KR100765427B1 - Dual modality gamma and optical imaging system and processing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A gamma and optical imaging system for processing a gamma image and an optical image simultaneously or sequentially at a predetermined time interval, and a processing method thereof, comprising: a detector for detecting a gamma ray or visible ray from outside and a signal detected by the detector A gamma and optical imaging system comprising a signal processor for processing and an image processor for outputting an image using a signal processed by the signal processor, the signal processor comprising: signal separation means for separating a signal detected by the detector into two signals By the optical signal analysis means for analyzing and outputting the optical signal from the signal separated by the signal separation means, the gamma ray analysis means for analyzing and outputting the gamma ray signal from the signal separated by the signal separation means, by the optical signal analysis means and the gamma ray analysis means Multiple trigger means for triggering the analyzed optical signal and gamma rays, Each trigger the gamma rays and processing means for generating and displaying an optical image at the same time by the means I is provided.

According to such a gamma and optical imaging system and a processing method thereof, the effect of improving the accuracy in the experiment for a living body or the treatment or surgery of a patient is obtained.

Description

DUAL MODALITY GAMMA AND OPTICAL IMAGING SYSTEM AND PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF

1 is a schematic view showing a general gamma camera system;

2 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view schematically showing a structure of a collimator and a scintillation crystal according to the prior art;

3 is a perspective view illustrating a detection unit of a gamma and optical imaging system according to the present invention;

4 is a perspective view showing a flash crystal of an embodiment according to the invention,

5 is a circuit block diagram for simultaneously processing a gamma and an optical signal according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a circuit block diagram for processing gamma and optical signals with a time difference in accordance with the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

201: amplifier 202: signal separator

203: gamma ray signal analyzer 204: trigger signal generator

205: optical signal analyzer 207: digital signal converter

The present invention relates to a gamma and optical combined imaging system for processing a gamma image and an optical image, and a processing method thereof. In particular, a gamma and optical combined imaging system for processing a gamma image and an optical image simultaneously or sequentially at a predetermined time interval and It is about the processing method.

In general, a gamma camera system is used for diagnosing a disease or phenomena by detecting a gamma ray emitted from a radioisotope after injecting a drug containing a minute amount of radioisotopes into a living body. For example, when the radioisotope ingested in a malignant tumor such as cancer is injected into a living body, the radiation (gamma ray) generated in the radioisotope ingested in the malignant tumor is radiated, and thus the gamma ray is emitted by the gamma camera system. By detecting, a gamma image of the malignant tumor is obtained, thus enabling the diagnosis of the location of the lesion.

The gamma camera applied to the gamma camera system for diagnosing the location of a lesion is the first nuclear medical device designed by Anger in 1958 at Donner Laboratories in the United States.

Collimator, Nal (Tl) crystal and photomultiplier tube, pulse height analyzer and microprocessor, whole body to acquire and analyze images when radioisotope is captured by gamma camera Basic configurations such as scan aids and computer systems are required.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, which is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a typical gamma camera, the gamma camera system 100 detects a gamma ray flowing from the outside and converts it into visible light. After amplifying and shaping the analog signal from the 110, the signal processor 120 for converting the digital signal and the image processor 130 for outputting the image using the digitally converted signal.

The detection unit 110 generates an optical signal in the ultraviolet or visible ray band by converting the energy of the gamma ray incident by the collision with the crystal and the collimator 111 collecting only the gamma ray incident in a predetermined direction among the gamma rays incident from the outside into low energy. A flash crystal 112 and a photoelectric conversion unit 113 for converting an optical signal incident from the flash crystal 112 into an electrical signal.

