Kenichi Okajima

Transient brain activity used in magnetic resonance imaging to detect functional areas.

FUNCTIONAL areas were detected with short stimuli eliciting transient brain activity using the method of ‘transient’ regions of interest (ROIs) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This method was validated by comparing the results with sustainedly activated areas identified conventionally. Eighty-eight and 89% of the total areas of transient ROIs derived from 0.2 and 2 s stimulation, respectively, were identified at 5–7 s and 5–9 s, respectively, after stimulus onset. Eighty-eight and 76%, respectively, of these areas overlapped ‘conventional’ ROIs derived from 20 s stimulation. These results suggest that the delineation of transient ROIs, by targeting a period ∼7 s after transient neural activity, can be useful for fMRI studies of cognitive functions.

Characteristics of a gamma-ray detector using a bismuth germanate scintillator

Characteristics of a gamma‐ray detector that utilizes a 24×24×15‐mm3 bismuth germanate (BGO) scintillator are measured. Fluorescent light output measured with a BGO crystal coupled to a R1306 photomultiplier (Hamamatsu TV) is found to be 15% that of a NaI(T1) scintillator for incident photons of a given energy. The FWHM of the time spectrum, measured with two BGO crystals coupled to R329‐2 photomultipliers, is equal to 2.0 ns for a 68Ge–68Ga source at room temperature.

Performance Study of Whole-Body, Multislice Positron Computed Tomograph POSITOLOGICA-II

A 3-detector ring, 5-slice whole-body positron CT has been developed and is being tested. The PCT, POSITOLOGICA-II, has a total of 480 BGOs (160/ring), and employs continuous rotation scan (0.5rps). By using a 15mm wide BGO, a 9.2mm FWHM spatial resolution for reconstructed image is obtained at the center of FOV. Measured phantom diameter dependence of the true count rate shows good agreement with theoretically anticipated characteristics, including maximum sensitivity at around 30cm dia. Sensitivities for 20cm dia. phantom are 28 and 38 kcps/¿Ci/ml for in-plane and cross-plane, respectively, including scattered coincidences. Relative system detection efficiency measured with a line source at FOV center is 96% at 15ns time window (90% at 12ns), basing on 100% efficiency in 20-24ns.

Laser‐stimulable transparent CsI:Na film for a high quality x‐ray imaging sensor

Transparent films, which can be stimulated by laser beams after x‐ray irradiation, have been searched to improve the spatial resolution of digital x‐ray imaging sensors. As a result, evaporated CsI:Na films are found to be efficiently laser stimulable around 77 K. The modulation transfer function (MTF) of the film is evaluated using a scanning Ga1−xAlxAs semiconductor laser. The high MTF value (57% at 2 1p/mm), strong x‐ray absorption, and high stimulation efficiency of the film ensure a high quality sensor for digital radiography.

Evaluation of Slice Shield Collimators for Multi-Layer Positron Emission Computed Tomographs

Evaluation of slice shield collimators is carried out using theoretical event rate formulas. This approach permits calculation of system performance in terms of sensitivity, scatter fraction, and high-counting rate characteristics. Electronics counting efficiency is also taken into account. A rational approach to optimal design is presented along with design examples. Effectiveness of collimator replacement is suggested. A system using sub-collimator with relatively small detector ring radius is proposed. It achieves a level of performance similar to that of a conventional collimator system with large ring radius.

A New Method of Adjusting Bias Currents of Neuromagnetometers

In this paper, a new method of adjusting the bias current of a SQUID is proposed. The bias current can be adjusted to the optimum value which maximizes the SNR by measuring the second harmonic of the output signal of the SQUID.

Automatic adjustment of bias current for direct current superconducting quantum interference device

A new method of adjusting the bias current of dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is described. It is shown that the signal‐to‐noise ratio of a SQUID magnetometer connected in a flux‐locked loop configuration is proportional to the second harmonic of the output signal from the SQUID. A circuit configuration that can automatically optimize a SQUID’s bias current by measuring this second harmonic and adjusting the bias current accordingly is proposed.

MO-D-330A-06: Development of the X-Ray Detector with Sequential Readout Circuits for Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography

Purpose: To develop a low‐cost X‐ray detector with sequential readout circuits, to realize enough low noise for multidetector‐row computed tomography(MDCT), and to evaluate image quality. Method and Materials: We have developed an X‐ray detector that has a MOS‐switch for each pixel, connects many pixels of a common column with the electric readout circuit, and outputs the signals of these pixels from one circuit by turning on lines of switches in order. It has fewer readout circuits than a conventional MDCT detector, but new design is necessary to realize enough low noise for MDCT. First, to make the required noise specific, we simulated the relation of the detectornoise and imagenoise (simulation(A)). Second, to consider how to realize it, we simulated the detectornoise with the circuit noise model (simulation(B)). Third, we constructed the detector in order to evaluate its noise. Last, we developed a test CTsystem with these detectors to evaluate imagenoise with phantoms. Results: The result of the simulation(A) indicated that detectornoise had to be less than about 10‐k rms electrons, and we found to be able to achieve it by optimizing the circuit parameters of the low pass filter and the data line as a result of the simulation(B). We constructed the detectors with these parameters to evaluate these noise, and it turned out that it was about 10.5‐k rms electrons and the required noise was achieved. Moreover, the result to evaluate the noise from images with phantoms indicated that the main was X‐ray quantum noise and the detectornoise was low enough to be ignored when the object was a cylindrical water‐filled phantom less than about 30 cm in diameter and the slice thickness of the images was 0.625 mm. Conclusion: We developed a low‐noise X‐ray detector with sequential readout circuits for MDCT.

Method using a Monte Carlo simulation database for optimizing x-ray fluoroscopic conditions

To improve image quality (IQ) and reduce dose in x-ray fluoroscopy, we have developed a new method for optimizing x-ray conditions such as x-ray tube voltage, tube current, and gain of the detector. This method uses a Monte Carlo (MC)-simulation database for analyzing the relations between IQ, x-ray dose, and x-ray conditions. The optimization consists of three steps. First, a permissible dose limit for each object thickness is preset. Then, the MC database is used to calculate the IQ of x-ray projections under all the available conditions that satisfy this presetting. Finally, the optimum conditions are determined as the ones that provide the highest IQ. The MC database contains projections of an estimation phantom simulated under emissions of single-energy photons with various energies. By composing these single-energy projections according to the bremsstrahlung energy distributions, the IQs under any x-ray conditions can be calculated in a very short time. These calculations show that the optimum conditions are determined by the relation between quantum noise and scattering. Moreover, the heat-capacity limit of the x-ray tube can also determine the optimum conditions. It is concluded that the developed optimization method can reduce the time and cost of designing x-ray fluoroscopic systems.