Image formation apparatus and method for nuclear imaging

Abstract

An image generating apparatus for image generation is provided. The image generating apparatus includes a movable detector for detecting nuclear radiation during a detection period and an evaluation system. The evaluation system includes an interface system for transmitting detector data to the evaluation system. The detector data include information about the detected radiation for image generation. The evaluation system further includes a data memory portion for storing the detector data. The evaluation system further includes a program memory portion with a program for repeatedly determining at least one quality value with respect to image generation during the detection period.

1 - 181 . (canceled) 
     
     
         182 . A method of image generation by an image generating apparatus, comprising:
 detecting nuclear radiation by means of a movable detector during a detection period;   collecting detector data for image generation by means of an evaluation system of the image generating apparatus,
 wherein the detector data contain information about the detected radiation; 
   repeatedly determining at least one quality value with respect to image generation from the collected detector data by means of the evaluation system during the detection period; and   outputting an instruction to a user for further moving the detector in dependence of the at least one determined quality value,
 wherein the instruction relates to at least a part of the remaining detection period. 
   
     
     
         183 . The method according to  claim 182 , wherein the detector is freely movable. 
     
     
         184 . The method according to  claim 182 , wherein the detector is a free-hand detector. 
     
     
         185 . The method according to  claim 182 , further comprising:
 continuously collecting detector data, for image generation, by means of the evaluation system of the image generating apparatus during the detection period.   
     
     
         186 . The method according to  claim 182 , further comprising:
 outputting the at least one determined quality value to a user.   
     
     
         187 . The method according to  claim 182 , further comprising:
 outputting an alert to a user if the at least one quality value does not reach a threshold value.   
     
     
         188 . The method according to  claim 182 , wherein outputting the instruction to the user for further moving the radiation detector comprises outputting of such a position and/or orientation of the detector which, if adopted by the detector, would most enhance image generation in relation to at least one quality value according to a prognosis. 
     
     
         189 . The method according to  claim 182 , wherein outputting the instruction to the user and/or outputting the at least one determined quality value to the user takes place on an output system with at least one output unit in visual, acoustical, or haptic form, or by combinations thereof. 
     
     
         190 . The method according to  claim 182 , further comprising:
 collecting body data by means of the evaluation system concerning respiration and/or heart beat of a living being, optionally comprising respiration frequency and heart beat frequency, and/or, optionally, body data comprising form, position and/or orientation of the body,
 wherein the body data with respect to respiration and/or heart beat are optionally synchronized with the body data with respect to form, position and/or orientation of the body; and 
   modifying an image generation rule on the basis of the collected body data.   
     
     
         191 . The method according to  claim 182 , further comprising:
 tracking data of medical instruments by means of a tracking system, and optionally generating an instrument image on the basis of the collected instrument data by means of the evaluation system; and   guiding the user, while using the medical instruments, by means of a guidance system on the basis of the instrument data.   
     
     
         192 . An image generating apparatus for image generation, comprising:
 a movable detector for detecting nuclear radiation during a detection period; and   an evaluation system comprising
 an interface system for transmitting detector data with information on the detected nuclear radiation for image generation to the evaluation system, 
 a data memory portion for storing the detector data, and 
 a program memory portion with a program for repeatedly determining at least one quality value with respect to image generation from the detector data during the detection period; 
   and wherein the image generating apparatus further comprises:   an output system comprising at least one output unit,
 wherein the at least one output unit is an output unit for outputting an instruction to a user for further moving the detector in dependence of the at least one determined quality value, wherein the instruction relates to at least a part of the remaining detection period. 
   
     
     
         193 . The image generating apparatus of  claim 192 , wherein the detector is freely movable. 
     
     
         194 . The image generating apparatus of  claim 192 , wherein the interface system is an interface system for continuously transmitting, for image generation, detector data to the evaluation system with information about the detected radiation and with information about the position and/or orientation of the detector. 
     
     
         195 . The image generating apparatus of  claim 192 , wherein the at least one output unit comprises one output unit for outputting of the at least one determined quality value to a user and/or for outputting an alert to a user if the at least one quality value does not fulfill at least one quality criterion. 
     
     
         196 . The image generating apparatus of  claim 192 , wherein the at least one output unit comprises one output unit for outputting such position and/or orientation of the detector that, if adopted by the detector, would most enhance image generation in relation to at least one quality value according to a prognosis. 
     
     
         197 . The image generating apparatus of  claim 192 , further comprising:
 a tracking system for gathering detector data about position and/or orientation of the detector,   wherein the tracking system comprises:   at least one sensor for gathering body data about respiration and/or heart beat of a living being, optionally comprising respiration frequency and/or heart beat frequency, and/or,   optionally a tracking unit for gathering body data of a living being comprising form, position and/or orientation of the body,   and wherein the evaluation system further comprises:   an optional program memory portion with a program for collecting the body data of the living being in synchronized manner, and   a program memory portion with a program for modifying an image generation rule on the basis of the collected body data.   
     
     
         198 . A method for image generation by means of an image generating apparatus, comprising:
 detecting radiation by means of a freely movable detector of the image generating apparatus during a detection period;   changing position and/or orientation of the detector during the detection period;   continuously collecting detector data, for image generation, by means of an evaluation system of the image generating apparatus during the detection period,
 wherein the detector data comprise information about the detected radiation and information about the position and/or orientation of the detector; and 
   determining at least one quality value from the collected detector data by means of the evaluation system.   
     
     
         199 . The method according to  claim 198 , wherein the detector is a free-hand detector. 
     
     
         200 . An image generating apparatus for image generation, comprising:
 a freely movable detector for detecting radiation during a detection period; and   an evaluation system, comprising:
 an interface system for continuously transmitting detector data to the evaluation system with information about the detected radiation and with information about the position and/or orientation of the detector for image generation during the detection period, 
 a data memory portion for storing detector data, and 
 a program memory portion with a program for determining at least one quality value with respect to the image generation from the detector data. 
   
     
     
         201 . The image generating apparatus according to  claim 200 , wherein the detector is a freehand detector.