Modular gamma imaging device
Inventors
Hugg, James William • Harris, Brian William • Walker, Franklin Dean • Thomson, Sarah Melissa • McVay, Brian Patrick • Clajus, Rolf Martin
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10598801-B2
Publication Date
2020-03-24
Expiration Date
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Abstract
One embodiment provides an imaging device, including: an enclosure comprising a casing and a radiation lining arranged within the casing to provide a radiation shield, wherein the enclosure comprises a removable portion; a plurality of modular components; each of the plurality of modular components comprising a plurality of gamma detectors including semiconductor crystals and being removable from the imaging device; the plurality of modular components being arranged such that the plurality of gamma detectors are configured in an array configuration with each of the plurality of gamma detectors having a predetermined spacing from each other gamma detector; a plurality of electronic communication components, wherein the plurality of electronic communication components facilitate communication from each of the gamma detectors to a processor using a hierarchical communication technique; and a cooling system. Other aspects are described and claimed.
Core Innovation
One embodiment provides an imaging device comprising an enclosure comprising a casing and a radiation lining arranged within the casing to provide a radiation shield, wherein the enclosure comprises a removable portion; a plurality of modular components; each of the plurality of modular components comprising a plurality of gamma detectors including semiconductor crystals and being removable from the imaging device; the plurality of modular components being arranged such that the plurality of gamma detectors are configured in an array configuration with each of the plurality of gamma detectors having a predetermined spacing from each other gamma detector; a plurality of electronic communication components, wherein the plurality of electronic communication components facilitate communication from each of the gamma detectors to a processor using a hierarchical communication technique; and a cooling system.
The background identifies that gamma cameras include many fragile parts, for example, the semiconductor crystals, sensitive electronic communication components paired with a specific crystal, and the like, and that in the case of breakdown or malfunction in the field, repairing the gamma camera can be difficult and may become costly. Conventional gamma cameras typically only have two access points and to access components in the center of the device a technician may have to remove components surrounding the desired component. Accordingly, an embodiment provides a gamma imaging device system that includes a modular construction that allows for removal of components within the device, where the components within the camera are divided into modules that are removable by a single person without using mechanical assistance, and modules are designed so that fewer components have to be removed to access a malfunctioning component while maintaining tolerance between components after replacement.
Claims Coverage
This coverage identifies 3 independent claims and 13 main inventive features extracted from those claims.
Enclosure with radiation lining and removable portion
an enclosure comprising a casing and a radiation lining arranged within the casing to provide a radiation shield, wherein the enclosure comprises a removable portion
Modular removable gamma detector elements arranged in arrays and drawers
a plurality of modular components; each of the plurality of modular components comprising a plurality of gamma detector elements including semiconductor crystals and being removable from the imaging device; the plurality of modular components being arranged such that the plurality of gamma detector elements are configured in an array configuration with each of the plurality of gamma detector elements having a predetermined spacing from each other gamma detector element wherein each of the plurality of modular components corresponds to one of a plurality of drawers and each of the plurality of drawers are mounted on a slideable mechanism, wherein each of the drawers is parallel to a bottom plane of the imaging device, wherein each of the plurality of modular components are field serviceable while maintaining the predetermined spacing between each of the gamma detector elements through travel of a corresponding drawer between a locked-closed position and a cantilevered position and wherein the predetermined spacing facilitates high resolution images across the plurality of modular components
Hierarchical electronic communication from detectors to processor
a plurality of electronic communication components, wherein the plurality of electronic communication components facilitate communication from each of the gamma detector elements to a processor using a hierarchical communication technique
Cooling system
a cooling system
Hierarchical communication components comprising ICs, FPGAs, array aggregators, system control board and processor
a plurality of electronic communication components facilitating hierarchical communication from a plurality of gamma detector elements to a processor; the plurality of electronic communication components comprising a plurality of integrated circuits, a plurality of field programmable gate arrays, a plurality of array aggregators, a system control board, and the processor
Detector elements paired with integrated circuits and grouped into arrays, units and drawers
