System for whole body imaging and count profiling with a scintillation camera

Abstract

.[.The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for the radionuclide imaging of the whole body of a patient using a unmodified scintillation camera which permits a patient to be continuously moved under or over the stationary camera face along one axis at a time, parallel passes being made to increase the dimension of the other axis. The system includes a unique electrical circuit which makes it possible to digitally generate new matrix coordinates by summing the coordinates of a first fixed reference frame and the coordinates of a second moving reference frame..]. .Iadd.A method and apparatus for radio nuclide imaging of the whole body of a patient using an unmodified scintillation camera in which X and Y components of a fixed reference frame are cummulatively added to the X and Y components of a moving reference frame with a digital readout being multiplexed onto video tape. A scanning table is disclosed which permits a patient to be continuously moved with respect to the camera crystal along one axis at a time, parallel passes being made to increase the dimension of the other axis in such a manner that substantially all parts of the patient can be exposed to a portion of the camera crystal for an equal length of time. An electrical circuit is disclosed which simultaneously records and digitally sums the camera coordinates and the image points of the patient prior to display. Also an electronic circuit is disclosed in which the image producing area of a circular camera crystal is masked to a rectangular shape..Iaddend.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object that can be displayed in image form or in count profile form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism; said scintillation camera representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.at least one of .Iaddend.the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.of said scintillation detector in .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned .Iadd.in the one direction .Iaddend.by said scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said scintillation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct nonuniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in said scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals, received by said data processing mechanism are displayed in image form or in count profile form. 
     
     
       2. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein the first set of coordinates is represented in a fixed reference frame as analog signals. 
     
     
       3. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein the second set of coordinates is represented in a moving reference frame. 
     
     
       4. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein the first set of coordinates is expressed as a first set of analog signals and the second set of signals is expressed as a second set of analog signals, wherein the sense, magnitude and output impedance of the second set of signals match those of the first set of signals. 
     
     
       5. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic interface means digitally generates the sum of the first set of signals and the second set of signals. 
     
     
       6. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said scintillation camera is stationary and said motor mechanism moves said support means. 
     
     
       7. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said motor mechanism includes a first motor for moving said support means along the X axis and a second motor for moving said support means along the Y axis. 
     
     
       8. The system set forth in claim 1, and further comprising means for electronically synchronizing said electronic interface means with the relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means. 
     
     
       9. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said scintillation detector is masked to provide a rectangular area of view, the relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means being controlled by said motor mechanism to provide substantially an equal exposure time of all parts of the object viewed. 
     
     
       10. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said scintillation camera is positioned below said support means. 
     
     
       11. The system set forth in claim 1, and further comprising means for storing the information produced during the relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means and for displaying the stored information in count profile form or in image form. 
     
     
       12. A system for use with a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form, said system comprising means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.at least one of .Iaddend.the X and Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.of the scintillation detector in .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned .Iadd.in the one direction .Iaddend.by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and Y axes summed before display to correct nonuniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form. 
     
     
       13. A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along .[.both.]. .Iadd.at least one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable the entire object to be scanned .Iadd.in the one direction .Iaddend.by the scintillation detector, producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the display device for display thereby in image form or in count profile form. 
     
     
       14. The method set forth in claim .[.14.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., wherein the scintillation camera is stationary and the object is moved with respect thereto. 
     
     
       15. The method set forth in claim .[.14.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., wherein the object is positioned above the scintillation camera. 
     
     
       16. The method set forth in claim .[.14.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., wherein the first set of signals and the second set of signals are analog. 
     
     
       17. The method set forth in claim .[.14.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., wherein the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates are summed digitally. 
     
     
       18. The method set forth in claim .[.14.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., and further comprising masking the scintillation detector to provide a rectangular area of view and coordinating the relative movement between the object and the scintillation detector to provide substantially an equal exposure time for all parts of the object viewed. 
     
     
       19. A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object that can be displayed in visual form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism; said scintillation camera representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.at least one of .Iaddend.the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.of said scintillation detector in .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned .Iadd.in the one direction .Iaddend.by said scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said scintillation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct nonuniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in said scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by said data processing mechanism are displayed in visual form. 
     
     
       20. A system for use with a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be displayed on the display device in visual form, said system comprising means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.at least one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.of the scintillation detector in .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned .Iadd.in the one direction .Iaddend.by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals, over extended linear .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are displayed on the display device in visual form. 
     
     
       21. A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along .[.both.]. .Iadd.at least one .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable .Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.the entire object to be scanned .Iadd.in the one direction .Iaddend.by the scintillaton detector, producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals, and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the display device for display thereby in visual form. 
     
     
       22. A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object in digital form, said system comprising a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism; said scintillation camera representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals, means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.at least one of .Iaddend.the X and Y axes between said scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.of said scintillation detector in .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned .Iadd.in the one direction .Iaddend.by said scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said scintillation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes summed to correct nonuniformity, nonlinearity and edge distortion in said scintillation detector, the n sets of signals received by said data processing mechanism being displayed in digital form. 
     
     
       23. A system for use with a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be produced from the data processing mechanism in digitial form, said system comprising means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.at least one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes beig substantially greater than the .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.of the scintillation detector in .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned .Iadd.in the one direction .Iaddend.by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear .[.dimensions.]. .Iadd.dimension .Iaddend.along .[.both.]. .Iadd.the one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes summed to correct non-uniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are produced in digital form. 
     
     
       24. A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield and a data processing mechanism capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along .[.both.]. .Iadd.at least one of .Iaddend.the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable .Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.the entire object to be scanned .Iadd.in the one direction .Iaddend.by the scintillation detector, producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the data processing mechanism for production thereby in digital form. .Iadd. 25. In a system having a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along at least one of the X and Y axes between the scintillation detector and the support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimension of the scintillation detector in the one of the X and the Y axes to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction by the scintillation camera; mechanism for indicating relative movement between the support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; the improvement comprising electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to the movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from the movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and the support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct nonuniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form. .Iaddend..Iadd. 26. A system for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising a radiation detector and a data processing mechanism connected thereto, said radiation detector representing a radiation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended linear dimension along at least one of the X and Y axes between said radiation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the dimension of said radiation detector in the one of the X and Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction by said radiation detector mechanism for indicating relative movement between said support means and said radiation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said radiation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said radiation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes summed before display. .Iaddend..Iadd. 27. In a system having a radiation detector, a data processing mechanism; the radiation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension along at least one of the X and Y axes between the radiation detector and the support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimension of the radiation detector in the one of the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction by the radiation detector, mechanism for indicating relative movement between the support means and the radiation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; the improvement comprising electronic interfacing means coupled to the radiation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to the movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from the movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the radiation detector and the support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes summed before display. .Iaddend..Iadd. 28. In a system having a scintillation camera including a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object, the scintillation event being represented as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first signal that can be displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form; means for supporting thereon an object having a source of radiation therein; motor mechanism for providing a relative movement of extended linear dimension at least one of the X and Y axes between the scintillation detector and said support means, the extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimension of the scintillation detector in the one of the X and the Y axes to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned in the one direction by the scintillation camera; the improvement comprising mechanism for indicating relative movement between the support means and the scintillation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to the scintillation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the scintillation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended linear dimension along the one of the X and the Y axes summed before display to correct nonuniformity, non-linearity and edge distortion in the scintillation detector, whereby the n sets of signals received by the data processing mechanism are displayed on the display device in image form or in count profile form. .Iaddend..Iadd. 29. A method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object comprising providing a radiation detector, a data processing mechanism and a display device capable of representing a radiation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along at least one of the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the radiation detector to enable the substantially entire object to be scanned by the radiation detector in the one direction, producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the radiation detector; electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the radiation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation to produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the display device for display. .Iaddend..Iadd. 30. In a method for producing information on the distribution of a source of radiation in an object wherein there is provided a scintillation camera having a scintillation detector, a radiation shield, a data processing mechanism and a display device capable of representing a scintillation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; providing relative and extended linear movement along at least one of the X and the Y axes between an object having the source of radiation therein and the scintillation detector to enable substantially the entire object to be scanned by the scintillation detector in the one direction; the improvement comprising producing a signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector, electronically converting the signal indicating the relative position of the object being scanned and the scintillation detector into a second set of coordinates and summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals; and electronically replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals and continuing the operation the produce n sets of signals and transmitting the signals to the display device for display thereby in image form or in count profile form. .Iaddend..Iadd. 31. A system for producing information on the distribution of radiation emerging from an object comprising a radiation detector and a data processing mechanism connected thereto, said radiation detector representing a radiation event as a first set of coordinates in terms of a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object with radiation emerging therefrom; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended dimension to points on at least one of the X and Y axes between said radiation detector and said support means, the extended dimension to the points on the one of the X and Y axes being substantially greater than the dimension of said radiation detector in the one of the X and Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by said radiation detector mechanism in the one direction for indicating relative movement between said support means and said radiation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; and electronic interfacing means coupled to said radiation detector and to said data processing mechanism and to said movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from said movement indicating mechanism to a second set of coordinates and for summing the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates and converting the sum into a second set of signals and for replacing the first set of signals with the second set of signals, continued relative movement between said radiation detector and said support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of a signals over extended dimension to the points on the one of the X and the Y axes summed before display. .Iaddend..Iadd. 32. In a system having a radiation detector; a data processing mechanism; the radiation event being represented as a first set of signals; means for supporting thereon an object having radiation emerging therefrom; motor mechanism for providing relative movement of extended dimension to points on at least one of the X and Y axes between the radiation detector and the support means, the extended dimension to points on the one of the X and the Y axes being substantially greater than the dimension of the radiation detector in the one of the X and the Y direction to enable substantially the entire support means to be scanned by the radiation detector in the one direction, mechanism for indicating relative movement between the support means and the radiation detector and for producing a signal in response thereto; the improvement comprising electronic interfacing means coupled to the radiation detector and to the data processing mechanism and to the movement indicating mechanism for converting the signal from the movement indicating mechanism to a second set of signals and for electronically storing the first set of signals and the second set of signals, continued relative movement between the radiation detector and the support means with the object thereon resulting in n sets of signals over extended dimension to the points on the one of the X and the Y axes stored for display. .Iaddend.