US3591806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multicrystal tomographic scanner for mapping thin cross section of radioactivity in an organ of the human body
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1970-03-17
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1990-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A multicrystal tomographic scanner is utilized for mapping thin slices or cross sections of radioactivity in an organ of the human body which has been injected or ingested with a suitable radioisotope. A plurality of radiation detectors are arranged in a cylindrical monoplanar array with each detector focused in such a manner that the fields of view of all of the detectors intersect at a common point, and the detectors are driven mechanically such that this common point of the detectors is caused to move in a rectilinear raster of about 8 inches square. The distribution of radioactivity measured by the detectors due to the amount of radioisotope within the area being scanned is stored in a computer memory and reproduced on an oscilloscope display, as the section is being examined.
Inventors
- 👤 Aaron B Brill
- 👤 James A Patton
- 👤 Jon J Erickson
- 👤 Paul H King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/29; G01T1/2914; G01T1/2985; A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/02; A61B6/025; A61B6/03; A61B6/037; A61B6/58; A61B6/582; A61B6/583
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
The scanner set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said detectors includes a multihole focusing collimator, a sodium iodide crystal coupled to said collimator, a photomultiplier tube coupled to said crystal, and a preamplifier mounted on the base of said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
The scanner set forth in claim 1, wherein said support means for said detectors includes a cylindrical cagelike assembly consisting of a top ring and a bottom ring and a plurality of vertical support posts separating said rings and affixed thereto, a plurality of rotatable additional vertical posts extending between said rings and through journal bearings in said rings, respective ones of said detectors being mounted on respective ones of said rotatable posts to from said monoplanar array of detectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
The scanner set forth in claim 3, wherein said meanS for mechanically coupling said detectors together comprises a plurality of horizontal slotted arms, one each of said arms affixed to the top of one each of said rotatable detector supporting posts, and a common shaft extending through each of said slotted arms to provide a common driving point for said arms and said rotatable posts attached thereto, said common driving point being directly above said common intersection point for the fields of view of said detectors, said common driving point shaft being adapted to move both of said common points simultaneously through said rectilinear raster.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The scanner set forth in claim 4, wherein the number of radiation detectors in said monoplanar array is at least eight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The scanner set forth in claim 5, wherein said summing means comprises a digital logic interface and said data storing means comprises a 4096 channel analyzer for storing an array of 64 by 64 data points therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The scanner set forth in claim 5, wherein said scanner is adapted to scan a body section which has been injected with a stable tracer, said scanner being further provided with an exciting source suspended from the lower end of said rectilinear driving shaft, said exciting source directing exciting rays through said common intersection point of said detectors for effecting fluorescence radiation in said stable tracer within said body section, whereby said scanner provides for fluorescence scanning of the excited tracer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The scanner set forth in claim 6, and further including a computer and tape decks coupled to said 4096 channel analyzer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The scanner set forth in claim 6, wherein said rotatable detector supporting posts are provided with a plurality of additional monoplanar arrays of radiation detectors, whereby a plurality of cross-sectional scans may be effected simultaneously during the rectilinear scanning of said scanner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
The scanner set forth in claim 1, wherein said mechanical coupling of said detectors is replaced with a precision stepping motor, said detectors being coupled to said motor in such a manner that each of said detectors is swept through a preselected angle only once during a scanning operation, and said summing means, storing means and oscilloscope display are replaced with a 4096 channel analyzer connected to the outputs of said detectors and a computer coupled to said analyzer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |