KR20080095583A - Gamma ray and optical dual modality imaging instrumentation - Google Patents

Abstract

A gamma ray and optical dual modality imaging apparatus is provided to reduce loss of information and an image noise due to a noise signal when processing a gamma signal and an optical signal by forming a gamma signal processor and an optical signal processor separately. A gamma signal detector(10) detects a gamma ray from the outside and converts the gamma ray into an electric signal. A gamma signal processor(20) shapes and amplifies the electric signal transmitted from the gamma signal detector and converts the gamma signal to a digital signal. An optical signal detector(30) detects the light of a visible ray region from the outside and converts the light into the electric signal. An optical signal processor(40) converts the electric signal transmitted from the optical signal detector into the digital signal. An image processor(50) is connected to the gamma signal processor and the optical signal processor, receives the converted digital signal and outputs images generated by processing the digital signal respectively or at the same time.

Description

GAMMA RAY AND OPTICAL DUAL MODALITY IMAGING INSTRUMENTATION}

1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a gamma ray imaging apparatus having a conventional structure;

2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an optical imaging apparatus having a conventional structure;

3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the CCD camera shown in FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing a gamma ray and an optical dual imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a graph showing the magnitude of a gamma signal;

6 is a graph showing shaping time of a gamma signal;

7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a gamma ray optical dual imaging device.

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

10: gamma signal detector 20: gamma signal processor

30: optical signal detector 40: optical signal processor

50: image processor

The present invention relates to a gamma ray and an optical dual imaging device, and more particularly, by detecting light in a gamma ray and a visible ray zone at the same position, the difference in time and space in which light from the gamma ray and a visible ray zone is observed. The present invention relates to a gamma ray and an optical dual imaging device capable of minimizing biological phenomenon.

In general, a gamma ray imaging apparatus 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 a radioisotope ingested in a malignant tumor such as cancer is injected into a living body, radiation (gamma rays) generated in the radioisotope ingested in the malignant tumor is radiated, and thus the gamma rays emitted by the gamma ray imaging apparatus system. By detecting, a gamma image of a malignant tumor is obtained, and thus the location of the lesion can be diagnosed.

The gamma-ray imaging system, which is applied to the gamma-ray imaging system for diagnosing the location of a lesion, was the first nuclear medical device designed by Anger in 1958 at Donner Labs in the United States.

Collimator, Nal (Tl) crystal and photomultiplier tube, pulse height analyzer and microprocessor, Basic configurations such as full-body scan aids and computer systems are required.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, which is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a typical gamma ray imaging apparatus, the gamma ray imaging apparatus system 100 may detect a gamma ray flowing from the outside and convert the gamma ray imaging apparatus into visible light. After the amplification and shaping of the analog signal from the detector 110, the signal processor 120 for converting into a digital signal and the image processor 130 for outputting the image using the digitally converted signal.

The gamma signal detecting unit 110 converts the energy of the gamma ray incident by the collision with the crystal to the collimator 111 which collects only the gamma ray incident in a predetermined direction among the gamma rays incident from the outside, and converts the energy of the gamma ray into low energy. And a photoelectric conversion unit 113 for converting an optical signal incident from the scintillation crystal 112 into an electrical signal.

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.

When the examination for the purpose of identifying the biological phenomenon is completed by the gamma ray imaging apparatus, the subject is moved to the optical imaging apparatus for retesting if necessary.

In general, an optical imaging apparatus is used to identify a biological phenomenon as an imaging apparatus that detects light in a visible light region emitted from an in vivo light emitting material.

As shown in FIG. 2, which is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional optical imaging apparatus, the optical imaging apparatus includes an optical signal detector and an optical signal detector for detecting light from an external visible light region and converting the light into an electrical signal. Optical signal processing unit for converting the electrical signal received from the digital signal and an image processor for outputting the image using the digitally converted signal.

The optical signal detector includes a lens that collects light from an outside visible light region and a CCD camera converting light from the visible light region into an electron and converting the electron into an analog electric signal.

As shown in FIG. 3, which is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a conventional CCD camera, a CCD camera generates an electron in proportion to the amount of light in a visible light region collected from a lens, and electrons generated from each chip. A serial register serves to temporarily store the pre-amplifier and the integrator for calculating the amount of charge accumulated from the signal received from the pre-amplifier.

After acquiring an image signal representing a biological phenomenon with a gamma ray imaging apparatus system as described above, when the biological signal is re-observed with an optical imaging apparatus to obtain an image signal, a space difference and a time difference occur when a gamma ray image and an optical image are obtained. There is a limitation in that the biological state of the living body that occurs at time cannot be observed and the two images do not exactly match the observed position.

The object of the present invention devised in view of the above point is that the gamma ray image signal and the optical image signal can be obtained at the same location of the object at the same time or at short time intervals, thereby allowing accurate biological phenomenon identification to be made and An optical dual imaging device is provided.

