US3839641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for whole body imaging and count profiling with a scintillation camera
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-06-22
•
Granted: 1974-10-01
•
Expires: 1993-06-22
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for the radionuclide imaging of the whole body of a patient using an unmodified scintillation camera which permits a patient to be continuously moved under or over the stationary camera face along one axis at a time, parallel passes being made to increase the dimension of the other axis. The system includes a unique electrical circuit which makes it possible to digitally generate new matrix coordinates by summing the coordinates of a first fixed reference frame and the coordinates of a second moving reference frame.
Inventors
- 👤 E Kaplan
- 👤 M Cooke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/29; G01T1/2914; G01T1/2978
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object that can be displayed in image form or in count profile form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism; said scintillation camera representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by said scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said scintillation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in said scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by said data processing mechanism are displayed in image form or in count profile form.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
312 words
A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object that can be displayed in image form or in count profile form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism; said scintillation camera representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by said scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said scintillation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in said scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by said data processing mechanism are displayed in image form or in count profile form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein the first set of coordinates is represented in a fixed reference frame as analog signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein the second set of coordinates is represented in a moving reference frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein the first set of coordinates is expressed as a first set of analog signals and the second set of signals is expressed as a second set of analog signals, wherein the sense, magnitude and output impedance of the second set of signals match those of the first set of signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic interface means digitally generates the sum of the first set of signals and the second set of signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said scintillatioN camera is stationary and said motor mechanism moves said support means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said motor mechanism includes a first motor for moving said support means along the X axis and a second motor for moving said support means along the Y axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system set forth in claim 1, and further comprising means for electronically synchronizing said electronic interface means with the relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said scintillation detector is masked to provide a rectangular area of view, the relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means being controlled by said motor mechanism to provide substantially an equal exposure time of all parts of the object viewed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said scintillation camera is positioned below said support means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system set forth in claim 1, and further comprising means for storing the information produced during the relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means and for displaying the stored information in count profile form or in image form.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
323 words
A system for use with a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form, said system comprising means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct nonuniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
323 words
A system for use with a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form, said system comprising means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct nonuniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
200 words
A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along both the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable the entire object to be scanned by the scintillation detector; producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position oF the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the display device for display thereby in image form or in count profile form.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
200 words
A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along both the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable the entire object to be scanned by the scintillation detector; producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position oF the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the display device for display thereby in image form or in count profile form.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method set forth in claim 14, wherein the scintillation camera is stationary and the object is moved with respect thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method set forth in claim 14, wherein the object is positioned above the scintillation camera.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method set forth in claim 14, wherein the first set of signals and the second set of signals are analog.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method set forth in claim 14, wherein the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates are summed digitally.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method set forth in claim 14 and further comprising masking the scintillation detector to provide a rectangular area of view and coordinating the relative movement between the object and the scintillation detector to provide substantially an equal exposure time for all parts of the object viewed.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
300 words
A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object that can be displayed in visual form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism; said scintillation camera representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in both the X and Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by said scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said scintillation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in said scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by said data processing mechanism are displayed in visual form.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
300 words
A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object that can be displayed in visual form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism; said scintillation camera representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in both the X and Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by said scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said scintillation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in said scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by said data processing mechanism are displayed in visual form.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
314 words
A system for use with a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be displayed on the display device in visual form, said system comprising means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are displayed on the display device in visual form.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
314 words
A system for use with a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be displayed on the display device in visual form, said system comprising means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are displayed on the display device in visual form.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along both the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable the entire object to be scanned by the scintillation detector; producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the display device for display thereby in visual form.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along both the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable the entire object to be scanned by the scintillation detector; producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the display device for display thereby in visual form.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
294 words
A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object in digital form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism; said scintillation camera representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by said scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said scintillation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed to correct nonuniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in said scintillation detector, the n sets of signals received by said data processing mechanism being displayed in digital form.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
294 words
A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object in digital form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism; said scintillation camera representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by said scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said scintillation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed to correct nonuniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in said scintillation detector, the n sets of signals received by said data processing mechanism being displayed in digital form.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
292 words
A system for use with a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be produced from the data processing mechanism in digital form, said system comprising means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are produced in digital form.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
292 words
A system for use with a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be produced from the data processing mechanism in digital form, said system comprising means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along both the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in both the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimensions along both the X and the Y axes summed to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are produced in digital form.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along both the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable the entire object to be scanned by the scintillation detector; producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the data processing mechanism for production thereby in digital form.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along both the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable the entire object to be scanned by the scintillation detector; producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the data processing mechanism for production thereby in digital form.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3684886A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |