Adjustable dual-detector image data acquisition system

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to imaging systems and more particularly to imaging systems for use in nuclear medicine.

#2. Description of the Relevant Art

#FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic views depicting the fixed orientation of the detectors for existing dual-head and triple head imaging systems;

#FIGS. 1C-1E are schematic views showing 3 of the multiple angular stops required for a 360° scan with the angular displacement of the detectors at 180°;

#FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic views showing 3 of the multiple angular stops required for a 180° scan with the angular displacement of the detectors at 90°;

#FIGS. 1C-1E depict the required angular stops for two detectors 4 displaced by 180° to accomplish a 360° scan. In the 180° configuration the size of the detectors does not limit their radial motion and the detectors 4 can be positioned to touch the body 10 of the patient at each stop. However, the detectors cannot be moved in circular path while maintaining close proximity to the body of the patient 10 because the body 10 of the patient is not circular.

#FIGS. 2A-2C depict a preferred embodiment of the invention. The detectors 4 have their image direction arrows oriented at 90° to reduce the imaging time of a 180° scan to ½ the imaging time of a single-head system because data is acquired from two stops simultaneously.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention that allows the adjustment of the relative angular displacement of the detectors to have any magnitude from less than 90° upto 180°. Further, each detector may be independently moved toward or away from the lateral axis 48.