Digital Printout System for Whole Body Scanner

A scintillation scanner has been developed for large-area mapping of high-energy gamma emitting radioisotope distributions in a patient undergoing metabolic studies. An unusual method of operation uses a solenoid-operated electric typewriter as a digital plotter. A three-figure entry of the count observed at each position of the stepwise scan pattern is typed with a decimal point locator to allow five-figure dynamic range. Three numeric type alphabets are incorporated to print each entry without carriage advance. The platen and carriage are synchro motor driven by the scanner. Scan index spacing down to 3/16 inch are possible over 24-inch maximum scan widths. The complete scan is a full-scale quantitative planar map in the form of a matrix through which isocount contours may be located by inspection. The electronic system necessary to accomplish this is described in detail.