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US 6,552,348 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for breast cancer imaging
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsSimon R. Cherry, Johannes Czernin, Niraj K. Doshi, Yiping Shao, Robert W. Silverman
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Abstract
A detector for use in a dedicated PET scanner for cancer applications, particularly breast cancer applications, using a LSO scintillator, a lightguide coupling arrangement, and an efficient way to construct the scintillator array, which provides a flexible imaging system for breast cancer applications with high sensitivity and high spatial resolution in a compact, cost effective, design.
Claims9
A positron emission tomography imaging apparatus comprising:
- at least two, opposed detectors, said detectors having an array of scintillation crystals, a plurality of position-sensitive photomultiplier tubes positioned adjacent said plurality of arrays, and a lightguide having an end positioned adjacent to said array of scintillation crystals and having an opposing end adjacent to said photomultiplier tubes.
A PET imaging apparatus comprising:
- at least two detector plates, each plate comprised of at least one detector, said detector having a scintillator coupled to one end of a lightguide, the opposing end of said lightguide coupled to a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube.
A method for examining a body part comprising:
- providing an internal image of the body part including, a positron emitting radioisotope and a positron recording apparatus between which the body part is to be disposed;
- and
- placing at least two detector plates over different areas of the body part, each plate comprised of at least one detector, said detector having a scintillator coupled to one end of a lightguide, the opposing end of said lightguide coupled to a photomultiplier tube, said detector is capable of detecting gamma-rays emitted by the radioisotope infiltrated into the body part in an adjacent relationship with said recording apparatus for providing the internal image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.