The aiming unit 111 is composed of a material having a high attenuation ratio of gamma rays, for example, lead, and at least one pinhole or through hole 111a is disposed in a predetermined direction so that only the gamma rays in a predetermined direction indicated by arrows are incident as shown in FIG. 2A. It is formed parallel to. In addition, the upper surface 111b of the collimator 111 is coated in black so that only the gamma ray is incident by preventing the incident and passing of visible light.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the scintillation crystal 112 is a bonding surface coating layer 112a and a through hole 111a coated with white epoxy resin as a bonding surface or gamma ray incident surface with the collimator 111. The white side coating layer 112b is formed to prevent visible light incident through the light crystal from being incident on the scintillation crystal. That is, although high energy gamma rays pass through the coating layer 112a, relatively low energy visible light is comprised so that it may be interrupted by the coating layer 112a.

Therefore, visible light generated by energy conversion as the gamma ray passes through the scintillation crystal 112 is photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 113, and processed by the signal processor 120 and the image processor 130. Images of malignant tumors are obtained.

An example of a technique applied to such a system is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-51947, 2005-12518 and the like.

However, the technique disclosed in the above publication discloses the miniaturization of the gamma camera system or the efficient operation of the mechanical system, and has not disclosed any method of using both the gamma camera image and the optical image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, and to provide a gamma and optical combined imaging system and a processing method thereof capable of simultaneously processing a gamma image and an optical image generated by a gamma camera.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gamma and optical combined imaging system and a processing method thereof capable of sequentially processing a gamma image and an optical image generated by a gamma camera.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a gamma and optical combined imaging system capable of accurately imaging lesion positions and sizes by simultaneously or sequentially processing a gamma image and an optical image generated by a gamma camera, and a processing method thereof. will be.

In order to achieve the above object, a combined gamma and optical imaging system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a detector for detecting gamma rays or visible rays introduced from the outside, a signal processor for processing a signal detected by the detector, and a signal processor. A combined gamma and optical imaging system having an image processor for outputting an image by using a processed signal, comprising: an incident surface, an exit surface, and a side surface, and passing a gamma ray or light beam incident at a predetermined angle through the incident surface A collimator having at least one through-hole and a top surface, a side surface, and a bottom surface facing the emission surface, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface include transparently treated scintillation crystals.

In addition, in the gamma and optical imaging system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the scintillation crystal body is formed by combining a plurality of the scintillators as the joining surface.

In addition, in the gamma and optical imaging system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the aiming device is one of a multi-hole sighting machine, a needle-hole sighting machine, a focusing / diffusion type sighting device, or a mixture of sights of these types. do.

In the gamma and optical imaging system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the aiming device and the scintillation crystal body are composed of a rectangular, circular, elliptical or polygonal shape.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a combined gamma and optical imaging system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a detector that detects gamma rays or visible rays introduced from the outside, a signal processor that processes signals detected by the detector, and In a combined gamma and optical imaging system having an image processor for outputting an image using a signal processed by the signal processor, the signal processor comprises: signal separation means for separating the signal detected by the detector into two signals; Optical signal analyzing means for analyzing and outputting an optical signal from the signal separated by the separating means, gamma ray analyzing means for analyzing and outputting a gamma ray signal from the signal separated from the signal separating means, by the optical signal analyzing means and the gamma ray analyzing means A plurality of trigger means for triggering the analyzed optical signal and gamma rays, by the trigger means And processing means for simultaneously generating and displaying the gamma rays and the optical image that are each triggered.

Further, in the gamma and optical imaging system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gamma ray signal analyzing means and the optical signal analyzing means use different optical signal and gamma ray signal, respectively, and emit from the radioisotope. The optical signal and the gamma ray signal are separated from each other by performing a lower limit screening (LLD) and an upper limit screening (ULD) according to the energy of the gamma rays.

In the gamma and optical imaging system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the detection unit includes an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface, and the upper surface and the lower surface include a transparent crystallized scintillator.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a combined gamma and optical imaging system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a detector for detecting a gamma ray or visible ray introduced from the outside, a signal processor for processing a signal detected by the detector, and the signal. In a combined gamma and optical imaging system having an image processor for outputting an image using a signal processed by a processor, the signal processor analyzes and outputs an optical signal and a gamma ray signal from the signal detected by the detector, respectively. And gamma ray analyzing means, trigger means for triggering the optical signal and gamma ray analyzed by the optical signal and gamma ray analyzing means, and processing means for sequentially generating and displaying gamma rays and the optical image triggered by the trigger means. It features.

