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 including 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, a booster for boosting voltage and wirings for supplying voltage from said booster to 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 including 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, a booster for boosting voltage and wirings for supplying voltage from said booster to said semiconductor radiation detectors;    a counting apparatus to which outputs from said integrated circuit are input for counting in pairs said outputs corresponding to a pair of said radiation detection signals detected within a set time; and    a tomographic information creation apparatus for creating tomographic information using count information output from said counting apparatus.    
   
   
       60 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 56 , further comprising a plurality of unit substrates including a plurality of said semiconductor radiation detectors and said integrated circuit are detachably mounted on said detection units.  
   
   
       61 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein said detector units includes a housing member, a plurality of unit substrates detachably housed in said housing member and a booster placed in said housing member, 
 wherein said unit substrates comprise a plurality of said semiconductor radiation detectors and 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 62 , wherein said analog integrated circuit has function to amplify a signal, and said digital integrated circuit has function to determine a radiation detection time.  
   
   
       64 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein said unit substrates comprise a first substrate including said semiconductor radiation detectors and a second substrate including said integrated circuit.  
   
   
       65 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein said first and second substrates are detachably connected with each other.  
   
   
       66 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 65 , wherein said first and second substrates are connected so as to overlap to each other at end portions thereof.  
   
   
       67 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein said semiconductor radiation detectors are placed on both planes of said unit substrates.  
   
   
       68 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein said semiconductor radiation detectors are placed on both planes of said first substrate.  
   
   
       69 . The nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to  claim 56 , further comprising: 
 a rotation body; and    a bed for laying an object to be examined,    wherein said support member is placed on said rotation body.