Semiconductor radiation detector, positron emission tomography apparatus, semiconductor radiation detection apparatus, detector unit and nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

Each semiconductor radiation detector used for a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus (PET apparatus) is constructed with an anode electrode A facing a cathode electrode C sandwiching a CdTe semiconductor member S which generates charge through interaction with γ-rays. Then, a thickness t of the semiconductor member S sandwiched between these mutually facing anode electrode A and cathode electrode C is set to 0.2 to 2 mm. Furthermore, the devices are mounted (laid out) on substrates in such a way that the distance (distance of conductor) between the semiconductor radiation detector and an analog ASIC which processes the signal detected by this detector is shortened. Furthermore, the substrates on which the detectors are mounted are housed in a housing as a unit (detector unit).

1 - 55 . (canceled)  
   
   
       56 . A nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, comprising: 
 a support member; and    a plurality of detector units detachably mounted on said support member, said detector units having a housing member and a plurality of unit substrates detachably placed in said housing member,    wherein said unit substrates include a plurality of semiconductor radiation detectors to which radiation is input and an integrated circuit for processing radiation detection signals output from each of said semiconductor radiation detectors.    
   
   
       57 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 56 , further comprising a bed for laying an object to be examined, 
 wherein said plurality of detector units are arranged around said bed, and said semiconductor radiation detectors are placed near said bed and said integrated circuit is placed far from said bed in said unit substrates.    
   
   
       58 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 56 , further comprising a tomographic information creation apparatus for creating tomographic information using second information obtained based on first information output from said integrated circuit.  
   
   
       59 . A nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, comprising: 
 a support member; and    a plurality of detector units detachably mounted on said support member, said detector units having a housing member and a plurality of unit substrates detachably placed in said housing member,    wherein said unit substrates include a plurality of semiconductor radiation detectors to which radiation is input, an integrated circuit for processing radiation detection signals output from each of said semiconductor radiation detectors and a counting apparatus to which outputs from said integrated circuit are input for counting in pairs said outputs corresponding to a pair of radiation detection signals detected within a set time.    
   
   
       60 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 59 , further comprising a tomographic information creation apparatus for creating tomographic information using counting information output from said counting apparatus.  
   
   
       61 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein said unit substrates comprises a first substrate including said semiconductor radiation detectors and a second substrate including said integrated circuit.  
   
   
       62 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein said integrated circuit comprises: 
 an analog integrated circuit for processing signals output from said semiconductor radiation detectors;    an AD converter for converting analog signals output from said analog integrated circuit to digital signals; and    a digital integrated circuit to which signals from said AD converter are input.    
   
   
       63 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein said housing member comprises guide members for guiding said unit substrates into said housing member.  
   
   
       64 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein said housing member has light shielding properties.  
   
   
       65 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 62 , wherein said detector units comprise a separate integrated circuit to which information output from said digital integrated circuit is input.  
   
   
       66 . A positron emission tomography apparatus, comprising: 
 a support member; and    a plurality of detector units detachably mounted on said support member, said detector units having a housing member and a plurality of unit substrates detachably placed in said housing member,    wherein said unit substrates include a plurality of semiconductor radiation detectors to which radiation is input and an integrated circuit for processing radiation detection signals output from each of said semiconductor radiation detectors,    wherein said integrated circuit outputs time information of radiation detection and identification information of said semiconductor radiation detectors which detected radiation.    
   
   
       67 . The positron emission tomography apparatus according to  claim 66 , wherein said integrated circuit comprises: 
 an analog integrated circuit for processing signals output from said semiconductor radiation detectors;    an AD converter for converting analog signals output from said analog integrated circuit to digital signals; and    a digital integrated circuit to which signals from said AD converter are input.    
   
   
       68 . A detector unit, comprising: 
 a unit substrate including a plurality of semiconductor radiation detectors and an integrated circuit for processing signals output from said semiconductor radiation detectors, wherein said plurality of semiconductor radiation detectors comprises a plurality of signal lines for transmitting output signals from each of said semiconductor radiation detectors to said integrated circuit; and    a housing member for housing said plurality of semiconductor radiation detectors.    
   
   
       69 . The detector unit according to  claim 68 , wherein said housing member has light shielding properties.  
   
   
       70 . The detector unit according to  claim 68 , wherein said unit substrates comprise a first substrate including said semiconductor radiation detectors and a second substrate including said integrated circuit.  
   
   
       71 . The detector unit according to  claim 68 , wherein said integrated circuit comprises: 
 an analog integrated circuit for processing signals output from said semiconductor radiation detectors;    an AD converter for converting analog signals output from said analog integrated circuit to digital signals; and    a digital integrated circuit to which signals from said AD converter are input.    
   
   
       72 . The detector unit according to  claim 70 , wherein said first and second substrates are overlapped at end portions thereof and detachably connected with each other.  
   
   
       73 . The detector unit according to  claim 68 , wherein said semiconductor radiation detectors are arranged on both planes of said unit substrates.  
   
   
       74 . The detector unit according to  claim 70 , wherein said semiconductor radiation detectors are arranged on both planes of said first substrate.  
   
   
       75 . The detector unit according to  claim 71 , further comprising a separate integrated circuit placed in said housing member, to which information output from said digital integrated circuit is input.