Further, in the gamma and optical imaging system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the optical signal and the gamma ray signal analysis means are different from each other in the magnitude of the optical signal and the gamma ray signal, It is characterized by separating the optical signal and the gamma ray signal by performing the lower limit screening (LLD) and the upper limit screening (ULD) for energy.

In the gamma and optical imaging system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the detection unit includes an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface, and the upper surface and the lower surface include a scintillation crystal having a transparent treatment.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a combined gamma and optical imaging system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a detector for detecting a gamma ray or visible light flowing from the outside, a signal processor for processing a signal detected by the detector, and the signal. In the method for processing a gamma and optical combined image with an image processor for outputting an image using the signal processed by the processor, a signal separation step of separating the signal detected by the detector into two signals, the signal separation step An optical signal analyzing step of analyzing and outputting an optical signal from the signal separated from the optical signal, a gamma ray analyzing step of analyzing and outputting a gamma ray signal from the signal separated from the signal separating step, and an optical signal analyzed by the optical signal analyzing step and the gamma ray analyzing step A plurality of trigger steps, each of which is triggered by the trigger step to trigger a signal and a gamma ray And a processing step of simultaneously generating and displaying a triggered gamma ray and an optical image.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, a combined gamma and optical imaging system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a detector for detecting a gamma ray or visible light flowing from the outside, a signal processor for processing a signal detected by the detector, and the signal. Claims [1] A method of processing a gamma and an optical image by using an image processor for outputting an image using a signal processed by a processor, comprising: an optical signal for analyzing and outputting an optical signal and a gamma ray signal from the signals detected by the detection unit; A gamma ray analysis step, a trigger step of triggering an optical signal and a gamma ray analyzed by the optical signal and the gamma ray analysis step, and a processing step of sequentially generating and displaying gamma rays and an optical image triggered by the triggering step. It is done.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the specification and the accompanying drawings.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the structure of this invention is demonstrated according to drawing.

In addition, in description of this invention, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part and the repeated description is abbreviate | omitted.

First, a basic configuration of a gamma and optical imaging system and a processing method thereof according to the present invention will be described.

That is, in the combined gamma and optical imaging system according to the present invention, the detector detects both gamma rays and visible rays flowing from the outside, and the signal processor converts the analog signals of the gamma rays and visible rays from the detector into digital signals. The digitally converted signal is used to process and output both the image detected by the gamma rays or the image detected by the visible rays.

Therefore, the combined gamma and optical imaging system according to the present invention includes a gamma image mode and an optical image mode, and in the gamma image mode, converts the gamma rays collected through a collimator into visible light wavelengths through scintillation crystals, and a photoelectric signal. A gamma image is generated by transforming, signal processing, and image processing. In the optical image mode, optical images are generated by photoelectric signal conversion, signal processing, and image processing by passing a scintillation crystal as it is through visible light collected through a sight.

Next, the structure of the detection part which concerns on this invention is demonstrated according to FIG.

3 is a perspective view illustrating a detection unit of a gamma and optical imaging system according to the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the detector includes a collimator 1111, a scintillation crystal 1112, and a photoelectric signal converter 1113.

In FIG. 3, the aiming unit 1111 is made of a material having a density sufficient to attenuate gamma rays, and has a structure having parallel through-holes 1111a for controlling the direction of radiation emitted from the radioisotope injected into the living body. Is shown. In the present invention, however, the through hole is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 3 as a multihole collimator, but is a pinhole collimator, a converging / diverging collimator or a collimator. You may use it in a suitable mixing form between them. That is, the aimer 1111 can be arbitrarily selected and used according to the width of the scanning position of the lesion.

