction with the said indicia corresponding thereto;
- and
- determining a location of said situs in correspondence with the highest said segment specific total count value for said given tissue sample orientation.
A system for locating the situs of photon emissions from a tissue sample, comprising:
- a radiation responsive crystal assembly having a plurality of segments discretely arranged in a predetermined pattern, responsive to said photon emissions interacting therewith to provide a segment specific output;
- a platform assembly transparent to said photon emissions, positioned over said crystal assembly, having a receiving region for receiving said tissue sample located over said plurality of segments and having indicia identifying the location of each said segment;
- a signal treatment network responsive to each said segment specific output for deriving a segment specific pulse output corresponding with each valid said photon emission from said tissue sample when positioned at said receiving region;
- a controller circuit, responsive to a clock input and asynchronously assertable start and stop commands for respectively deriving an enable output synchronized with said clock input and a stop output;
- a timer circuit responsive to said enable output to carry out a time interval measurement;
- a counter network including a plurality of segment specific counters, each responsive in the presence of said enable output to count each said segment specific pulse corresponding with a predetermined said crystal assembly segment to provide a segment count value for each said segment;
- a computer including a display under the control of said computer, including an interface circuit coupled with said controller circuit, said timer circuit and said counter network, responsive to a user input to derive said start and stop commands and for compiling and displaying each said segment count value at said display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.