Patent ID: 6504157
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: A61B,G01T

Abstract:
A single photon emission computed tomography system for producing multiple tomographic images of the type representing a three-dimensional distribution of a photon-emitting radioisotope, said system comprising:a base including a patient support for supporting a patient such that a portion of the patient is located in a field of view, a longitudinal axis being defined through the field of view; a generally arcuate detector assembly adjacent to the field of view, said detector assembly extending generally arcuately at least partially about the field of view between a first end and a second end, said first and second ends being spaced apart so as to define an entry opening to the field of view, the detector assembly comprising a plurality of photon-responsive detectors arranged along the arcuate detector assembly, each detector being operable to detect if a photon strikes the detector; a collimating assembly including at least two spaced apart collimating vanes of photon-attenuating material, each of said vanes being disposed between said detectors and the field of view; a generally arcuate photon-blocking member disposed between the field of view and said detectors, said blocking member having a plurality of aperture slots defined therethrough at intervals along said member for passage of photons aligned with said aperture slots, a line of response for each of said detectors being defined from said detector through the nearest of said aperture slots; and a displacement actuator operable to move said photon-blocking member relative to said detectors such that said aperture slots are displaced relative to said detectors and said lines of response are swept across at least a portion of the field of view.