A mobile tomographic gamma camera system for acute studies based on Ectomography

A mobile tomographic gamma camera system, called Cardiotom, has been developed for imaging the myocardium and other small organs. The Cardiotom system is based on a tomographic technique, Ectomography, which is a limited view angle method. Whereas in SPECT, the whole gamma camera detector is rotated around the long axis of the patient, Ectomography uses a rotating slant hole collimator (RSHC) and stationary detector to produce the projection images. This enables the ectomographic system to be implemented as a mobile system, as opposed to SPECT systems which are stationary installations. Furthermore, specially designed collimators, such as segmented collimators, can significantly increase system sensitivity. The mobility of the system and the fact that the examination requires no patient cooperation enable studies of myocardial perfusion in the critically ill patient, either in the intensive care unit or the emergency room. This is to be compared to a SPECT examination, where the patient must be placed on a narrow examination bed, holding one arm above the head. A mobile system can hence offer new possibilities in cardiological research and diagnosis.