Apparatus for and method of detecting radiation source

An apparatus for detecting a radiation source, comprising:

• an area sensor having a plurality of detecting elements for detecting a radiation emitted from a radiation source in an examinee;
• a signal processor for determining a distribution and a position of the radiation source relative to the position of said area sensor on said examinee based on signals outputted from said detecting elements and for determining a direction for moving said area sensor on said examinee to approach said radiation source;
• and
• a display unit for displaying the determined distribution and position of the radiation source relative to the position of said area sensor on said examinee, and for indicating said direction for moving said area sensor on said examinee to approach said radiation source.

An apparatus for detecting a radiation source, comprising:

• a main unit having a prismatic shape;
• an area sensor disposed in a portion of said main unit and having a plurality of detecting elements for detecting a radiation emitted from a radiation source in an examinee;
• a signal processor for determining a distribution and a position of the radiation source relative to the position of said area sensor on said examinee based on signals outputted from said detecting elements and for determining a direction for moving said area sensor on said examinee to approach said radiation source;
• and
• a display unit disposed in another portion of said main unit, for displaying the determined distribution and position of the radiation source relative to the position of said area sensor on said examinee, and for indicating said direction for moving said area sensor on said examinee to approach said radiation source.

An apparatus for detecting a radiation source, comprising:

• an area sensor having a plurality of detecting elements for detecting a radiation emitted from a radiation source in an examinee;
• a signal processor for processing signals outputted from said detecting elements into an audio signal, said signal processor determining a position of the radiation source relative to the position of said area sensor on said examinee based on signals outputted from said detecting elements and for determining a direction for moving said area sensor on said examinee to approach said radiation source;
• and
• audio output means for outputting sound and/or voice sound based on the audio signal from said signal processor;
• said signal processor comprising means for controlling said audio output means to generate sound and/or voice sound indicative of a position of said radiation source relative to a position of said area sensor on said examinee, and for indicating said direction for moving said area sensor on said examinee to approach said radiation source.

A method of detecting the position of a radiation source with an area sensor having a plurality of radiation detecting elements which provide a radiation detecting surface, comprising subsequent steps of:

• initially, combining a predetermined number of output signals from said radiation detecting elements to cause said area sensor to function as a reduced number of radiation detecting elements without changing the area of said radiation detecting surface;
• thereafter, combining a progressively reduced number of output signals from said radiation detecting elements to cause said area sensor to function as a progressively increased number of radiation detecting elements without changing the area of said radiation detecting surface;
• and
• finally, causing said area sensor to function as said plurality of radiation detecting elements.

A method of detecting the position of a radiation source with an area sensor having a plurality of radiation detecting elements which provide a radiation detecting surface, comprising subsequent steps of:

• initially, combining all output signals from said radiation detecting elements to cause said area sensor to function as a single radiation detecting element without changing the area of said radiation detecting surface;
• thereafter, combining a predetermined number of output signals from said radiation detecting elements to cause said area sensor to function as a reduced number of radiation detecting elements without changing the area of said radiation detecting surface;
• thereafter, combining a progressively reduced number of output signals from said radiation detecting elements to cause said area sensor to function as a progressively increased number of radiation detecting elements without changing the area of said radiation detecting surface;
• and
• finally, causing said area sensor to function as said plurality of radiation detecting elements.