Patent ID: 6271510
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: A61B,G01T

Abstract:
Apparatus for capturing a two dimensional image created by particle emanations from a source, comprising:a) collimator means for collimating the particle emanations and producing collimated emanations, comprising a collimator plate having a series of collimator apertures separated by septa made of a material capable of absorbing the emanations;b) scintillating means aligned behind the collimator means for capturing the collimated emanations and emitting scintillation photons corresponding thereto, comprising a two-dimensional array of scintillating fibers, wherein each scintillating fiber is located at a pre-selected x-position and y-position having x and y coordinates in an x-y plane; andc) position encoding means for encoding the x-y position of an active scintillating fiber receiving a particle emanation within a pre-selected time interval, comprising photon detecting means for detecting the emitted scintillation photons and generating output signals correlatable therewith, optical coupling means for optically coupling each scintillating fiber to the photon detecting means in a manner which encodes the x-y coordinates of the scintillating fibers, and signal processing means for processing the output signals and generating position signals indicative of the encoded position of the active scintillating fiber.