How does a Gamma Camera Work?
A gamma camera is a medical device that is used to view and analyze images of the human body. Simply put, a gamma camera can detect gamma rays and turn them into an image. It is commonly used to detect abnormalities in the human body and is therefore helpful in detecting and eliminating a number of medical problems.
The components making up the gamma camera typically include the collimator, detector crystal, photomultiplier tube array, position logic circuits, and the data analysis computer. The gamma ray is emitted by a radioactive isotope. It then exits the patient and reaches the camera. The path then continues in the following steps:
- Collimator – The gamma ray encounters the collimator so that only gamma rays travelling perpendicular to the face of the camera are detected. This dramatically sharpens the image and makes it clearer. The collimator is covered in holes and the thinner the holes are, the better the resolution will be.
- Crystal – The gamma ray then strikes the detector crystal. The crystal converts the gamma ray to light photons and gives off flashes of ultraviolet light.
- Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) – The photomultiplier tube converts the light photons to electrons. The electrons are then subjected to a series of increasingly high voltages creating more electrons. The electrons are then collected at the far end and generate a signal.
- Processing Equipment – The generated signal passes into the data analysis computer and processing equipment to be thoroughly analyzed by a specialist.
If you are considering upgrading or adding a gamma camera to your equipment, make sure to purchase a new or refurbished gamma camera through a qualified molecular imaging solution provider. They can often provide reliable warranties and dependable maintenance and repair services to ensure that your equipment is always in optimal running order.