In addition, by providing a gamma ray signal processing unit for detecting a gamma ray signal and an optical signal processing unit for detecting an optical signal independently of each other to provide an optimal signal processing method suitable for each image device to provide a gamma ray and an optical dual image device have.

A gamma ray and an optical dual imaging apparatus for achieving the object of the present invention as described above comprises a gamma signal detector for detecting a gamma ray flowing from the outside and converting it into an electrical signal; A gamma signal processor for shaping and amplifying the electric signal transmitted from the gamma signal detector and converting the electric signal into a digital signal; An optical signal detector for detecting light from the outside in the visible light band and converting the light into an electrical signal; An optical signal processor for converting the electrical signal transmitted from the optical signal detector into a digital signal; And an image processor connected to the gamma signal processor and the optical signal processor to receive the converted digital signal and output an image generated by processing the received digital signal. In addition, the gamma signal detector and the optical signal detector detects the light of the gamma ray and visible light region at the same time or respectively, and the image processor is characterized in that it is possible to output the generated image simultaneously or respectively.

Hereinafter, a gamma ray and an optical dual imager, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a gamma ray and an optical dual imager according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a graph showing the magnitude of a gamma signal, FIG. 6 is a graph showing a shaping time of a gamma signal, 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a gamma ray optical dual imaging device.

As shown in the drawing, a gamma ray and an optical dual imager include a gamma signal detector 10 for detecting a gamma ray introduced from the outside and converting the same into an electrical signal, and an analog signal from the gamma signal detector 10. After the amplification and shaping, the gamma signal processing unit 20 converts the optimized digital signal, the optical signal detection unit 30 for detecting visible light from the outside, and the analog signal from the optical signal detection unit 30. After the amplification and shaping, the digital signal connected to the optical signal processing unit 40 and the gamma signal processing unit 20 and the optical signal processing unit 40 to convert the converted digital signal into an optimized digital signal is received and received. And an image processor 50 to display and output the same.

The gamma signal detector 10 generally includes a collimator, a scintillation crystal, a photoelectric signal converter, and the like, and the optical signal detector 30 generally includes a lens and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. In general, the CCD camera has a structure including a CCD chip, a serial register, a preamplifier, and an integrator.

The gamma signal processor 20 may convert a gamma signal into an optimized digital signal, and may use a photomultiplier tube (PMT) or a semiconductor sensor, but a photomultiplier tube is preferably used. As shown in FIG. 4, the amplitude of the signal is 200 mV and 200 ns, and the amplification and shaping time of the gamma signal is 2 V and 1.5 Hz, as shown in FIG. By using a photomultiplier tube (PMT), a signal processing system suitable for gamma signals is provided. That is, an optimal gamma ray image may be generated by minimizing information loss or noise caused by a noise signal that may occur during signal processing.

The optical signal processing unit 40 is a device for converting an optical signal into an optimized digital signal, and can be used as a charge coupled device (CCD), a photomultiplier tube (PMT), and a CMOS. CCD) is preferably used, and for example, a signal processing system suitable for an optical signal is provided by using an analog-to-digital converter for converting an electrical signal transmitted from an optical signal detector into a digital signal. That is, to minimize the loss of information that may occur during the signal processing or the noise of the image due to the noise signal, such that the optimal optical image can be generated.

As shown in FIG. 7, the gamma ray and the optical dual imaging device are installed inside a dark box in which light is blocked, and are perpendicular to a flat base 1 installed at the bottom and one end of the base 1. A fixed vertical bar 2, a fixed bar 3 protruding at a right angle from the end of the fixed vertical bar 2, and an optical signal detector 30 formed at the end thereof, and a fixed vertical bar 2. Rotating bar (4) rotatably fixed to the part and rotated by the motor (4a), protruding at right angles from the end of the rotating member 4, the gamma signal detector 10 is formed at the end thereof (5), the movable vertical bar 6 which is slidably coupled to the other end of the base 1 along the longitudinal direction, and the movable vertical bar 6 is slidably coupled to the movable vertical bar 6 along the longitudinal direction It consists of a movable worktable (7) formed with a cradle for placing the shooting object The. The cradle of the movable worktable 7 is preferably made of a single so as to be able to shoot at the same time by placing one object to shoot as shown.

The optical signal detector 30 may be configured to be installed on the inner wall of the female box instead of the structure of the fixed bar 3, and the optical signal detector 30 and the gamma signal detector 10 are located at the same position. It is preferable to be installed so as to be positioned on the same vertical line so as to simultaneously shoot. In addition, the optical signal detection unit 30 is mounted to the fixed bar (3) to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the fixed bar (3) and the gamma signal detection unit 10 is rotated to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the rotary bar (5) It is preferably mounted on the bar 5.

The operation of the gamma ray and the optical dual imager, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, is as follows.

