Patent ID: 7723690

Claim:
A collimator assembly comprising: a first set of panels spaced at least partially around a longitudinal axis of the collimator assembly and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a second set of panels spaced at least partially around the longitudinal axis of the collimator assembly and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, said first set of panels and said second set of panels arranged in an alternating pattern, wherein the first set of panels and the second set of panels are arranged to define one or more slit apertures in the collimator assembly, wherein the collimator assembly is configured so that concurrent axial movement of at least one of the first set of panels or the second set of panels adjusts an aperture size of each of the one or more slit apertures, wherein gamma rays can pass though the one or more slit apertures, but the remainder of the collimator assembly is substantially gamma ray absorbent, and wherein the first set of panels are coupled to a top ring located at a first end of the collimator assembly and the second set of panels are coupled to a bottom ring located at a second end of the collimator assembly, wherein the first end is opposite the second end.