Abstract:
Method and apparatus for alignment of a collimator in a scintillation camera system. First coarse alignment apparatus includes an alignment plunger coordinated with a first mating member. A recess coordinated with a second mating member is positioned and configured to loosely receive the alignment plunger for coarse alignment. Coarse alignment of the first apparatus establishes a vertical axis for horizontal angular rotation about which angular displacement of the members effects coarse alignment with second, coarse alignment apparatus spaced from the first apparatus. The plunger assemblies are preferably spring loaded so that an audible click is generated when the plunger impacts the bottom of the recess to indicate coarse alignment. The coarse alignment apparatus guides the two members into fine alignment whereupon tight fitting fine alignment apparatus coordinated with the two members is mated.
Abstract:
A scintillation camera system is disclosed having a scintillator camera which produces electrical signals corresponding to scintillation intensity and location on a scintillator. The system has circuitry for processing these signals including a plurality of signal amplifiers which individually amplify the intensity and location signals. The gain of these signal amplifiers is adjustable by a remote switch which alters the condition of gain control circuitry associated with the signal amplifiers. The disclosed signal amplifiers further include a control circuit which stabilizes the direct current (D.C.) output of the amplifiers at a particular level with respect to a reference voltage and yet permits output pulses to be produced without altering the output pulse amplitudes.
Abstract:
A gamma imaging camera with a scintillation crystal and a plurality of phototubes. A light pipe optically couples the crystal and the tubes. The light pipe has, at its output end, a plurality of truncated pyramids each associated with one of the phototubes. As disclosed, the walls of the pyramids are hexagonal in cross-sectional configuration and flare outwardly to intersect adjacent walls, thus providing a continuous field of view. The disclosure also shows a lift-out detector head subassembly construction.
Abstract:
In a gamma ray imaging camera having a scintillation crystal and a plurality of phototubes, two channels are provided for receiving and processing radiation of two different energy levels arising from injection into a patient of two different radioisotopes. Signals in the two energy ranges may both be recorded for future analysis or may be displayed side-by-side on an oscilloscope. Regardless of whether one or two isotopes are used, information describing the locations of scintillation in the crystal may be digitized, recorded, and played back for visual display at a later time. Alternatively, the location information may be displayed immediately. Calibration means are also provided for presenting the output of each phototube individually on an oscilloscope so that the apparatus may be adjusted to correct for variations inherent in phototubes.
Abstract:
In a digital recording-playback technique, a ring counter is utilized in playback mode to insure that bits have not been dropped or spurious noise signals recorded. If the correct number of signals have been recorded in a word preceding a synchronizing signal, signals are obtained from two adjacent stages of the ring counter that permit the synchronizing signal to open a transfer gate from a shift register to a display register. If the correct number of signals has not been received, transfer is inhibited.