The invention relates to a combined detector (660) comprising a gamma radiation detector (100) and an X-ray radiation detector (661). The gamma radiation detector (100) comprises a gamma scintillator array (101.sub.x, y), an optical modulator (102) and a first photodetector array (103.sub.a, b) for detecting the first scintillation light generated by the gamma scintillator array (101.sub.x, y). The optical modulator (102) is disposed between the gamma scintillator array (101.sub.x, y) and the first photodetector array (103.sub.a, b) for modulating a transmission of the first scintillation light between the gamma scintillator array (101.sub.x, y) and the first photodetector array (103.sub.a, b). The optical modulator (102) comprises at least one optical modulator pixel having a cross sectional area (102′) in a plane that is perpendicular to the gamma radiation receiving direction (104). The cross sectional area of each optical modulator pixel (102′) is greater than or equal to the cross sectional area of each photodetector pixel (103′.sub.a, b).

There is a need for routine radon screening of homes, especially in states which require radon screening prior to sale, that are compact, inexpensive, do not require a professional to operate, and which, further, can yield a significant measurement in hours or minutes rather than days. The present invention provides for a combination of control of entry of radon by adjusting the separation between and the area of a multi-element shell, into a measuring chamber while excluding light and extraneous particulate material. This permits a design with a faster response time and also provides for the accurate measurement of individual scintillation events in a scintillating medium by imaging of, and discriminating specific energy levels related to the known energies of alpha particles emitted in the decay pathway of radon. This discrimination functions as an alpha-particle spectrometer and will. Thus, other background radioactive disintegrations or cosmic ray events will be filtered out of the signal. The invention will make use of the optics and imaging arrays as are in state-of-the-art mobile phone cameras. Use of camera components of mobile phones will permit cost savings since they are already in very large-scale production.

A mechanical collimator receives particles from a gamma radiation emission source and/or neutron emission source, a material that absorbs neutrons and is virtually transparent to gamma radiation A first detector includes a scintillator crystal with neutron-gamma discrimination capability and a position-sensitive photosensor, coupled to the mechanical collimator. One or more detector blocks have scintillator crystals of gamma or neutron-gamma radiation and position-sensitive photosensors, after the first detector, on a face opposite the mechanical collimator. A processing and acquisition module is connected to the detectors The device is suitable for use in inspections relating to nuclear safety, port safety, nuclear threats and accidents, and hadron-therapy treatments and nuclear medicine.

A nuclear medicine infusion system (10) may be used to generate and infuse radioactive liquid into a patient undergoing a diagnostic imaging procedure. In some examples, the infusion system includes a frame (30) that carries a radioisotope generator (52) that generates radioactive eluate via elution. The frame may also carry a beta detector (58) and a gamma detector (60). The beta detector can be positioned to measure beta emissions emitted from the radioactive eluate supplied by the generator. The gamma detector can be positioned to measure gamma emissions emitted from a portion of the radioactive eluate to evaluate a safety of the radioactive eluate delivered by the infusion system.

Polarized nuclear imaging and spectroscopy systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, nuclei of a radioactive substance are polarized such that the spins of the nuclei are oriented in a specific direction, to generate a polarized radioactive tracer with anisotropic gamma ray emission. The radioactive substance is selected such that the degree of anisotropy is enhanced. A tracer is introduced into a living subject for delivery to a target area of interest in the subject. The tracer is delivered such that nuclear spin relaxation of the tracer is inhibited during transport of the tracer to the target area of interest. Gamma rays from the gamma ray emission are detected, and based on the detected gamma rays and properties associated with the anisotropic gamma ray emission, imaging data and/or spectroscopic data are obtained that are associated with the tracer in the subject. In some embodiments, a radioactive substance is delivered to a target area of interest in the subject and the nuclei of the radioactive substance are polarized following delivery of the radioactive substance to the target area of interest, such that the spins of the nuclei are oriented in a specific direction, to generate a polarized radioactive tracer with anisotropic gamma ray emission. Gamma rays are detected from the gamma ray emission, and based on the detected gamma rays and properties associated with the anisotropic gamma ray emission, imaging data and/or spectroscopic data are obtained that are associated with the tracer in the subject.

To optimize an image quality and/or a sensitivity, a Compton camera is adaptable. A scatter detector and/or a catcher detector may move closer to and/or further away from a patient and/or each other. This adaptation allows a balancing of the image quality and the sensitivity by altering the geometry.

Methods and systems for establishing a kinetic model input function (IF) in positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography are provided. A position of interaction along a scintillating fiber coil is determined by: detecting a first plurality and second plurality of photons at first and second ends of the scintillating fiber coil; associating the first plurality of photons and the second plurality of photons with the interaction event based on a timing parameter; and determining a position of interaction for the interaction event based on a comparison between a first parameter of the first plurality of photons and a second parameter of the photons in the second plurality of photons.

The invention detects massive particles, which are invisible to contemporary particle detectors employing electro-magnetic sensors. The apparatus contains a mechanical sensor detecting massive particles via their influence on mechanical motion of sensor constituent atoms causing changes in sensor characteristics. The apparatus may include said sensor made of crystal or condensed-matter attached as a bob at the end of a pendulum that starts swinging when massive particles hit it. The star-source emitting massive particles is located by finding a space direction from which the particles arrive and produce the changes in said sensor position and physical characteristics. Energy is harvested by using changes in sensor energetic characteristics including mechanical motion, electromagnetic potential, thermal or other reactions. The invented sensor has directly detected massive particles from the Sun, central region of our Galaxy, and the star Deneb. The average mass-energy of solar massive particles is 3.1.sub.−1.sup.+1.2×10.sup.15 eV and mass-energy density near Earth ˜0.78 GeV/cm.sup.3.

An N-M tomography system comprising: a carrier for the subject of an examination procedure; a plurality of detector heads; a carrier for the detector heads; and a detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads during performance of a scan without interference or collision between adjacent detector heads to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination. Additionally, collimated detectors providing variable spatial resolution for SPECT imaging and which can also be used for PET imaging, whereby one set of detectors can be selectably used for either modality, or for both simultaneously.

An N-M tomography system comprising: a carrier for the subject of an examination procedure; a plurality of detector heads; a carrier for the detector heads; and a detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads during performance of a scan without interference or collision between adjacent detector heads to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination. Additionally, collimated detectors providing variable spatial resolution for SPECT imaging and which can also be used for PET imaging, whereby one set of detectors can be selectably used for either modality, or for both simultaneously.