In addition, although the aiming unit 1111 and the scintillation crystal 1112 are shown in rectangular shape in FIG. 3, the shape can also be comprised circularly, elliptical shape, or polygonal shape.

The scintillation crystal 1112 is for generating photons by radiation flowing from the collimator 1111. The material may be a crystal having good transparency such as Cs (Tl), CsI (Na), NaI (Tl), or the like. . Preferably, it is NaI (Tl) used for medical use.

The structure of the scintillation crystal 1112 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a flash crystal of an embodiment according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, in the present invention, the scintillation crystal 1112 includes an upper surface 11, a side surface 12, and a lower surface 13 facing the upper surface of the collimator 1111. The upper surface 11 and the lower surface 13 are transparent enough to allow visible light to pass therethrough, and the side surface 12 is optically processed.

In addition, a flash crystal of another structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4B.

In the scintillation crystal 2112 illustrated in FIG. 4B, the upper surface 2111a and the lower surface 2113a are transparently processed, and the individual scintillation crystals 2120 having the side surface 12a optically coupled to each other through the side surfaces 2112a. As a result, a single scintillation crystal 2112 is formed. Meanwhile, although the shape of the scintillation crystal 2120 illustrated in FIG. 4B is a rectangular shape, the shape of the scintillation crystal 2120 is not limited thereto, and may be formed in a circular, elliptical, or polygonal shape. In addition, the size can be varied depending on the multi-hole aimer, the needle-hole aimer, the focusing / diffusion type aiming machine or a suitable mixing type aiming device between them, or the output energy of a conventional camera.

In addition, in FIG. 3, the photoelectric conversion unit 1113 includes a photocathode portion 1131, a dynode chain portion 1132, and a grid portion 1133. Reference numeral 1134 of FIG. 3 denotes a power supply unit for supplying power required for the system according to the present invention.

The photo cathode portion 1131 receives the power V from the power supply 1134, and generates photoelectrons when photons are incident from the scintillation crystal 1112. The plurality of dynode chain parts 1132 sequentially amplify the photoelectrons applied from the photocathode part 1133.

The grid portion 1133 includes a horizontal lead portion, a vertical lead portion, and four photoelectron detectors 1133a and 1133b. Here, the lateral lead portion is a plurality of metal wires, both ends of which are connected to the photoelectron detection portion 1133a and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the lateral direction, and the longitudinal lead portion is connected to the optoelectronic detection portion 1133b and crosses the lateral lead portion in the longitudinal direction A plurality of metal wires are arranged at predetermined intervals.

Accordingly, the photoelectron detectors 1133a and 1133b output voltages corresponding to the optoelectronic signals applied at both ends of the transverse lead portion and the longitudinal lead portion, and each photoelectric signal detected by the photoelectron detectors 1133a and 1133b is amplified by the amplifier 1135. By amplifying the signal, the two-dimensional information corresponding to the optoelectronic signal, that is, longitudinal information (X +) (X-) and lateral information (Y +) (Y-) is output.

Next, the simultaneous processing of the gamma and the optical image signal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

5 is a circuit block diagram for simultaneously processing a gamma and an optical signal in accordance with the present invention.

In Fig. 5, reference numeral 200 denotes a signal photoelectrically converted by the photoelectron detectors 1133a and 1133b. This photoelectrically converted signal 200 represents, for example, longitudinal information (X +) (X−) and lateral information (Y +) (Y−), and includes information of light and gamma rays.

This photoelectrically converted signal 200 is amplified by an amplifier 201 and separated into two signals by a signal separator 202. That is, the signal separator 202 separates the <X +, X-, Y +, Y-> information signal and the <X +, X-, Y +, Y-> information signal for each channel.

