Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for transmission measurements to form a 2-d or a 3-d image in tomography applications

US5471061A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
12References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 21, 1994
Grant dateNov 28, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01T1/2985
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing radioactive transmission measurements to form a 2-D or a 3-D image with a point source of radiation, such as required in positron emission tomography applications. This involves the passing of the point source proximate the face of a selected each of the tomograph units for the formation of a 3-D image, or a selected portion of the tomograph units for a 2-D image. As such, attenuation data, transmission data, detector performance data, etc., can be obtained. This point source of radiation is rapidly circulated through a conduit that passes across each detector face under the influence of a transport fluid in, for example, an oscillatory motion to achieve a selected radiation field whereby calculation of transmission measurements within a body positioned within the tomograph scanner is achieved. When not being circulated, the radiation source is held within a shield. Circulation of the transport fluid, typically a hydraulic fluid, is typically accomplished using a positive displacement pump. Position sensors are used to monitor the movement of the source in the conduit as well as its position within the shield. Disconnect units permit removal of …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.