What are gamma cameras used for?

What are gamma cameras used for?

The gamma camera, also called ascintillation camera orAnger camera, is an imaging device used to image gamma radiation–emitting radioisotopes. This technique is known as scintigraphy and is used to image and analyze the distribution of gamma-emitting radionuclides medically introduced into the human body.

How does a gamma ray camera work?

In a gamma-camera, every decaying technetium radionuclei emits a gamma photon. As its name suggests, a ‘gamma camera’ detects scintillations produced by gamma rays emitted by a radioactive marker. The impact of these gamma rays on a sodium iodide crystal generates scintillations that are detected by photomultipliers.

What are the advantages of gamma cameras?

Variations from traditional medical imaging

Advantages of gamma rays Disadvantages of gamma rays
Initially, equipment are less costly scanning time longer
Greater penetrating power Sources need replacing
More portable Images less sharp
Smaller and lighter equipment Radiation cannot be switched off

What is the difference between gamma camera and SPECT?

Overview. SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) is a diagnostic imaging technique used in nuclear medicine which studies PHYSIOLOGICAL (FUNCTIONAL) processes in the body. Gamma cameras are used to construct an image of the distribution of radiopharmaceuticals spread out in the body of a patient.

Does SPECT use a gamma camera?

SPECT imagers have gamma camera detectors that can detect the gamma ray emissions from the tracers that have been injected into the patient. Gamma rays are a form of light that moves at a different wavelength than visible light.

How much does a gamma camera cost?

‘” The main positives of SPECT scanning are that it’s much more available and widely used and much cheaper than PET. A SPECT scanner gamma camera costs $400,000 to $600,000, while a PET-CT scanner can cost around $2 million.

What are disadvantages of gamma rays?

The extremely high energy of gamma rays allows them to penetrate just about anything. This makes gamma rays very dangerous. They can destroy living cells, produce gene mutations, and cause cancer. Ironically, the deadly effects of gamma rays can be used to treat cancer.