Thereafter, the <X +, X-, Y +, Y-> information signal and the <X +, X-, Y +, Y-> information signal separated by the signal separator 200 are respectively the gamma ray signal analyzer 203 and the optical signal. It is input to the analyzer 205. The gamma ray signal analyzer 203 and the optical signal analyzer 205 use different magnitudes of the optical signal and the gamma ray signal, and use lower level discrimination (LLD) and upper limit screening for energy of gamma rays emitted from radioisotopes. Upper level discrimination (ULD) is used to separate the optical signal and the gamma ray signal.

The signal separated by the gamma ray signal analyzer 203 and the optical signal analyzer 205 into a gamma ray signal and an optical signal is transmitted to the trigger signal generators 204 and 206, respectively, and the respective trigger signal generators 204 and ( 206 generates a trigger signal for the optical signal and the gamma ray signal to determine the voltage waveform to be delivered to the image processor 130.

That is, each of the trigger signal generators 204 and 206 separates only the signal suitable for the trigger from the gamma ray signal and the optical signal analyzed by the gamma ray signal analyzer 203 and the optical signal analyzer 205 and then converts the digital signal converter ( 207).

On the other hand, the digital signal converter 207 also receives the signal amplified by the amplifier 201, and simultaneously receives the gamma ray signal and the optical signal triggered by the respective trigger signal generators 204 and 206 to gamma rays and light Simultaneously generates an image and outputs the image to the image processor 130.

Therefore, the image processor 130 simultaneously displays the gamma ray and the optical image in the image captured by the camera.

Next, the sequential processing of the gamma and optical video signal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

6 is a circuit block diagram for processing a gamma and optical signal with a time difference according to the present invention.

In Fig. 6, the photoelectrically converted signal 200 represents, for example, longitudinal information (X +) (X−) and lateral information (Y +) (Y−), and includes information of light and gamma rays.

The photoelectrically converted signal 200 is amplified by the amplifier 210, and the amplified signal is input to the light and gamma ray signal analyzer 211. The optical and gamma ray signal analyzer 211 uses a different magnitude of the optical signal and the gamma ray signal, and uses a lower level discrimination (LLD) and an upper level discrimination (LLD) suitable for the energy of gamma rays emitted from radioisotopes. ULD) to separate the optical signal and the gamma ray signal.

A signal separated by the optical and gamma ray signal analyzer 211 into the gamma ray signal and the optical signal is transmitted to the trigger signal generator 212, which triggers the optical signal to determine a voltage waveform to be transmitted to the image processor 130. Trigger signals are generated sequentially for the signal and the gamma ray signal.

 That is, the trigger signal generator 212 separates only the gamma ray signal analyzed by the optical and gamma ray signal analyzer 211 and the signal suitable for the trigger from the optical signal, and transmits the signal to the digital signal converter 207.

Meanwhile, the digital signal converter 207 also receives the signal amplified by the amplifier 201 and sequentially receives the gamma ray signal and the optical signal triggered by the trigger signal generator 212 to sequentially generate gamma rays and optical images. And output to the image processor 130.

Therefore, the image processor 130 sequentially displays gamma rays and optical images in the image captured by the camera.

That is, the image signal picked up by the camera is input to the image processor 130 including the monitor, so that the position of the lesion is graphically displayed simultaneously or sequentially on the screen according to a preset program.

As mentioned above, although the invention made by this inventor was demonstrated concretely according to the said Example, this invention is not limited to the said Example and can be variously changed in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

That is, in the above embodiment, an embodiment of a combined gamma and optical imaging system has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to means for simultaneously or sequentially displaying different types of video signals such as gamma and optical combined. Of course it can be realized.

As described above, according to the gamma and optical imaging system according to the present invention and a processing method thereof, a gamma and optical video camera capable of simultaneously processing a gamma image and an optical image by improving the structure of the aiming unit and the scintillator in the detection unit By providing a system, there is an effect that makes the device universal.

