The HICAM gamma camera

In this work we present a new compact and high-resolution Anger camera to be used in clinical and research environments where high overall spatial resolution and system compactness are required. The use of Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs) as scintillator photodetectors, characterized by high quantum efficiency and low electronic noise, is the unique aspect of this camera. Two prototypes were developed during the project, with 5 x 5 SDDs and 10 x 10 SDDs (6 cm x 5 cm and 12 cm x 10 cm field-of-view, respectively). They provide a high intrinsic spatial resolution (< 1 mm, system spatial resolution of similar to 2.67 mm @ 4 cm and appropriate sensitivity. The prototypes have been used for assessment of performance and first measurements in both clinical trials and small animal imaging. We report on the results of imaging measurements carried out in the laboratory with the prototypes and on the most significant results obtained so far with this new camera employed in several applications.