diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetector.cpp b/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetector.cpp
index 0c551799e..e160c9700 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetector.cpp
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetector.cpp
@@ -31,12 +31,7 @@ multiSlsDetector::multiSlsDetector(int id, bool verify, bool update)
     setupMultiDetector(verify, update);
 }
 
-multiSlsDetector::~multiSlsDetector() {
-    if (sharedMemory) {
-        sharedMemory->UnmapSharedMemory();
-        delete sharedMemory;
-    }
-}
+multiSlsDetector::~multiSlsDetector() = default;
 
 void multiSlsDetector::setupMultiDetector(bool verify, bool update) {
     initSharedMemory(verify);
@@ -197,21 +192,21 @@ void multiSlsDetector::setErrorMaskFromAllDetectors() {
 }
 
 void multiSlsDetector::setAcquiringFlag(bool b) {
-    thisMultiDetector->acquiringFlag = b;
+    sharedMemory()->acquiringFlag = b;
 }
 
 bool multiSlsDetector::getAcquiringFlag() const {
-    return thisMultiDetector->acquiringFlag;
+    return sharedMemory()->acquiringFlag;
 }
 
 bool multiSlsDetector::isAcquireReady() {
-    if (thisMultiDetector->acquiringFlag) {
+    if (sharedMemory()->acquiringFlag) {
         FILE_LOG(logWARNING) << "Acquire has already started. "
                                 "If previous acquisition terminated unexpectedly, "
                                 "reset busy flag to restart.(sls_detector_put busy 0)";
         return FAIL;
     }
-    thisMultiDetector->acquiringFlag = true;
+    sharedMemory()->acquiringFlag = true;
     return OK;
 }
 
@@ -250,23 +245,17 @@ void multiSlsDetector::freeSharedMemory(int multiId, int detPos) {
     }
 
     // multi
-    // get number of detectors
+    auto multiShm = SharedMemory<sharedMultiSlsDetector>(multiId, -1);
     int numDetectors = 0;
-    auto shm = SharedMemory<sharedMultiSlsDetector>(multiId, -1);
 
-    // get number of detectors from multi shm
-    if (shm.IsExisting()) {
-        // sharedMultiSlsDetector *mdet =
-        //     (sharedMultiSlsDetector *)shm.OpenSharedMemory(
-        //         sizeof(sharedMultiSlsDetector));
-        shm.OpenSharedMemory();
-        numDetectors = shm()->numberOfDetectors;
-        shm.UnmapSharedMemory();
-        shm.RemoveSharedMemory();
+    if (multiShm.IsExisting()) {
+        multiShm.OpenSharedMemory();
+        numDetectors = multiShm()->numberOfDetectors;
+        multiShm.RemoveSharedMemory();
     }
 
     for (int i = 0; i < numDetectors; ++i) {
-        auto shm = SharedMemory<sharedMultiSlsDetector>(multiId, i);
+        auto shm = SharedMemory<sharedSlsDetector>(multiId, i);
         shm.RemoveSharedMemory();
     }
 }
@@ -287,17 +276,7 @@ void multiSlsDetector::freeSharedMemory(int detPos) {
     detectors.clear();
 
     // clear multi detector shm
-    if (sharedMemory) {
-        if (thisMultiDetector) {
-            sharedMemory->UnmapSharedMemory();
-            thisMultiDetector = nullptr;
-        }
-        sharedMemory->RemoveSharedMemory();
-        delete sharedMemory;
-        sharedMemory = nullptr;
-    }
-
-    // zmq
+    sharedMemory.RemoveSharedMemory(); //TODO verify use
     client_downstream = false;
 }
 
@@ -313,82 +292,56 @@ std::string multiSlsDetector::getUserDetails() {
         sstream << d->getDetectorTypeAsString() << "+";
     }
 
