System and method for time-of-flight imaging
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
InventorErik Leo Ritman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for imaging a subject includes a clock that generates a clock signal and a radiation source that directs photons through the subject in response to the clock signal. A detector system is included that detects the photons and a memory module records a time of detection of the photons by the detector system with respect to the clock signal. The system includes a processor that calculates a time of flight (TOF) of the photons from the radiation source to the detector system and compares the TOF to a reference TOF to determine a delay in the TOF attributable to the photons passing trough the subject.
Claims20
A system for producing diagnostic images comprising:
- a clock generating a clock signal;
- a radiation source directing photons through a subject to be imaged;
- a detector system detecting the photons;
- a memory module recording a time of detection of the photons by the detector system with respect to the clock signal;
- and
- a processor calculating a time of flight (TOF) of the photons to the detector system and comparing the TOF to a reference TOF to determine a delay in the TOF attributable to the photons passing trough the subject.
A method for producing an image of a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) directing photons through a subject from one side of the subject;
- b) detecting the location of the photons passing through the subject to another side of the subject opposite the one side of the subject;
- c) measuring a time of flight (TOF) of the detected photons;
- and
- d) comparing the TOF of the detected photons to a reference TOF to determine a delay incurred by the photons by passing through the subject;
- and
- e) reconstructing an image of the subject using the location and the delay incurred by the photons passing through the subject determined in steps b) and d).
A system for producing diagnostic images comprising:
- a radiation source including a positron annihilation source disposed to one side a subject to direct photons through a subject to be imaged;
- a reference detector array arranged on the one side of the subject to receive first gamma rays produced by annihilation events;
- an image detector array arranged on a side of the subject opposite the one side of the subject to receive second gamma rays produced the annihilation events after the second gamma rays pass through the subject;
- a processor calculating a time of flight (TOF) difference between receiving the first gamma rays at the reference detector and the second gamma rays at the image detector;
- and
- means for reconstructing an image of the subject based on the TOF difference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.