Gamma camera with capability of modifying study during exam
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
InventorsJody L. Garrard, Horace Hines, Hugo Bertelsen, David E. Coles, Jeffrey A. Hallett
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Abstract
A gamma camera is provided in which the study protocol can be modified after the study has commenced and while event data is being acquired. In such a camera, study parameters such as the duration of the study, the number of image frames acquired, or the count criterion required to produce an image may be changed dynamically as the study proceeds. Thus, a nuclear study which is seen to be leading to unsatisfactory or less than optimal results may be altered during acquisition to increase the likelihood that diagnostically useful results will be produced.
Claims11
A gamma camera comprising:
- a detector which acts to acquire scintillation event data;
- an event data processor coupled to the detector which is responsive to the event data to produce image information;
- a camera system controller, responsive to study parameters, which acts to control the camera to perform a desired nuclear study;
- and
- a user input, coupled to the controller, which enables user selection of a study parameter,
- wherein the user input is operable during the conduct of a study to enable the user to modify the study parameter.
A method of operating a gamma camera to conduct a nuclear study comprising:
- preconditioning the camera with parameters which govern the conduct of the study by the camera;
- commanding the camera to begin the study in accordance with the parameters;
- and
- prior to the conclusion of the study, commanding the camera to complete the study in accordance with a modified parameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.