A novel small field of view medical gamma camera - the Compact Gamma Camera (CGC)\ud- has been developed at the University of Leicester to provide portable, high-resolution\udgamma imaging for applications in nuclear medical imaging. The suitability of this\udcamera for medical imaging is investigated through Monte Carlo simulation, phantom\udstudies and preliminary clinical testing.\udQuality assurance protocols are adapted for use with small field of view gamma cameras.\udThese protocols are then used to provide a full characterisation of the CGC. The CGC\udis found to compare favourably to other small field of view systems in development.\udPhantom studies are described which show that the CGC is well suited to intraoperative\udimaging, particularly for use in sentinel lymph node biopsy.\udA Monte Carlo model is described that is designed to simulate the response of a pinholecollimated,\udscintillator-based gamma camera. The model is shown to accurately model\udsensitivity and spatial resolution. Previously derived analytical models are shown to be\udunsuitable for modelling finite source profiles and a new analytical model is described\udwhich addresses this shortcoming. This model is used to define appropriate test source\udsizes for the characterisation of small field of view systems.\udA modified version of the CGC - the Hybrid Compact Gamma Camera (HCGC) - is\uddescribed which includes an optical imager in a coaligned configuration. The HCGC\udallows for functional and anatomical images to be obtained simultaneously. The use of\udhybrid optical-gamma imaging is novel in small field of view cameras and offers new\udpossibilities for assisting surgeons in localising the site of uptake in procedures such as\udsentinel node detection.
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