As described above, according to the gamma and optical imaging system and processing method thereof according to the present invention, since the gamma image and the optical image can be processed together and the processing results can be displayed simultaneously or sequentially, The effect is that it can improve its precision in the in vivo experiment or the treatment or surgery of the patient.

In addition, according to the gamma and optical imaging system according to the present invention, the gamma image and the optical image can be processed together, and the result of the processing can be displayed simultaneously or sequentially, thereby achieving the effect of generalizing the apparatus. .

Claims (12)

delete delete delete delete In the gamma and optical imaging system having a detection unit for detecting gamma rays or visible light flowing from the outside, a signal processing unit for processing the signal detected by the detection unit and an image processor for outputting the image using the signal processed by the signal processing unit In The signal processor Signal separation means for separating the signal detected by the detection unit into two signals, An optical signal analyzing means for analyzing and outputting an optical signal from the signal separated by the signal separating means; Gamma ray analyzing means for analyzing and outputting a gamma ray signal from the signal separated by the signal separating means; A plurality of trigger means for triggering the optical signal and gamma ray analyzed by the optical signal analyzing means and gamma ray analyzing means; Processing means for simultaneously generating and displaying gamma rays and optical images respectively triggered by the trigger means; The gamma ray signal analyzing means and the optical signal analyzing means use different magnitudes of the optical signal and the gamma ray signal, respectively, and set the lower limit screening (LLD) and the upper limit screening (ULD) according to the energy of the gamma rays emitted from the radioisotope. A combined gamma and optical imaging system, characterized by separating and imaging an optical signal and a gamma ray signal, respectively. delete The method of claim 5, And the detector comprises an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface, and the upper surface and the lower surface include a scintillation crystal that is transparently processed. In the gamma and optical imaging system having a detection unit for detecting gamma rays or visible light flowing from the outside, a signal processing unit for processing the signal detected by the detection unit and an image processor for outputting the image using the signal processed by the signal processing unit In The signal processor An optical signal and gamma ray analyzing means for analyzing and outputting an optical signal and a gamma ray signal from the signals detected by the detection unit, respectively; Trigger means for triggering the optical signal and gamma ray analyzed by the optical signal and gamma ray analyzing means; And a processing means for sequentially generating and displaying a gamma ray and an optical image triggered by the trigger means. The method of claim 8, The optical signal and gamma ray signal analyzing means uses a different magnitude of the optical signal and the gamma ray signal, and performs the lower limit screening (LLD) and the upper limit screening (ULD) according to the energy of the gamma ray emitted from the radioisotope. A combined gamma and optical imaging system characterized by separating signals. The method according to claim 8 or 9, And the detector comprises an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface, and the upper surface and the lower surface include a scintillation crystal that is transparently processed. A gamma and optical image processing apparatus includes a detector which detects gamma rays or visible rays introduced from the outside, a signal processor that processes the signals detected by the detector, and an image processor that outputs the images using the signals processed by the signal processor. In the way, A signal separation step of separating the signal detected by the detection unit into two signals, An optical signal analysis step of analyzing and outputting an optical signal from the signal separated in the signal separation step; A gamma ray analysis step of analyzing and outputting a gamma ray signal from the signal separated in the signal separation step, A plurality of trigger steps for triggering the optical signal and gamma ray analyzed by the optical signal analysis step and the gamma ray analysis step, And a processing step of simultaneously generating and displaying a gamma ray and an optical image respectively triggered by the triggering step. A gamma and optical image processing apparatus includes a detector which detects gamma rays or visible rays introduced from the outside, a signal processor that processes the signals detected by the detector, and an image processor that outputs the images using the signals processed by the signal processor. In the way, An optical signal and a gamma ray analyzing step of analyzing and outputting an optical signal and a gamma ray signal from the signals detected by the detection unit, respectively; A trigger step of triggering the optical signal and gamma ray analyzed by the optical signal and gamma ray analyzing step, And a processing step of sequentially generating and displaying a gamma ray and an optical image triggered by the triggering step.

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