Patent Publication Number: US-9903963-B2

Title: Method, apparatus and system of the correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus and system of the correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition, in particular, analyzing sinograms with and without the metal thin film to realize the method, apparatus and system of the correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
       FIG. 1  shows the energy distribution chart of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and fluorine-18 (F-18). Tc-99m and F-18 has energy crosstalk in the range of 100˜200 (keV). So Tc-99m and F-18 should be measured separately in order to enhance the accuracy of diagnostic imaging in the past. However, images taken at different time may suffer misregistration due to the setup error or involuntary motion of the patients. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition, applied when a Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) device scans the dual-isotopes, comprising: scanning the dual-isotopes by the SPECT device, afterwards the SPECT generating energy distribution charts, wherein the SPECT comprises at least one collimator; attaching a metal thin film to a partial area of an inner or outer side of the collimator; comparing and calculating the energy distribution charts having the metal thin film and without the metal thin film, further analyzing the energy crosstalk in the dual-isotopes in order to remove energy contamination from the dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition for image reconstruction without the energy crosstalk. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition, applied when a SPECT device scans the dual-isotopes, wherein Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) or Independent Components Analysis (ICA) are used to compare and calculate the energy distribution charts having the metal thin film and without the metal thin film, further analyzing the energy crosstalk in the dual-isotopes in order to remove energy contamination from the dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition for image reconstruction without the energy crosstalk. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device for correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition, applied when a Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) device scans the dual-isotopes, comprising: a metal thin film; at least one collimator, attached to a partial area of an inner or outer side of the collimator; a detecting unit, measuring energy distribution charts of the dual-isotopes; and a analyzing unit, coupled to the detecting unit for analyzing the energy distribution charts of the dual-isotopes. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system for correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition, applied when a Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system scans the dual-isotopes, comprising: a metal thin film; at least one collimator, attached to a partial area of an inner or outer side of the collimator; a detecting unit, measuring energy distribution charts of the dual-isotopes; an analyzing unit, coupled to the detecting unit for analyzing the energy distribution charts of the dual-isotopes; and a display unit, coupled to the analyzing unit for displaying the energy distribution charts of the dual-isotopes; wherein the analyzing unit compares and calculates the energy distribution charts having the metal thin film and without the metal thin film, further analyzing the energy crosstalk in the dual-isotopes in order to remove energy contamination from the dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition for image reconstruction without the energy crosstalk. 
     In order to further understand the techniques, means and effects of the present disclosure, the following detailed descriptions and appended drawings are hereby referred to, such that, and through which, the purposes, features and aspects of the present disclosure can be thoroughly and concretely appreciated; however, the appended drawings are merely provided for reference and illustration, without any intention to be used for limiting the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an energy distribution chart of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and fluorine-18 (F-18); 
         FIG. 2A  shows a method of a Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) device to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  shows an energy distribution chart of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and Iodine-123 (I-123) without the metal thin film in one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2C  shows an energy distribution chart of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and Iodine-123 (I-123) having the metal thin film in one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) device includes two collimators to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a SPECT device includes four collimators to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a SPECT device includes pinhole collimators to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a SPECT device includes rotating collimators to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of a SPECT device for correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition; 
         FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of a SPECT system for correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 2A  shows a method of a Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) device to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention. 
     According to one embodiment in the disclosure of the present invention, for the method of correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition, applied when the SPECT device scans the dual-isotopes, scanning the dual-isotopes by the SPECT device so as to generate energy distribution charts (S 205 ), wherein the SPECT comprises at least one collimator; attaching a metal thin film to a partial area of an inner or outer side of the collimator (S 210 ), further analyzing the energy distribution charts having the metal thin film and without the metal thin film in order to remove energy contamination from the dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition for reconstructing the energy distribution charts without the energy crosstalk (S 215 ). 
       FIG. 2B  shows an energy distribution chart of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and Iodine-123 (I-123) without the metal thin film in one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2C  shows an energy distribution chart of Tc-99m and I-123 having the metal thin film in one embodiment of the present invention. The energy distribution chart of Tc-99m and I-123 in the range of 120-180 (keV) has high energy crosstalk, so it is hard to remove the energy contamination of the dual-isotopes consisting of Tc-99m and I-123 in the past. 
     In one embodiment, the dual-isotope may be selected from Tc-99m, I-123, Iodine-124 (I-124), Iodine-125 (I-125), Iodine-131 (I-131), Indium-111 (In-111), Thallium-201 (Tl-201) and Gallium-67 (Ga-67). In this embodiment, the dual-isotopes consisted of Tc-99m and I-123, and the present invention discloses how to remove the energy crosstalk of Tc-99m and I-123, however, the present is not limited to the selection of the dual-isotopes consisting of Tc-99m and I-123. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the SPECT device scans the dual-isotopes consisting of Tc-99m and I-123, the SPECT device comprises at least one collimator, the collimator lets the light travel in straight lines in order to reduce optical interference. After the collimator is attached to the metal thin film, each of the dual-isotope may have different attenuation in accordance with the material of the metal thin film. The present invention utilizes the difference of attenuation of the dual-isotope and specific equation to remove energy crosstalk for reconstructing original energy distribution chart. The metal thin film may be attached to an inner or outer side of the collimator, to further explain, the metal thin film may be attached to a partial area or overall area of the metal thin film What&#39;s more, the metal thin film is attached to an inner or outer side of the collimator doesn&#39;t affect the accuracy of experiment. Last, comparing the energy distribution with and without the metal thin film to analyze the energy crosstalk of the dual-isotope, further reconstructing the original energy distribution chart of Tc-99m and In-123. 
     Further, the metal thin film is selected from lead (Pb), aurum (Au), argentum (Ag), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt) and tungsten (W). The material of the metal thin film is selected from a high atomic number because the photoelectric effect is prominent for photons with energies from a few electron volts to over 1 MeV in elements with the high atomic number. Wherein the thickness of the metal thin film is 0.05 mm˜1 mm, and the thickness and the material of the metal thin film are determined based on the dual-isotope. Specially, the ideal condition was that the metal thin film was selected from 0.25 mm Au. 
     More, the present invention utilizes equation A, equation B and equation C to reconstruct the energy distribution chart without energy crosstalk, the equation A calculates the total photon number detected in window A and window B without the metal thin film, the equation B calculates the total photon number detected in both window A and B with the metal thin film, and the equation C is used to reconstruct the original photon number without energy contamination. Wherein the energy distribution chart without the metal thin film is calculated by equation A, the equation A is:
 
 P   A   =f   A   +yf   B  
 
 P   B   =f   B   +xf   A  
 
wherein the energy distribution chart having the metal thin film is calculated by equation B, the equation B is:
 
 P   A′   =af   A   +ybf   B  
 
 P   B′   =df   B   +cxf   A  
 
wherein the energy distribution chart without the energy contamination is calculated by equation C, the equation C is:
 
     
       
         
           
             
               f 
               
                 A 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                     
                 
               
             
             = 
             
               
                 
                   P 
                   
                     A 
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                 - 
                 
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                   A 
                 
               
               
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               B 
             
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                   P 
                   
                     B 
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                 - 
                 
                   cP 
                   B 
                 
               
               
                 d 
                 - 
                 c 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     Wherein f A  represents photon number of an isotope A detected in an energy window A without the metal thin film, and yf B  represents partial photon number of an isotope B detected in the energy window A without the metal thin film, y represents fraction of the isotope B detected in the energy window A without the metal thin film, P A  represents the total photon number detected in the energy window A without the metal thin film. 
     Wherein f B  represents the photon number of the isotope B detected in an energy window B without the metal thin film, and xf A  represents partial photon number of the isotope A detected in the energy window B without the metal thin film, x represents the fraction of isotope A detected in the energy window B without the metal thin film, P B  represents the total photon number detected in the energy window B without the metal thin film. 
     Wherein af A  represents partial photon number of the isotope A detected in the energy window A having the metal thin film, a represents attenuation fraction of the isotope A detected in the energy window A having the metal thin film, and ybf B  represents partial photon number of the isotope B detected in the energy window A having the metal thin film, b represents attenuation fraction of the isotope B detected in the energy window A having the metal thin film, P A′  represents the total photon number detected in the energy window A having the metal thin film 
     Wherein df B  represents partial photon number of the isotope B detected in the energy window B having the metal thin film, d represents attenuation fraction of the isotope B detected in the energy window B having the metal thin film, and cxf A  represents partial photon number of the isotope A detected in the energy window B having the metal thin film, c represents attenuation fraction of the isotope A detected in the energy window B having the metal thin film, P B′  represents the total photon number detected in the energy window B having the metal thin film 
     The equation A, the equation B and the equation C are used to reconstruct the photon number of the isotope A to an original condition in the energy window A and to construct the photon number of the isotope B to an original condition in the energy window B. Wherein the attenuation fraction a, b, c, and d can be calculated by: 
     
       
         
           
             a 
             = 
             
               
                 