-    sstream << "\nPID: " << thisMultiDetector->lastPID
-            << "\nUser: " << thisMultiDetector->lastUser
-            << "\nDate: " << thisMultiDetector->lastDate << std::endl;
+    sstream << "\nPID: " << sharedMemory()->lastPID
+            << "\nUser: " << sharedMemory()->lastUser
+            << "\nDate: " << sharedMemory()->lastDate << std::endl;
 
     return sstream.str();
 }
 
 /*
- * pre: sharedMemory=0, thisMultiDetector = 0, detectors.size() = 0
- * exceptions are caught in calling function, shm unmapped and deleted
+ * pre: sharedMemory=0, sharedMemory() = 0, detectors.size() = 0
  */
 void multiSlsDetector::initSharedMemory(bool verify) {
-    try {
-        // shared memory object with name
-        sharedMemory = new SharedMemory<sharedMultiSlsDetector>(detId, -1);
-        // size_t sz = sizeof(sharedMultiSlsDetector);
-
-        // create
-        if (!sharedMemory->IsExisting()) {
-            // thisMultiDetector =
-            //     (sharedMultiSlsDetector *)sharedMemory->CreateSharedMemory(sz);
-            sharedMemory->CreateSharedMemory();
-            thisMultiDetector= (*sharedMemory)(); //TODO remove line
-            initializeDetectorStructure();
+    sharedMemory = SharedMemory<sharedMultiSlsDetector>(detId, -1);
+    if (!sharedMemory.IsExisting()) {
+        sharedMemory.CreateSharedMemory();
+        initializeDetectorStructure();
+    }
+    else {
+        sharedMemory.OpenSharedMemory();
+        if (verify && sharedMemory()->shmversion != MULTI_SHMVERSION) {
+            FILE_LOG(logERROR) << "Multi shared memory (" << detId << ") version mismatch "
+                                                                      "(expected 0x"
+                               << std::hex << MULTI_SHMVERSION << " but got 0x" << sharedMemory()->shmversion << std::dec;
+            throw SharedMemoryException();
         }
-        // open and verify version
-        else {
-            // thisMultiDetector =
-            //     (sharedMultiSlsDetector *)sharedMemory->OpenSharedMemory(sz);
-            sharedMemory->OpenSharedMemory();
-            thisMultiDetector = (*sharedMemory)();
-            if (verify && thisMultiDetector->shmversion != MULTI_SHMVERSION) {
-                FILE_LOG(logERROR) << "Multi shared memory (" << detId << ") version mismatch "
-                                                                          "(expected 0x"
-                                   << std::hex << MULTI_SHMVERSION << " but got 0x" << thisMultiDetector->shmversion << std::dec;
-                throw SharedMemoryException();
-            }
-        }
-    } catch (...) {
-        if (sharedMemory) {
-            // unmap
-            if (thisMultiDetector) {
-                sharedMemory->UnmapSharedMemory();
-                thisMultiDetector = nullptr;
-            }
-            // delete
-            delete sharedMemory;
-            sharedMemory = nullptr;
-        }
-        throw;
     }
 }
 
 void multiSlsDetector::initializeDetectorStructure() {
-    thisMultiDetector->shmversion = MULTI_SHMVERSION;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetectors = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[X] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[Y] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->onlineFlag = 1;
-    thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->dataBytes = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->dataBytesInclGapPixels = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannels = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[X] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[Y] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[X] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[Y] = 0;
-    for (int64_t &i : thisMultiDetector->timerValue) {
+    sharedMemory()->shmversion = MULTI_SHMVERSION;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfDetectors = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[X] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[Y] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->onlineFlag = 1;
+    sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->dataBytes = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->dataBytesInclGapPixels = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannels = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[X] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[Y] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[X] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[Y] = 0;
+    for (int64_t &i : sharedMemory()->timerValue) {
         i = 0;
     }
 
-    thisMultiDetector->acquiringFlag = false;
-    thisMultiDetector->receiverOnlineFlag = OFFLINE_FLAG;
-    thisMultiDetector->receiver_upstream = false;
+    sharedMemory()->acquiringFlag = false;
+    sharedMemory()->receiverOnlineFlag = OFFLINE_FLAG;
+    sharedMemory()->receiver_upstream = false;
 }
 
 void multiSlsDetector::initializeMembers(bool verify) {
@@ -396,7 +349,7 @@ void multiSlsDetector::initializeMembers(bool verify) {
     zmqSocket.clear();
 
