For positron emission tomography (PET) detector gain stabilization despite temperature variation, an open loop gain control based on temperature establishes a baseline gain despite possible temperature variation. The baseline gain is then adjusted with a more sensitive closed-loop (e.g., peak tracking) approach for dealing with temperature. By combining both types of gain control to deal with temperature, the advantages of both are provided while avoiding disadvantages of either approach by itself.

[Problem] To provide a labeled fatty acid derivative for diagnostic imaging that enables the quantification of myocardial fatty acid metabolic activity. [Solution] The inventors, engaging in diligent research into methods that enable the quantification of fatty acid metabolic activity, discovered that a labeled fatty acid derivative represented by formula (1), in which [.sup.18F] has been substituted at a specific position of a long-chain carboxylic acid compound containing a sulfur atom, or a salt thereof, has good accumulation in the myocardium, and enables imaging of fatty acid metabolic activity via positron emission tomography (PET). Therefore, the labeled fatty acid derivative according to the present invention can be used as a radiotracer for swift and noninvasive quantification of myocardial fatty acid metabolic activity, diagnostic imaging of heart diseases such as ischemic heart disease, diagnostic imaging of the therapeutic effects yielded by a heart disease therapeutic agent, and so forth.

[Problem] To provide a labeled fatty acid derivative for diagnostic imaging that enables the quantification of myocardial fatty acid metabolic activity. [Solution] The inventors, engaging in diligent research into methods that enable the quantification of fatty acid metabolic activity, discovered that a labeled fatty acid derivative represented by formula (1), in which [.sup.18F] has been substituted at a specific position of a long-chain carboxylic acid compound containing a sulfur atom, or a salt thereof, has good accumulation in the myocardium, and enables imaging of fatty acid metabolic activity via positron emission tomography (PET). Therefore, the labeled fatty acid derivative according to the present invention can be used as a radiotracer for swift and noninvasive quantification of myocardial fatty acid metabolic activity, diagnostic imaging of heart diseases such as ischemic heart disease, diagnostic imaging of the therapeutic effects yielded by a heart disease therapeutic agent, and so forth.

A medical imaging device, such as a computed tomography device and/or a magnetic resonance device, includes at least one movable component. The at least one movable component can include a patient couch, and the medical image device can further include an operating device for controlling the operation of the at least one component. The operating device can include a touch-sensitive and force-sensitive interface (e.g. touchscreen display) having at least one touch sensor and at least one force sensor that measure the strength of a touch.

A medical imaging device, such as a computed tomography device and/or a magnetic resonance device, includes at least one movable component. The at least one movable component can include a patient couch, and the medical image device can further include an operating device for controlling the operation of the at least one component. The operating device can include a touch-sensitive and force-sensitive interface (e.g. touchscreen display) having at least one touch sensor and at least one force sensor that measure the strength of a touch.

A method of detecting radiation from a source and a radiation detection system embodying the principles of the method are described. The method comprises: positioning a detector to receive radiation from the source; applying a multiplexing transformation to radiation from the source to create complexity in three dimensions in the pattern of radiation from the source; receiving a plurality of responses each being a response to an interaction with incident radiation occurring within the detector; determining, for each of the plurality of responses, a characteristic of the interaction, wherein the characteristic comprises at least a position in three dimensions of the interaction within the detector; processing the said plurality of responses in accordance with the determined position in three dimensions of each interaction within the detector and drawing inferences therefrom regarding the pattern of radiation from the source.

Described is a directional gamma detector including a detection probe and a handgrip, wherein the detection probe includes: a supporting rod and a detection head coupled or integrated with a first end of the supporting rod. The detection head includes a plurality of detection elements distinct from each other for simultaneously detecting gamma rays directed in different directions and including at least one scintillation crystal and a corresponding first electronic conversion circuitry. Each detection element is associated with a respective collimator. The handgrip is equipped internally with a second electronic circuitry for converting the signals. The detection probe, and in particular a second end of the supporting rod, is reversibly connectable to the handgrip by a mechanical connector equipped with electrical contacts for transferring the signals from the first electronic conversion circuitry to the second electronic conversion circuitry.

Described is a directional gamma detector including a detection probe and a handgrip, wherein the detection probe includes: a supporting rod and a detection head coupled or integrated with a first end of the supporting rod. The detection head includes a plurality of detection elements distinct from each other for simultaneously detecting gamma rays directed in different directions and including at least one scintillation crystal and a corresponding first electronic conversion circuitry. Each detection element is associated with a respective collimator. The handgrip is equipped internally with a second electronic circuitry for converting the signals. The detection probe, and in particular a second end of the supporting rod, is reversibly connectable to the handgrip by a mechanical connector equipped with electrical contacts for transferring the signals from the first electronic conversion circuitry to the second electronic conversion circuitry.

An image processing apparatus includes search area calculation means for calculating a search area size on the basis of a pixel size of at least one image among a first image and a second image, position obtaining means for obtaining a position of interest on the first image and a correspondence position on the second image corresponding to the position of interest, search area setting means for setting a search area made up of the search area size in a surrounding of the correspondence position on the second image, and difference means for deciding a difference value corresponding to the position of interest on a basis of a density value of the position of interest on the first image and density values of a plurality of positions in the search area on the second image.

An image processing apparatus includes search area calculation means for calculating a search area size on the basis of a pixel size of at least one image among a first image and a second image, position obtaining means for obtaining a position of interest on the first image and a correspondence position on the second image corresponding to the position of interest, search area setting means for setting a search area made up of the search area size in a surrounding of the correspondence position on the second image, and difference means for deciding a difference value corresponding to the position of interest on a basis of a density value of the position of interest on the first image and density values of a plurality of positions in the search area on the second image.