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                     99 
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     The present invention may also utilize Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) or Independent Components Analysis (ICA) to compare and calculate the energy distribution charts having the metal thin film and without the metal thin film, further analyzing the energy crosstalk in the dual-isotopes in order to remove energy contamination from the dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition for reconstructing the energy distribution charts without the energy crosstalk. ANNs are used to mimic the data processing method of a Biological Neural Network by software or hardware, using nonlinear transfer function to analyze a large amount of data from history events for solving problems. ANNs may be Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN)—Radial Basis Function Networks (RBFN)—Self-Organizing Map Neural Network (SOMNN) or Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), the present invention is not limited to the type of ANNs. ICA is a computational method for separating a multivariate signal into additive subcomponents. ICA is done by assuming that the subcomponents are non-Gaussian signals and statistically independent from each other. 
     Next,  FIG. 3  shows a Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) device including two collimators to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention. The SPECT device comprises a detector  301 , two collimators  303 , a metal thin film  305  and dual-isotopes  307 . The dual-isotopes are set between each of the collimators  303 . The metal thin film  305  is attached to half of the area of each collimator  303 . The detector  301  is set in the outer side of the collimator  303  for emitting lights to measure the energy distribution chart of the dual-isotopes  307 , and the detector  301  rotates around the dual-isotopes  307  to reconstruct the energy distribution chart without energy contamination by the equation A, equation B and equation C. 
       FIG. 4  shows a SPECT device including four collimators to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention. To elaborate, using two collimators and four collimators to measure the energy distribution of the dual-isotopes are similar technical means, in order to remove energy crosstalk by comparing the energy distribution chart with and without the metal thin film. 
     In addition, the SPECT device in  FIG. 4  comprises a detector  401 , four collimators  403 , a metal thin film  405  and dual-isotoes  407 . The dual-isotopes  407  are in the middle of the collimator  403 . Wherein the metal thin film  405  is attached to overall area of two of the four collimators  403 . The detector  401  is set in the outer side of the collimator  403  for emitting lights to measure the energy distribution chart of the dual-isotopes  407 , and the detector  401  rotates around the dual-isotopes  407  to reconstruct the energy distribution chart without energy contamination by the equation A, equation B and equation C. 
       FIG. 5  schematically shows a SPECT device includes pinhole collimators to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention. The SPECT device in  FIG. 5  comprises a detector  501 , four pinhole collimators  503 , a metal thin film  505  and dual-isotopes  507 . The dual-isotopes  507  are set in the middle of the four pinhole collimators  503 . Wherein the metal thin film  505  is attached to overall area of half of the four pinhole collimators  503 . The detector  501  is set in the outer side of the four pinhole collimators  503  for emitting lights to measure the energy distribution chart of the dual-isotopes  507 . In addition, the pinhole collimator is suitable for measuring lower energy isotope. The side view of the pinhole collimator is ladder-shaped, and the metal thin film  505  is attached to the shorter side of the pinhole collimator  503 . Then, the detector  501  rotates around the dual-isotopes  507  to measure the energy distribution chart without energy contamination by the equation A, equation B and equation C. 
       FIG. 6  shows a SPECT device includes rotating collimators to scan dual-isotopes in one embodiment of the present invention. The SPECT device comprises a plurality of detectors  601 , a plurality of collimators  603 , a plurality of metal thin films  605  and dual-isotopes  607 . The side view of the detectors  601  and the metal thin films  605  form a ring-shaped circle, to further elaborate, the detectors  601  and the collimators  603  is a concentric circle, and the dual-isotopes  607  are on the center point. Besides, the detectors  601  are set in the outer side of the collimators  603  to measure the energy distribution chart of the dual-isotopes  607 . The metal thin film  605  may be attached to half of the area of the ring-shaped circle of the collimators  603 , in other words, the metal thin films  605  may be attached to left semicircle or right semicircle of the collimators  603 . Alternatively, the metal thin film  605  may also be attached to half of the area of the collimator  603  at regular intervals. 
       FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of a SPECT device for correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition. The SPECT device  701  comprises a collimator  703 , a metal thin film  7031 , a detecting unit  705  and an analyzing unit  707 , wherein the metal thin film  7031  is attached to a partial area of an inner or outer side of the collimator  703  so as to compare the energy distribution charts with or without the metal thin film  7031 . The detecting unit  705  emits lights through the collimator  703  to measure the energy distribution charts of the dual-isotopes. The analyzing unit  707  is coupled to the detecting unit  705  for analyzing the energy distribution charts of the dual-isotopes in order to remove the energy crosstalk by the above-mentioned equation A, B, C, ANNs or ICA. 
       FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of a SPECT system for correction of energy crosstalk in dual-isotopes simultaneous acquisition. The SPECT system  801  comprises a collimator  803 , a metal thin film  8031 , a detecting unit  805 , an analyzing unit  807  and a display unit  809 , wherein the metal thin film  8031  is attached to a partial area of an inner orouter side of the collimator  803  so as to compare the energy distribution charts with or without the metal thin film  8031 . The detecting unit  805  emits lights through the collimator  803  to measure the energy distribution charts of the dual-isotopes. The analyzing unit  807  is coupled to the detecting unit  805 , and the display unit  809  analyzes the energy distribution charts of the dual-isotopes in order to remove the energy crosstalk by the above-mentioned equation A, B, C, ANNs or ICA, and afterwards, the display unit  809  shows the original energy distribution chart without energy contamination. 
     Thus, disclosure in accordance with present invention is related to a method, apparatus and system for analyzing the energy distribution chart with and without the metal thin film to rize the correction of energy crosstalk in DISA. Further, the material of the metal thin film is selected from a high atomic number because photoelectric effect requires photons in the high atomic number. Utilizing the equation A, B, C, ANNs or ICA to eliminate the energy crosstalk in order to reconstruct the original energy distribution chart, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the energy distribution chart of Tc-99m and I-123 has high energy crosstalk, so it is easier to remove the energy contamination of the dual-isotopes having lower energy crosstalk. The present invention effectively improves diagnostic imaging and relieves patient&#39;s discomfort. 
     The above-mentioned descriptions represent merely the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, without any intention to limit the scope of the present disclosure thereto. Various equivalent changes, alternations or modifications based on the claims of present disclosure are all consequently viewed as being embraced by the scope of the present disclosure.