Compact Gamma Camera

The Compact Gamma Camera for high-resolution imaging from Brookhaven National Laboratory and Hybridyne Imaging Technologies is a nuclear medical probe to localize cancerous tissue in the prostate gland. This system utilizes a compact high-resolution cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe or CZT) detector array coupled to low-noise pulse processing electronics, and high performance image acquisition software. It combines the high-resolution capability of cryogenically cooled semiconductors, with the ambient-temperature operation capability of scintillators.

The radiation sensor relies on a crystalline material, CZT. When struck by an incident X- or gamma-ray, a tiny current pulse is generated in the crystal that can be measured with an electronic readout circuit.

Integrating the detectors and electronics into a trans-rectal probe, minimizes the working distance between the imaging system and the prostate gland, so allowing urologists to obtain better signals with a small amount of injected radioactive tracer. This capability entails more rapid measurements, improved images, and greater comfort for the patients.