     // get objects from single det shared memory (open)
-    for (int i = 0; i < thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetectors; i++) {
+    for (int i = 0; i < sharedMemory()->numberOfDetectors; i++) {
         try {
             detectors.push_back(
                 sls::make_unique<slsDetector>(detId, i, verify));
@@ -411,15 +364,15 @@ void multiSlsDetector::initializeMembers(bool verify) {
 }
 
 void multiSlsDetector::updateUserdetails() {
-    thisMultiDetector->lastPID = getpid();
-    memset(thisMultiDetector->lastUser, 0, SHORT_STRING_LENGTH);
-    memset(thisMultiDetector->lastDate, 0, SHORT_STRING_LENGTH);
+    sharedMemory()->lastPID = getpid();
+    memset(sharedMemory()->lastUser, 0, SHORT_STRING_LENGTH);
+    memset(sharedMemory()->lastDate, 0, SHORT_STRING_LENGTH);
     try {
-        sls::strcpy_safe(thisMultiDetector->lastUser, exec("whoami").c_str());
-        sls::strcpy_safe(thisMultiDetector->lastDate, exec("date").c_str());
+        sls::strcpy_safe(sharedMemory()->lastUser, exec("whoami").c_str());
+        sls::strcpy_safe(sharedMemory()->lastDate, exec("date").c_str());
     } catch (...) {
-        sls::strcpy_safe(thisMultiDetector->lastUser, "errorreading");
-        sls::strcpy_safe(thisMultiDetector->lastDate, "errorreading");
+        sls::strcpy_safe(sharedMemory()->lastUser, "errorreading");
+        sls::strcpy_safe(sharedMemory()->lastDate, "errorreading");
     }
 }
 
@@ -455,7 +408,7 @@ void multiSlsDetector::setHostname(const char *name, int detPos) {
 
     // multi
     // this check is there only to allow the previous detsizechan command
-    if (thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetectors) {
+    if (sharedMemory()->numberOfDetectors) {
         FILE_LOG(logWARNING) << "There are already detector(s) in shared memory."
                                 "Freeing Shared memory now.";
         freeSharedMemory();
@@ -508,11 +461,11 @@ void multiSlsDetector::addSlsDetector(const std::string &hostname) {
 
     int pos = (int)detectors.size();
     detectors.push_back(sls::make_unique<slsDetector>(type, detId, pos, false));
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetectors = detectors.size();
-    thisMultiDetector->dataBytes += detectors[pos]->getDataBytes();
-    thisMultiDetector->dataBytesInclGapPixels +=
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfDetectors = detectors.size();
+    sharedMemory()->dataBytes += detectors[pos]->getDataBytes();
+    sharedMemory()->dataBytesInclGapPixels +=
         detectors[pos]->getDataBytesInclGapPixels();
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannels +=
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannels +=
         detectors[pos]->getTotalNumberOfChannels();
 
     detectors[pos]->setHostname(hostname);
@@ -546,12 +499,12 @@ int multiSlsDetector::getNumberOfDetectors() const {
 }
 
 int multiSlsDetector::getNumberOfDetectors(dimension d) const {
-    return thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[d];
+    return sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[d];
 }
 
 void multiSlsDetector::getNumberOfDetectors(int &nx, int &ny) const {
-    nx = thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[X];
-    ny = thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[Y];
+    nx = sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[X];
+    ny = sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[Y];
 }
 
 int multiSlsDetector::getTotalNumberOfChannels(int detPos) {
@@ -561,7 +514,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::getTotalNumberOfChannels(int detPos) {
     }
 
     // multi
-    return thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannels;
+    return sharedMemory()->numberOfChannels;
 }
 
 int multiSlsDetector::getTotalNumberOfChannels(dimension d, int detPos) {
@@ -571,7 +524,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::getTotalNumberOfChannels(dimension d, int detPos) {
     }
 
     // multi
-    return thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[d];
+    return sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[d];
 }
 
 int multiSlsDetector::getTotalNumberOfChannelsInclGapPixels(dimension d,
@@ -582,16 +535,16 @@ int multiSlsDetector::getTotalNumberOfChannelsInclGapPixels(dimension d,
     }
 