wherein each gamma detector element comprises one of the plurality of integrated circuits and wherein the gamma detector elements are grouped into arrays; wherein each of the integrated circuits of the arrays communicate with one of the plurality of field programmable gate arrays assigned to the corresponding array and wherein the arrays of gamma detector elements are grouped into units and wherein the units are grouped into drawers with a predetermined spacing wherein each of the drawers is mounted on a slideable mechanism, wherein each of the drawers is parallel to a bottom plane of the imaging device, wherein each of the plurality of modular components are field serviceable while maintaining the predetermined spacing between each of the gamma detector elements through travel of a corresponding drawer between a locked-closed position and a cantilevered position and wherein the predetermined spacing facilitates high resolution images across the plurality of modular components
FPGA communication to array aggregators and system control
wherein the field programmable gate arrays for a corresponding drawer communicate with one of the plurality of array aggregators assigned to the corresponding drawer; wherein the plurality of array aggregators communicate with the system control board and wherein the system control board communicates with the processor, the processor facilitating communication with a remote system
Array aggregators and system control board implemented as FPGAs
wherein each of the array aggregators comprises a field programmable gate array and communicates with the system control board and wherein the system control board communicates with the system on a chip (SoC)
Radiation-shielding lining comprising lead or tungsten alloy
a radiation-shielding enclosure comprising a casing and a lining comprising a lead alloy or tungsten alloy arranged within the casing to provide a complete radiation shield, wherein the enclosure comprises a top side, a bottom side, and four lateral sides, wherein one of the four lateral sides comprises a removable portion comprising a portion of the casing and a portion of the lining
Gamma detector elements comprising semiconductor crystals and integrated circuits
each of the plurality of modular components comprising a plurality of gamma detector elements comprising semiconductor crystals and integrated circuits and being removable from the imaging device
Grouping arrays into units and drawers with slideable mechanism
wherein the gamma detector elements are grouped into arrays comprising a plurality of gamma detector elements; wherein each of the integrated circuits of the arrays communicate with one of the plurality of field programmable gate arrays assigned to the corresponding array and wherein the arrays of gamma detector elements are grouped into units comprising a plurality of arrays and wherein the units are grouped into drawers comprising a plurality of units, wherein the gamma imaging device comprises a plurality of drawers and wherein each of the plurality of drawers are mounted on a slideable mechanism, wherein each of the drawers is parallel to a bottom plane of the imaging device, wherein each of the plurality of arrays are field serviceable while maintaining the predetermined spacing between each of the gamma detector elements through travel of a corresponding drawer between a locked-closed position and a cantilevered position and wherein the predetermined spacing facilitates high resolution images across the plurality of arrays
Array aggregators comprising FPGAs communicating with system control FPGA and processor
wherein the field programmable gate arrays for a corresponding drawer communicate with one of the plurality of array aggregators assigned to the corresponding drawer; wherein the plurality of array aggregators comprise a plurality of field programmable gate arrays and communicates with the system control board and wherein the system control board comprises a field programmable gate array and communicates with the processor, the processor facilitating communication with a remote system
Inclusion of a cooling system in gamma imaging device
a cooling system
The independent claims recite a modular, radiation-lined enclosure with a removable portion; removable gamma detector modules comprising semiconductor crystals and integrated circuits arranged in arrays, units and drawers with predetermined spacing and slideable mechanisms; a hierarchical electronic communication architecture including integrated circuits, FPGAs, array aggregators, a system control board and a processor facilitating remote communication; and a cooling system.
Stated Advantages
Modular construction allows removal of components by a single person without using mechanical assistance, reducing the possibility of damage during repair.
Module design maintains tolerance and predetermined spacing between detector crystals even after replacement of a section of a component.
Fewer components need to be removed to access a malfunctioning component, minimizing additional damage during field service.
A removable lateral side (front) provides better access while the removable portion includes a radiation-shielding lining so that when installed the device provides a complete radiation shield.
A hierarchical electronic communication system allows for a reduction in the number of electronic communication components, thereby reducing heat generation and the amount of processing required by the single board computer.
The hierarchical readout architecture increases the count rate and reduces the total number of data packets sent to the host by collecting and packaging data into optimized packets, enabling use of a simple plug-in communication connection.
Documented Applications
Medical imaging, including use where a patient ingests, is injected with, or inhales radiopharmaceuticals that emit gamma photons.
Security screening, where an individual's body or personal effect may be placed in an imaging device or scanner to search for prohibited materials.
Nuclear medicine imaging systems such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
X-ray imaging systems and x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging systems.
Use in medical imaging systems with a gantry and patient table for acquiring radiation or imaging data from a patient, animal, airport baggage, or the like.
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