The movable vertical bar 6 slides along the longitudinal direction of the base 1 so that the photographing object placed on the holder is positioned at the photographing position between the optical signal detector 30 and the gamma signal detector 10, and the movable worktable 7 Slides along the longitudinal direction of the movable vertical bar (6). In addition, the motor 4a is driven to rotate the rotating member 4 to position the gamma signal detector 10 in contact with a position to be photographed.

In the above state, light is emitted from the gamma ray and the visible ray region by the radiopharmaceutical and the bioluminescent material injected into the object to be photographed.

The gamma signal detector 10 detects only gamma rays from the emitted gamma rays and visible light region, and the light in the visible ray region is prevented from being detected and passed by applying a black color to the front of the collimator constituting the gamma signal detector 10. . Gamma rays pass through the scintillation crystal and undergo energy conversion to convert light into visible light and photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric signal changing unit.

Then, the gamma signal processing unit 20 generates an optimal gamma ray image which minimizes image noise due to loss of information or a noise signal, and the gamma ray image is transmitted to the image processor 50 to output images such as malignant tumors. Will be.

In addition, the optical signal detector 30 detects only the light in the visible light region of the gamma rays and the visible light region emitted as described above. The light in the visible range is photoelectrically converted by the CCD chip and converted into an electrical signal through a series resistor, preamplifier and integrator. The converted electrical signal is converted into a digital signal by minimizing loss of information or image capture due to a noise signal while passing through the optical signal processor 40, and the digital signal is transmitted to the image processor 50 and output as an image.

As described above, since the gamma ray and the visible light generated in the photographing object can be simultaneously detected at the same position and simultaneously output, the biological state of the object can be recorded at the same time. Therefore, in observing changes in the state of an object such as blood flow changes over time, it is less affected by time and at the same time the gamma-ray image and the optical image are exactly matched with each other. It will be able to increase.

In addition, in the method for processing the gamma signal and the optical signal, the gamma signal processing unit 20 and the optical signal processing unit 40 are formed independently in accordance with each detector characteristic to process the gamma signal and the optical signal with one signal processing unit. In this case, it is possible to reduce image noise caused by loss of information or noise signal.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described specific preferred embodiments, and various modifications can be made by any person having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Of course, such changes will fall within the scope of the claims.

As described above, the gamma ray and the optical dual imaging apparatus according to the present invention can simultaneously detect and simultaneously output gamma rays and visible rays generated from an object at the same position, so that the biological phenomenon of the object can be recorded at the same time. It is possible to identify the biological phenomenon easily and accurately, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the observation.

In addition, the gamma signal processing unit and the optical signal processing unit are separately formed in accordance with the signal characteristics of the gamma signal and the optical signal, such as image noise due to loss of information or noise signal that may be generated when the gamma signal and the optical signal are processed. Since it can be reduced, there is an effect that the reliability of the captured image is improved.

Claims (8)

A gamma signal detector for detecting a gamma ray introduced from the outside and converting the gamma ray into an electric signal; A gamma signal processor for shaping and amplifying the electric signal transmitted from the gamma signal detector and converting the electric signal into a digital signal; An optical signal detector for detecting light from the outside in the visible light band and converting the light into an electrical signal; An optical signal processor for converting the electrical signal transmitted from the optical signal detector into a digital signal; And An image processor connected to the gamma signal processor and the optical signal processor to receive a converted digital signal and output an image generated by processing the received digital signal; Including And the gamma signal detector and the optical signal detector detect light at the same time or respectively in the gamma ray and visible light region, and the image processor can output the generated image simultaneously or separately. The gamma ray and optical dual imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein a charge coupled device (CCD) is used as the optical signal processor. The gamma ray and optical dual imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein a photomultiplier tube (PMT) is used as the gamma signal processor. One end portion has a fixed vertical bar vertically protruding base; A fixed bar protruding in one direction from an end of the fixed vertical bar and having an optical signal detector formed at an end thereof; A rotating member rotatably fixed to an intermediate portion of the fixed vertical bar and rotated by driving of a motor; A rotating bar protruding in the same direction as the fixing bar protruding from the rotating member and having a gamma signal detecting unit at an end thereof so as to be positioned on the same vertical line as the optical signal detecting unit; A movable vertical bar slidably coupled along the lengthwise direction to the other end portion of the base; And A movable worktable which is movably coupled along the longitudinal direction of the movable vertical bar and has a cradle for placing an object to be photographed at an end thereof; Gamma rays and optical dual imaging device, characterized in that it comprises a. 5. The gamma ray and optical dual imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the movable work bench has a single stand. The gamma ray and optical dual imaging apparatus of claim 4, wherein the optical signal detector and the gamma signal detector are installed inside a dark box to block external light so that external light is not detected. The gamma ray and optical dual imaging apparatus of claim 4, wherein the gamma signal detector is mounted to be transportable along the longitudinal direction of the rotation bar. 8. The gamma ray and optical dual imaging apparatus according to claim 4 or 7, wherein the optical signal detector is mounted to be transportable along the longitudinal direction of the fixed bar.

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