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US4780823A
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Multiple pixel area-weighted acquisition system for scintillation cameras
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 1986-03-11
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Granted: 1988-10-25
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Expires: 2006-03-11
Abstract
Abstract Upon the detection of a scintillation event at an event pixel, a plurality of associated pixels are identified. Weights are assigned to the event pixel and to all of the associated pixels in such a manner as to attribute the event over an area in a statistically accurate manner. A current sum of all weights which have been previously assigned to each pixel is stored. Unblank signals are generated, based upon this current sum, and the current sum is updated to account for the number of unblank signals so generated.
Inventors
- 👤 Everett W. Stoub
- 👤 Raymond P. DeVito
- 👤 Anthony Del Medico
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1647; G01T1/1642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for converting information from a radiation detector into a useful form for implementing area-weighted acquisition in an imaging system which constructs an image from a multiplicity of image pixels, comprising: (a) means for identifying associated pixels which are to be affected by detection of an event at a particular event pixel; (b) means for assigning to the event pixel and to each of its associated pixels a weight, which weight represents an effect which the scintillation event should have thereupon to implement a particular desired area-weighted acquisition system; (c) means for storing in association with each pixel a current sum of all weights which have been previously assigned thereto; (d) means for generating image data based upon a current sum in said storing means; and (e) means for updating said current sum in accordance with the image data generated by said generating means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for converting information from a radiation detector into a useful form for implementing area-weighted acquisition in an imaging system which constructs an image from a multiplicity of image pixels, comprising: (a) means for identifying associated pixels which are to be affected by detection of an event at a particular event pixel; (b) means for assigning to the event pixel and to each of its associated pixels a weight, which weight represents an effect which the scintillation event should have thereupon to implement a particular desired area-weighted acquisition system; (c) means for storing in association with each pixel a current sum of all weights which have been previously assigned thereto; (d) means for generating image data based upon a current sum in said storing means; and (e) means for updating said current sum in accordance with the image data generated by said generating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said current sum is expressable as an integral component and a fractional component and said generating means generates a number of unblank signals which is equal to said integral component when said integral component is at least equal to one.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said updating means subtracts from said current sum the integral component thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said generating means operates in a manner that detection of a scintillation event at a particular pixel causes generation of unblank signals based upon the current sum associated with that pixel in said storing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said weight assigned by said assigning means is varied in dependence upon the event energy of the detected scintillation event.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 5, wherein a filter function is stored in a disconnectable non-volatile information storage medium and read into said assigning means to accomplish said variation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the information storage medium is a plug-in ROM.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1, wherein within a center domain of the image, twenty associated pixels are affected by detection of an event, at a particular event pixel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, further including a means for correcting event energy to compensate for characteristics of a particular detector crystal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-25 | 1992-04-25 | 1992-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-25 | 1996-04-25 | 1996-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-25 | 2000-04-25 | 2000-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |