Multi-dimensional image reconstruction

Abstract

Apparatus for radiation based imaging of a non-homogenous target area having distinguishable regions therein, comprises: an imaging unit configured to obtain radiation intensity data from a target region in the spatial dimensions and at least one other dimension, and an image four-dimension analysis unit analyzes the intensity data in the spatial dimension and said at least one other dimension in order to map the distinguishable regions. The system typically detects rates of change over time in signals from radiopharmaceuticals and uses the rates of change to identify the tissues. In a preferred embodiment, two or more radiopharmaceuticals are used, the results of one being used as a constraint on the other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of characterizing tissue, comprising:
 imaging a tissue using a first marker;   imaging the tissue using a second marker; and   characterizing the tissue by analyzing a difference between image data obtained from said imaging using a first marker and imaging using a second marker.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein imaging a tissue comprises generating a series of images of the tissue from different views. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein imaging a tissue comprises generating a series of images at different time intervals. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , analyzing a difference between image data obtained from said imaging using a first marker and imaging using a second marker comprises superimposing images obtained from said imaging a tissue using a first marker and imaging the tissue using a second marker. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein imaging a tissue using a first marker comprises identifying a region of interest in the tissue and wherein imaging the tissue using a second marker comprises imaging said region of interest. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , analyzing a difference between image data obtained from said imaging using a first marker and imaging using a second marker comprises constraining image date obtained from imaging using a second marker by image data obtained from imaging using a first marker. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising injecting a patient with said first and second marker simultaneously. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising injecting a patient with said first and second marker at different times. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein characterizing the tissue comprises identifying if the tissue is diseased or non-diseased. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein analyzing further classifying the image data of from each voxel based on correlation and assessing the most probable tissue classification for each voxel. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging is tuned according to expected photon count from said tissue. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first marker and second marker is analyzed for its kinetic properties. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising imaging the tissue using at least one additional marker and wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing a difference between image data obtained from said imaging using a first marker, imaging using a second marker and imaging using at least one additional marker. 
     
     
         14 . A system for characterizing tissue, the apparatus comprising:
 a first imager for imaging tissue using a first marker;   a second imager for imaging tissue using a second marker; and   an analyzing circuit for analyzing image date from said first and second imager and characterizing the imaged tissue based on said analysis.   
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said first and second imager are adapted to image tissue from different views. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said analyzing circuit analyzes image data obtained at different time intervals. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said analyzing circuit superimposes images obtained from said first imager and images obtained from said second imager. 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said analyzing circuit further analyzes image data obtainer from said first imager to identify a region of interest and wherein said second imager images said region of interest. 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said analyzing circuit constrains image data obtained from said second imager by image data obtained from said first imager. 
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said analyzing circuit identifies if said tissue is diseased or non-diseased. 
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein the system further comprises a library of patterns for different cell types and wherein said analyzing circuit classifies image data from voxels based on correlation for assessing a tissue classification for each voxel. 
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said analyzing circuit further tunes said first and second imager according to expected photon count from said tissue. 
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing the kinetic properties of at least one of said first and second marker. 
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 14 , further comprising at least one additional imager for imaging tissue using at least one additional marker and wherein said analyzing circuit analyzes image date from said first, second and at least one additional imager.