Gamma camera Flashcards
What are gamma rays
photons (high energy light). emitted from the NUCLEUS
What is gamma radiation?
electromagnetic radiation that has high enough energy to knock an electron out of orbit or more. Originates from the nucleus of an atom usually from radioactive decay
Are gamma rays the same as Xrays?
No. They appear like xrays at the same energy but xrays are produced by interactions with electron shells of atoms
What is the scintillator made of?
thallium doped Na I that produces light when stimulated by gamma or photons
What are the components of a gamma camera?
collimator crystal (scintillator) photomultiplier tubes
What is septal penetration
photon/gamma ray pass through the septum of the collimator and reaches the scintillation crystal at the wrong location
What factors influence septal penetration
energy of the incident gamma ray thickness of the septum
How do you increase gamma camera resolution?
Reduce the diameter of the hole in the septa or increase the length of the septa
increasing the length of the septa of a gamma camera collimator
increases the resolution
If the septa in a gamma camera are not thick enough, what artifact can happen?
star artifact aka, lots of septal penetration
How does star artifact happen?
septa are not thick enough and there is a lot of septal penetration
How do you reduce star artifact?
increase septal thickness
In a gamma camera, is thicker or thinner crystal more sensitive?
thicker
Does a thicker or thinner crystal in a gamma camera result in higher resolution?
Thinner
Why are collimators used in gamma cameras
to decrease scatter