SPECT for breast cancer detection

US6794653B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Elgems Ltd. · IL

Inventors

• Naor Wainer · Jerusalem, IL
• Yaron Hefetz · Herzliya, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 30, 2003
• Grant date: Sep 21, 2004
• Expiry date: Apr 30, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B6/037
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A nuclear imaging system for imaging of the breast including at least one gamma camera, having a radiation detecting surface, which detects gamma radiation and provides data signals responsive to radiation from the breast and a collimator, positioned over the reception surface. The system includes a gantry on which the radiation detector is mounted and which provides rotational movement of the radiation detection surface around the axis of the breast and a computer which receives and analyzes the data signals and constructs an image of radiation sources therefrom. The radiation detection surface of the at least one gamma camera is tilted with respect to the axis during rotation of the at least one gamma camera about the axis, such that it is partially facing the chest of a study subject. Alternatively, the collimator has septa its center which accept radiation from a direction perpendicular to the radiation detection surface and septa near an edge of the collimator which accept radiation from an outward facing acute angle to the perpendicular direction.