HIGH ENERGY RADIATION DETECTOR DEVICE

Abstract

In a device for capturing high energy radiation emitted from a radiation source within an examination object with a detector, the detector is arranged on a carriage mechanism that is mounted in a rotatable fashion around the examination object. The carriage mechanism is supported on a stand unit via a retaining mechanism, with an amplifier device being provided that amplifies the signals coming from the detector that are fed to the amplifier device via a signal guidance device. A data processing device is provided to process the amplified signals. By arranging the amplifier device and/or the data processing device essentially within the stand unit, a device is provided which can be flexibly utilized and which increases the patient's comfort during an examination.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a movable device for performing positron emission tomography.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a device that can be used as a positron emission tomography apparatus or a single photon emission computed tomograph apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a single photon emission computed tomography apparatus.

Claims

1. A device for capturing high energy radiation emitted from a radiation source within an examination object, comprising: a high energy radiation detector that detects high energy radiation emitted by a radiation source within an examination object, said detector emitting electrical signals corresponding to high energy radiation detected by the detector;a carriage mechanism to which said detector is mounted;a stand unit having a retaining mechanism engaging said carriage mechanism to rotate said detector mounted on said carriage mechanism around the examination object;an amplifier device that amplifies said signals from said detector;a signal guidance device that conveys said signals from said detector to said amplified device;a data processing device connected to said amplifier device that processes said signals amplified by said amplifier device; andat least one of said amplifier device and said data processing device being contained substantially within said stand unit

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said retaining mechanism comprises a guide unit connected to said carriage mechanism, and a signal coupling point between said guide unit and said carriage mechanism via which said signals are coupled between said guide unit and said carriage mechanism.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal guidance device is an optical waveguide.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said amplifier unit compensates for attenuation of said signal when guided through said optical waveguide.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said amplifier device is a photomultiplier.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said data processor determines a spatial representation of said radiation source within said examination object from said signals.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carriage mechanism comprises a mechanism selected from the group consisting of C-shaped mechanisms, U-shaped mechanisms, and L-shaped mechanisms.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high energy radiation detector is a first high radiation energy detector, and comprising a second high-energy radiation detector also mounted on said carriage mechanism, said first detector and said second detector being disposed opposite each other on said carriage mechanism.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stand unit comprises roller elements allowing mobility of said stand unit on a floor.