     // multi
-    return thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[d];
+    return sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[d];
 }
 
 int multiSlsDetector::getMaxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector(dimension d) {
-    return thisMultiDetector->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[d];
+    return sharedMemory()->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[d];
 }
 
 int multiSlsDetector::setMaxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector(dimension d, int i) {
-    thisMultiDetector->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[d] = i;
-    return thisMultiDetector->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[d];
+    sharedMemory()->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[d] = i;
+    return sharedMemory()->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[d];
 }
 
 int multiSlsDetector::getDetectorOffset(dimension d, int detPos) {
@@ -606,22 +559,22 @@ void multiSlsDetector::updateOffsets() {
     FILE_LOG(logDEBUG1) << "Updating Multi-Detector Offsets";
 
     int offsetX = 0, offsetY = 0, numX = 0, numY = 0;
-    int maxChanX = thisMultiDetector->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[X];
-    int maxChanY = thisMultiDetector->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[Y];
+    int maxChanX = sharedMemory()->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[X];
+    int maxChanY = sharedMemory()->maxNumberOfChannelsPerDetector[Y];
     int prevChanX = 0;
     int prevChanY = 0;
     bool firstTime = true;
 
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[X] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[Y] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[X] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[Y] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[X] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[Y] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[X] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[Y] = 0;
 
     // gap pixels
     int offsetX_gp = 0, offsetY_gp = 0, numX_gp = 0, numY_gp = 0;
     int prevChanX_gp = 0, prevChanY_gp = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X] = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X] = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y] = 0;
 
     for (size_t idet = 0; idet < detectors.size(); ++idet) {
         FILE_LOG(logDEBUG1) << "offsetX:" << offsetX << " prevChanX:" << prevChanX << " offsetY:" << offsetY << " prevChanY:" << prevChanY << " offsetX_gp:" << offsetX_gp << " prevChanX_gp:" << prevChanX_gp << " offsetY_gp:" << offsetY_gp << " prevChanY_gp:" << prevChanY_gp;
@@ -654,8 +607,8 @@ void multiSlsDetector::updateOffsets() {
                 detectors[idet]->getTotalNumberOfChannelsInclGapPixels(X);
             numY_gp +=
                 detectors[idet]->getTotalNumberOfChannelsInclGapPixels(Y);
-            ++thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[X];
-            ++thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[Y];
+            ++sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[X];
+            ++sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[Y];
             FILE_LOG(logDEBUG1) << "incrementing in both direction";
         }
 
@@ -673,8 +626,8 @@ void multiSlsDetector::updateOffsets() {
             numY_gp +=
                 detectors[idet]->getTotalNumberOfChannelsInclGapPixels(Y);
             // increment in y again only in the first column (else you double increment)
-            if (thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[X] == 1)
-                ++thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[Y];
+            if (sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[X] == 1)
+                ++sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[Y];
             FILE_LOG(logDEBUG1) << "incrementing in y direction";
         }
 
@@ -703,7 +656,7 @@ void multiSlsDetector::updateOffsets() {
             numX += detectors[idet]->getTotalNumberOfChannels(X);
             numX_gp +=
                 detectors[idet]->getTotalNumberOfChannelsInclGapPixels(X);
-            ++thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[X];
+            ++sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[X];
             FILE_LOG(logDEBUG1) << "incrementing in x direction";
         }
 
@@ -721,28 +674,28 @@ void multiSlsDetector::updateOffsets() {
                             << detectors[idet]->getDetectorOffset(Y) << ")";
         // offsetY has been reset sometimes and offsetX the first time,
         // but remember the highest values
-        if (numX > thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[X]) {
-            thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[X] = numX;
+        if (numX > sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[X]) {
+            sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[X] = numX;
         }
-        if (numY > thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[Y]) {
-            thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[Y] = numY;
+        if (numY > sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[Y]) {
+            sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[Y] = numY;
         }
-        if (numX_gp > thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X]) {
-            thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X] = numX_gp;
+        if (numX_gp > sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X]) {
+            sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X] = numX_gp;
         }
-        if (numY_gp > thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y]) {
-            thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y] = numY_gp;
+        if (numY_gp > sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y]) {
+            sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y] = numY_gp;
         }
     }
-    FILE_LOG(logDEBUG1) << "\n\tNumber of Channels in X direction:" << thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[X] << "\n\tNumber of Channels in Y direction:" << thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[Y] << "\n\tNumber of Channels in X direction with Gap Pixels:" << thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X] << "\n\tNumber of Channels in Y direction with Gap Pixels:" << thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y];
+    FILE_LOG(logDEBUG1) << "\n\tNumber of Channels in X direction:" << sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[X] << "\n\tNumber of Channels in Y direction:" << sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[Y] << "\n\tNumber of Channels in X direction with Gap Pixels:" << sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X] << "\n\tNumber of Channels in Y direction with Gap Pixels:" << sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y];
 
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannels =
-        thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[0] *
-        thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannel[1];
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannels =
+        sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[0] *
+        sharedMemory()->numberOfChannel[1];
 
     for (auto &d : detectors) {
-        d->updateMultiSize(thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[0],
-                           thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[1]);
+        d->updateMultiSize(sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[0],
+                           sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[1]);
     }
 }
 
@@ -755,9 +708,9 @@ int multiSlsDetector::setOnline(int value, int detPos) {
     // multi
     if (value != GET_ONLINE_FLAG) {
         auto r = parallelCall(&slsDetector::setOnline, value);
-        thisMultiDetector->onlineFlag = sls::minusOneIfDifferent(r);
+        sharedMemory()->onlineFlag = sls::minusOneIfDifferent(r);
     }
-    return thisMultiDetector->onlineFlag;
+    return sharedMemory()->onlineFlag;
 }
 
 std::string multiSlsDetector::checkOnline(int detPos) {
@@ -1109,12 +1062,12 @@ int multiSlsDetector::stopAcquisition(int detPos) {
     if (detPos >= 0) {
         // if only 1 detector, set flag to stop current acquisition
         if (detectors.size() == 1) {
-            thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag = 1;
+            sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag = 1;
         }
 
         return detectors[detPos]->stopAcquisition();
     } else {
-        thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag = 1;
+        sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag = 1;
         auto r = parallelCall(&slsDetector::stopAcquisition);
         return sls::allEqualTo(r, static_cast<int>(OK)) ? OK : FAIL;
     }
@@ -1201,7 +1154,7 @@ int64_t multiSlsDetector::setTimer(timerIndex index, int64_t t, int detPos) {
                     << "Cannot set number of frames, cycles, "
                        "storage cells or measurements individually.";
                 setErrorMask(getErrorMask() | MUST_BE_MULTI_CMD);
-                return thisMultiDetector->timerValue[index];
+                return sharedMemory()->timerValue[index];
             default:
                 break;
             }
@@ -1232,7 +1185,7 @@ int64_t multiSlsDetector::setTimer(timerIndex index, int64_t t, int detPos) {
         }
     }
 
-    thisMultiDetector->timerValue[index] = ret;
+    sharedMemory()->timerValue[index] = ret;
     return ret;
 }
 
@@ -1400,16 +1353,16 @@ int multiSlsDetector::setDynamicRange(int dr, int detPos) {
     int ret = sls::minusOneIfDifferent(r);
 
     // update shm
-    int prevValue = thisMultiDetector->dataBytes;
-    int prevGValue = thisMultiDetector->dataBytesInclGapPixels;
-    thisMultiDetector->dataBytes = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->dataBytesInclGapPixels = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannels = 0;
+    int prevValue = sharedMemory()->dataBytes;
+    int prevGValue = sharedMemory()->dataBytesInclGapPixels;
+    sharedMemory()->dataBytes = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->dataBytesInclGapPixels = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->numberOfChannels = 0;
     for (auto &d : detectors) {
-        thisMultiDetector->dataBytes += d->getDataBytes();
-        thisMultiDetector->dataBytesInclGapPixels +=
+        sharedMemory()->dataBytes += d->getDataBytes();
+        sharedMemory()->dataBytesInclGapPixels +=
             d->getDataBytesInclGapPixels();
-        thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannels += d->getTotalNumberOfChannels();
+        sharedMemory()->numberOfChannels += d->getTotalNumberOfChannels();
     }
 
     // for usability
@@ -1432,8 +1385,8 @@ int multiSlsDetector::setDynamicRange(int dr, int detPos) {
 
     // update offsets if there was a change FIXME:add dr to sls shm and check
     // that instead
-    if ((prevValue != thisMultiDetector->dataBytes) ||
-        (prevGValue != thisMultiDetector->dataBytesInclGapPixels)) {
+    if ((prevValue != sharedMemory()->dataBytes) ||
+        (prevGValue != sharedMemory()->dataBytesInclGapPixels)) {
         updateOffsets();
     }
 
