System for whole body imaging and count profiling with a scintillation camera

Claim 1

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 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 electronically masking said scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 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

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 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 electronically masking said scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 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

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; electronically masking the scintillation detector into a predetermined shape; providing relative and extended linear movement along both the X and Y axes between an object having the souce 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 4

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; electronically masking the scintillation detector into a predetermined shape; providing relative and extended linear movement along both the X and Y axes between an object having the souce 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 5

A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation through an object that can be displayed in image form or in count profiling form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism, said scintillation camera repesenting 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 one of the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in the one of the X and the Y directions to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction 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 electronically masking said scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 one of the X and 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 6

A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation through an object that can be displayed in image form or in count profiling form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism, said scintillation camera repesenting 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 one of the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in the one of the X and the Y directions to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction 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 electronically masking said scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 one of the X and 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 14

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 through 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 relative movement of extended linear dimension along one of the X and Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in one of the X and the Y directions to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction 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 electronically masking the scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 one of 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 image form or in count profile form.

Claim 15

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 through 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 relative movement of extended linear dimension along one of the X and Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in one of the X and the Y directions to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction 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 electronically masking the scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 one of 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 image form or in count profile form.

Claim 16

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 one of the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in the one of the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction 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 electronically masking said scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 the one of the X and the Y axes summed to correct non-uniformity, 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 17

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 one of the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of said scintillation detector in the one of the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction 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 electronically masking said scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 the one of the X and the Y axes summed to correct non-uniformity, 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 18

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 one of the X and the Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in the one of the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction 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 electronically masking the scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 the one of 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 19

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 one of the X and the Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimensions of the scintillation detector in the one of the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction 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 electronically masking the scintillation camera into a predetermined shape 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 the one of 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 20

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; electronically masking the scintillation camera into a predetermined shape, providing relative and extended linear movement along one of 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 along the one axis 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 21

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; electronically masking the scintillation camera into a predetermined shape, providing relative and extended linear movement along one of 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 along the one axis 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 22

A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation through 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, electronically masking the scintillation camera into a predetermined shape, providing relative and extended linear movement along one of the X and Y axes between an object having a source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable the entire object to be scanned along the one axis 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 23

A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation through 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, electronically masking the scintillation camera into a predetermined shape, providing relative and extended linear movement along one of the X and Y axes between an object having a source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable the entire object to be scanned along the one axis 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.