High resolution single photon emission computed tomography (spect) system

Abstract

A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system comprising: a rotating ring for surrounding anatomy which is to be imaged; at least one camera mount movably mounted to the rotating ring so that the camera mount can be moved radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating ring; and at least one gamma camera carried on the at least one camera mount, wherein the at least one gamma camera is focused on a single SPECT focal point; whereby, when the rotating ring is rotated about the anatomy which is to be imaged and the at least one camera mount is moved radially on the rotating ring, the single SPECT focal point of the at least one gamma camera carried by a camera mount follows a spiral pattern through the anatomy, whereby to produce a scan of the anatomy.

1 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system comprising:
 a rotating ring for surrounding anatomy which is to be imaged;   at least one camera mount movably mounted to the rotating ring so that the camera mount can be moved radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating ring; and   at least one gamma camera carried on the at least one camera mount, wherein the at least one gamma camera is focused on a single SPECT focal point;   whereby, when the rotating ring is rotated about the anatomy which is to be imaged and the at least one camera mount is moved radially on the rotating ring, the single SPECT focal point of the at least one gamma camera carried by a camera mount follows a spiral pattern through the anatomy, whereby to produce a scan of the anatomy.   
     
     
         2 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the anatomy and the rotating ring is moved longitudinally relative to the other during scanning, whereby to produce a volume scan of the anatomy. 
     
     
         3 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 2  wherein the rotating ring is moved longitudinally relative to the patient. 
     
     
         4 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 3  wherein the rotating ring is mounted to a frame, and further wherein the frame is moved along a surface using a continuous loop drive. 
     
     
         5 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 4  wherein the continuous loop drive comprises a pair of centipede belt drives. 
     
     
         6 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 2  wherein the patient is moved longitudinally relative to the rotating ring. 
     
     
         7 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 6  wherein the patient is moved relative to the rotating ring using a motorized bed. 
     
     
         8 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one gamma camera carried on the at least one camera mount comprises a collimator and a scintillation crystal and associated electronics. 
     
     
         9 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of gamma cameras are carried on the at least one camera mount, with the plurality of gamma cameras on that camera mount all being focused on a single SPECT focal point. 
     
     
         10 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of camera mounts are movably mounted on the rotating ring so that each camera mount can be moved radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating ring, and further wherein each of the plurality of camera mounts comprises at least one gamma camera focused on a single SPECT focal point for that camera mount. 
     
     
         11 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 10  wherein a plurality of gamma cameras are carried on each of the camera mounts, with the plurality of gamma cameras on a given camera mount all being focused on a single SPECT focal point for that camera mount. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 10  wherein at least three camera mounts are provided on the rotating ring. 
     
     
         15 . A high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one camera mount is moved relative to the rotating ring using a rotating screw and a ball nut fixed to the at least one camera mount and riding on the rotating screw. 
     
     
         16 . A method for imaging anatomy, the method comprising:
 providing a high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system comprising:   a rotating ring for surrounding anatomy which is to be imaged;   at least one camera mount movably mounted to the rotating ring so that the camera mount can be moved radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating ring; and   at least one gamma camera carried on the at least one camera mount, wherein the at least one gamma camera is focused on a single SPECT focal point; and   rotating the rotating ring about the anatomy which is to be imaged and moving the at least one camera mount radially on the rotating ring, so that the single SPECT focal point of the at least one gamma camera carried by a camera mount follows a spiral pattern through the anatomy, whereby to produce a scan of the anatomy.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein at least one of the anatomy and the rotating ring is moved longitudinally relative to the other during scanning, whereby to produce a volume scan of the anatomy. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the rotating ring is moved longitudinally relative to the patient. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the rotating ring is mounted to a frame, and further wherein the frame is moved along a surface using a continuous loop drive. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19  wherein the continuous loop drive comprises a pair of centipede belt drives. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the patient is moved longitudinally relative to the rotating ring. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein the patient is moved relative to the rotating ring using a motorized bed. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the at least one gamma camera carried on the at least one camera mount comprises a collimator and a scintillation crystal and associated electronics. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein a plurality of gamma cameras are carried on the at least one camera mount, with the plurality of gamma cameras on that camera mount all being focused on a single SPECT focal point. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein a plurality of camera mounts are movably mounted on the rotating ring so that each camera mount can be moved radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating ring, and further wherein each of the plurality of camera mounts comprises at least one gamma camera focused on a single SPECT focal point for that camera mount. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25  wherein a plurality of gamma cameras are carried on each of the camera mounts, with the plurality of gamma cameras on a given camera mount all being focused on a single SPECT focal point for that camera mount. 
     
     
         27 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method for imaging anatomy, the method comprising:
 providing at least one camera focused on a focal point; and   simultaneously moving, circumferentially and radially, the at least one camera relative to the anatomy so that the focal point follows a spiral pattern through the anatomy, whereby to produce a scan of the anatomy.