Development of novel low-cost readout electronics for large field-of-view gamma camera detectors.

Purpose: Large scintillation crystals-based gamma cameras play a crucial role in nuclear medicine imaging. In this study, a large field-of-view (FOV) gamma detector consisting of 48 square PMTs developed using a new readout electronics, reducing 48 (6 × 8) analog signals to 14 (6 + 8) analog sums of each row and column, with reduced complexity and cost while preserving image quality.

Methods: All 14 analog signals were converted to digital signals using AD9257 high-speed analog to digital (ADC) converters driven by the SPARTAN-6 family of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) in order to calculate the signal integrals.

Development and characterization of an all-in-one gamma probe with auto-peak detection for sentinel lymph node biopsy based on NEMA NU3-2004 standard.

Background: A gamma probe is a handheld device used for intraoperative interventions following interstitial injection of a radiotracer to locate regional lymph nodes through the external detection of radiation. This work reports on the design and performance evaluation of a novel fully integrated gamma probe (GammaPen), recently developed by our group.

Materials And Methods: GammaPen is an all-in-one pocket gamma probe with low weight and adequate dimensions, consisting of a detector, a control unit and output all together.