@@ -1960,7 +1913,6 @@ std::string multiSlsDetector::getAdditionalJsonParameter(const std::string &key,
     return sls::concatenateIfDifferent(r);
 }
 
-
 int multiSlsDetector::setDetectorMinMaxEnergyThreshold(const int index, int value, int detPos) {
     std::string parameter = (index ? "emax" : "emin");
 
@@ -1976,7 +1928,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::setDetectorMinMaxEnergyThreshold(const int index, int valu
         return stoi(result);
     }
     // not found or cannot scan integer
-    catch(...) {
+    catch (...) {
         return -1;
     }
 }
@@ -2069,7 +2021,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::loadImageToDetector(imageType index,
     // multi
 
     // read image for all
-    int nch = thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannels;
+    int nch = sharedMemory()->numberOfChannels;
     short int imageVals[nch];
     if (readDataFile(fname, imageVals, nch) < nch * (int)sizeof(short int)) {
         FILE_LOG(logERROR) << "Could not open file or not enough data in file "
@@ -2098,7 +2050,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::writeCounterBlockFile(const std::string &fname,
     // multi
 
     // get image from all
-    int nch = thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannels;
+    int nch = sharedMemory()->numberOfChannels;
     short int imageVals[nch];
     std::vector<int> r;
     for (size_t idet = 0; idet < detectors.size(); ++idet) {
@@ -2542,7 +2494,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::enableGapPixels(int val, int detPos) {
     // update data bytes incl gap pixels
     if (val != -1) {
         auto r = serialCall(&slsDetector::getDataBytesInclGapPixels);
-        thisMultiDetector->dataBytesInclGapPixels = sls::sum(r);
+        sharedMemory()->dataBytesInclGapPixels = sls::sum(r);
 
         // update
         updateOffsets();
@@ -2749,9 +2701,9 @@ int multiSlsDetector::setReceiverOnline(int value, int detPos) {
     // multi
     if (value != GET_ONLINE_FLAG) {
         auto r = parallelCall(&slsDetector::setReceiverOnline, value);
-        thisMultiDetector->receiverOnlineFlag = sls::minusOneIfDifferent(r);
+        sharedMemory()->receiverOnlineFlag = sls::minusOneIfDifferent(r);
     }
-    return thisMultiDetector->receiverOnlineFlag;
+    return sharedMemory()->receiverOnlineFlag;
 }
 
 std::string multiSlsDetector::checkReceiverOnline(int detPos) {
@@ -3089,8 +3041,8 @@ int multiSlsDetector::createReceivingDataSockets(const bool destroy) {
 void multiSlsDetector::readFrameFromReceiver() {
 
     int nX =
-        thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[X]; // to copy data in multi module
-    int nY = thisMultiDetector
+        sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[X]; // to copy data in multi module
+    int nY = sharedMemory()
                  ->numberOfDetector[Y]; // for eiger, to reverse the data
     bool gappixelsenable = false;
     bool eiger = false;
@@ -3238,8 +3190,8 @@ void multiSlsDetector::readFrameFromReceiver() {
             // 4bit gap pixels
             if (dynamicRange == 4 && gappixelsenable) {
                 int n = processImageWithGapPixels(multiframe, multigappixels);
-                nPixelsX = thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X];
-                nPixelsY = thisMultiDetector->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y];
+                nPixelsX = sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[X];
+                nPixelsY = sharedMemory()->numberOfChannelInclGapPixels[Y];
                 thisData = new detectorData(getCurrentProgress(),
                                             currentFileName.c_str(), nPixelsX,
                                             nPixelsY, multigappixels, n,
@@ -3295,12 +3247,12 @@ void multiSlsDetector::readFrameFromReceiver() {
 
 int multiSlsDetector::processImageWithGapPixels(char *image, char *&gpImage) {
     // eiger 4 bit mode
-    int nxb = thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[X] * (512 + 3);
-    int nyb = thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[Y] * (256 + 1);
+    int nxb = sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[X] * (512 + 3);
+    int nyb = sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[Y] * (256 + 1);
     int gapdatabytes = nxb * nyb;
 
-    int nxchip = thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[X] * 4;
-    int nychip = thisMultiDetector->numberOfDetector[Y] * 1;
+    int nxchip = sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[X] * 4;
+    int nychip = sharedMemory()->numberOfDetector[Y] * 1;
 
