Disclosed is a novel method of obtaining transmission scan data in a PET scanner by incorporating one or more stationary gamma-ray sources that provide forward scattered gamma-photons that can be used as transmission imaging radiation.

Disclosed is a novel method of obtaining transmission scan data in a PET scanner by incorporating one or more stationary gamma-ray sources that provide forward scattered gamma-photons that can be used as transmission imaging radiation.

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).

A method and system for generating a hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) scanner are disclosed herein. An imaging system receives, from the hybrid PET scanner, a first set of image data of an object corresponding to high-resolution, low-sensitivity image data. The imaging system receives, from the hybrid PET scanner, a second set of image data of the object corresponding to low-resolution, high-sensitivity image data. The imaging system converts the second set of image data from low-resolution, high-sensitivity image data to high-resolution, high-sensitivity image data. The imaging system combines the high-resolution, high-sensitivity image data with the high-resolution, low-sensitivity image data. The imaging system generates an image of an object based on the combined high-resolution, high-sensitivity image data and the high-resolution, low-sensitivity image data, or high-resolution, high-sensitivity image data only.

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).

A system includes a scintillator to receive radiation and to generate a plurality of light photons in response to reception of the radiation, a light sensor to receive light photons and to generate an electrical signal in response to reception of the light photon, and a processing unit. The processing unit is to receive the electrical signal from the light sensor, determine a first integral over a first number of samples of the electrical signal, determine an estimated energy of a first pulse based on the first integral, where the electrical signal includes the first pulse and a second pulse, where a portion of the second pulse overlaps a portion of the first pulse, determine a second integral over a second number of samples of the electrical signal, determine a second estimated energy of the first pulse over the second number of samples, determine a residual short integral of the second pulse based on the second integral and the second estimated energy, and determine an estimated energy of the second pulse based on the residual short integral of the second pulse.

An imaging system (102) includes a detector array (104) with a ring (106) with a first layer (110i) that detects gamma radiation and X-ray radiation and a second layer (110N) that detects only gamma radiation, wherein the first and second layers are concentric closed rings. A method includes detecting gamma radiation with a first layer of a dual layer detector in response to imaging in PET mode, detecting gamma radiation with a second layer of the dual layer detector in response to imaging in PET mode, and generating PET image data with the radiation detected with the first and second layers. The method further includes detecting X-ray radiation with the first layer in response to imaging in CT mode and generating CT image data the radiation detected with the first layer. The method further includes displaying the image data. The imaging system allows a single gantry for both PET/CT imaging.

An imaging system (102) includes a detector array (104) with a ring (106) with a first layer (110i) that detects gamma radiation and X-ray radiation and a second layer (110N) that detects only gamma radiation, wherein the first and second layers are concentric closed rings. A method includes detecting gamma radiation with a first layer of a dual layer detector in response to imaging in PET mode, detecting gamma radiation with a second layer of the dual layer detector in response to imaging in PET mode, and generating PET image data with the radiation detected with the first and second layers. The method further includes detecting X-ray radiation with the first layer in response to imaging in CT mode and generating CT image data the radiation detected with the first layer. The method further includes displaying the image data. The imaging system allows a single gantry for both PET/CT imaging.

Various embodiments of a device for in-vivo measurements radiopharmaceuticals used for diagnosis and radiotherapy is presented. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a scintillation device having a cannula that may include scintillation material and a delivery lumen, wherein the device may be used to both deliver material to the patient (e.g., deliver radiotracers used in radiopharmaceuticals) and measure levels of radioactive material in, for example, the patient's blood both during and after administration of the radioactive material. In some embodiments, particles emitted by the radioactive material interact with the scintillation material, resulting in the release of light that may be transmitted, via the scintillation material and/or fiber optic material, to one or more optical detectors or processors for processing. In some embodiments, particle absorbing materials may be used to reduce the effective measurement volume thereby measure only particles emitted from within a blood vessel of interest.