An improved uptake probe designed for a large crystal rectilinear scanner.

Abstract

Stationary probes are frequently used to estimate the uptake of radionuclides in particular organs such as the liver, spleen, heart or thyroid. Conventional probes have both a non-uniform response volume along the detector axis and a large diverging field of view. Therefore the sensitivity of these probes is strongly dependent on organ depth and the extent of the activity in the surrounding tissues. This paper describes a focused probe which can be used to give an improved response relative to organ depth and reduces the effect of the surrounding activity. Phantom measurements suggest that under suitable circumstances the probe could be used to measure absolute organ activity.