     // allocate
     if (gpImage == nullptr) {
@@ -3564,7 +3516,7 @@ uint64_t multiSlsDetector::setPatternWord(int addr, uint64_t word, int detPos) {
 }
 
 int multiSlsDetector::setPatternLoops(int level, int &start, int &stop, int &n,
-                                     int detPos) {
+                                      int detPos) {
     // single
     if (detPos >= 0) {
         return detectors[detPos]->setPatternLoops(level, start, stop, n);
@@ -3907,20 +3859,20 @@ void multiSlsDetector::registerDataCallback(
 int multiSlsDetector::setTotalProgress() {
     int nf = 1, nc = 1, ns = 1, nm = 1;
 
-    if (thisMultiDetector->timerValue[FRAME_NUMBER]) {
-        nf = thisMultiDetector->timerValue[FRAME_NUMBER];
+    if (sharedMemory()->timerValue[FRAME_NUMBER]) {
+        nf = sharedMemory()->timerValue[FRAME_NUMBER];
     }
 
-    if (thisMultiDetector->timerValue[CYCLES_NUMBER] > 0) {
-        nc = thisMultiDetector->timerValue[CYCLES_NUMBER];
+    if (sharedMemory()->timerValue[CYCLES_NUMBER] > 0) {
+        nc = sharedMemory()->timerValue[CYCLES_NUMBER];
     }
 
-    if (thisMultiDetector->timerValue[STORAGE_CELL_NUMBER] > 0) {
-        ns = thisMultiDetector->timerValue[STORAGE_CELL_NUMBER] + 1;
+    if (sharedMemory()->timerValue[STORAGE_CELL_NUMBER] > 0) {
+        ns = sharedMemory()->timerValue[STORAGE_CELL_NUMBER] + 1;
     }
 
-    if (thisMultiDetector->timerValue[MEASUREMENTS_NUMBER] > 0) {
-        nm = thisMultiDetector->timerValue[MEASUREMENTS_NUMBER];
+    if (sharedMemory()->timerValue[MEASUREMENTS_NUMBER] > 0) {
+        nm = sharedMemory()->timerValue[MEASUREMENTS_NUMBER];
     }
 
     totalProgress = nm * nf * nc * ns;
@@ -3972,10 +3924,10 @@ int multiSlsDetector::acquire() {
 
     bool receiver = (setReceiverOnline() == ONLINE_FLAG);
     progressIndex = 0;
-    thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag = 0;
+    sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag = 0;
     setJoinThreadFlag(false);
 
-    int nm = thisMultiDetector->timerValue[MEASUREMENTS_NUMBER];
+    int nm = sharedMemory()->timerValue[MEASUREMENTS_NUMBER];
     if (nm < 1) {
         nm = 1;
     }
@@ -3985,7 +3937,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::acquire() {
         std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mg);
         if (getReceiverStatus() != IDLE) {
             if (stopReceiver() == FAIL) {
-                thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag = 1;
+                sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag = 1;
             }
         }
     }
@@ -3996,13 +3948,13 @@ int multiSlsDetector::acquire() {
     if (receiver) {
         std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mg);
         if (resetFramesCaught() == FAIL) {
-            thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag = 1;
+            sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag = 1;
         }
     }
 
     // loop through measurements
     for (int im = 0; im < nm; ++im) {
-        if (thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag) {
+        if (sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag) {
             break;
         }
 
@@ -4012,7 +3964,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::acquire() {
             if (startReceiver() == FAIL) {
                 FILE_LOG(logERROR) << "Start receiver failed ";
                 stopReceiver();
-                thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag = 1;
+                sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag = 1;
                 break;
             }
             // let processing thread listen to these packets
@@ -4025,7 +3977,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::acquire() {
         std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mg);
         if (receiver) {
             if (stopReceiver() == FAIL) {
-                thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag = 1;
+                sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag = 1;
             } else {
                 if (dataReady) {
                     sem_wait(&sem_endRTAcquisition); // waits for receiver's
@@ -4040,7 +3992,7 @@ int multiSlsDetector::acquire() {
         if (measurement_finished) {
             measurement_finished(im, findex, measFinished_p);
         }
-        if (thisMultiDetector->stoppedFlag) {
+        if (sharedMemory()->stoppedFlag) {
             break;
         }
 
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetector.h b/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetector.h
index 3a80bc2f2..21d6b0dd9 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetector.h
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/multiSlsDetector/multiSlsDetector.h
@@ -1966,7 +1966,7 @@ class multiSlsDetector : public virtual slsDetectorDefs,
     int detId;
 
     /** Shared Memory object */
-    SharedMemory<sharedMultiSlsDetector> *sharedMemory {nullptr};
+    SharedMemory<sharedMultiSlsDetector> sharedMemory{0,-1};
 
     /** Shared memory structure */
     sharedMultiSlsDetector *thisMultiDetector {nullptr};
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/sharedMemory/SharedMemory.h b/slsDetectorSoftware/sharedMemory/SharedMemory.h
index 19782263e..a5c9d68f5 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/sharedMemory/SharedMemory.h
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/sharedMemory/SharedMemory.h
@@ -39,8 +39,7 @@ class SharedMemory {
 	 * @param multiId multi detector id
      * @param slsId sls detector id, -1 if a multi detector shared memory
  	 */
-    SharedMemory(int multiId, int slsId) : fd(-1),
-                                           shmSize(0) {
+    SharedMemory(int multiId, int slsId){
         name = ConstructSharedMemoryName(multiId, slsId);
     }
 
@@ -50,6 +49,10 @@ class SharedMemory {
     ~SharedMemory() {
         if (fd >= 0)
             close(fd);
+
+        if (shared_struct) {
+            UnmapSharedMemory();
+        }
     }
 
     /**
@@ -81,10 +84,10 @@ class SharedMemory {
      */
     void CreateSharedMemory(size_t sz = 0) {
         // create
-        if (sz == 0){
+        if (sz == 0) {
             sz = sizeof(T);
         }
-        
+
         fd = shm_open(name.c_str(), O_CREAT | O_TRUNC | O_EXCL | O_RDWR, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
         if (fd < 0) {
             FILE_LOG(logERROR) << "Create shared memory " << name << " failed: " << strerror(errno);
@@ -112,9 +115,12 @@ class SharedMemory {
      * throws a SharedMemoryException exception on failure to open or map
      * @param sz of shared memory
      */
-    void OpenSharedMemory() {
+    void OpenSharedMemory(size_t sz = 0) {
         // open
-        size_t sz = sizeof(T);
+        if (sz == 0) {
+            sz = sizeof(T);
+        }
+
         fd = shm_open(name.c_str(), O_RDWR, 0);
         if (fd < 0) {
             FILE_LOG(logERROR) << "Open existing shared memory " << name << " failed: " << strerror(errno);
@@ -130,10 +136,13 @@ class SharedMemory {
      * throws a SharedMemoryException exception on failure
      */
     void UnmapSharedMemory() {
-        if (munmap(shared_struct, shmSize) < 0) {
-            FILE_LOG(logERROR) << "Unmapping shared memory " << name << " failed: " << strerror(errno);
-            close(fd);
-            throw SharedMemoryException();
+        if (shared_struct != nullptr) {
+            if (munmap(shared_struct, shmSize) < 0) {
+                FILE_LOG(logERROR) << "Unmapping shared memory " << name << " failed: " << strerror(errno);
+                close(fd);
+                throw SharedMemoryException();
+            }
+            shared_struct = nullptr;
         }
     }
 
@@ -141,6 +150,7 @@ class SharedMemory {
 	 * Remove existing Shared memory
 	 */
     void RemoveSharedMemory() {
+        UnmapSharedMemory();
         if (shm_unlink(name.c_str()) < 0) {
             // silent exit if shm did not exist anyway
             if (errno == ENOENT)
@@ -252,10 +262,10 @@ class SharedMemory {
     std::string name;
 
     /** File descriptor */
-    int fd;
+    int fd{-1};
 
     /** shm size */
-    size_t shmSize;
+    size_t shmSize{0};
 
-    T *shared_struct;
+    T *shared_struct{nullptr};
 };
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/slsDetector/slsDetector.cpp b/slsDetectorSoftware/slsDetector/slsDetector.cpp
index d0c039c87..e3291fa52 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/slsDetector/slsDetector.cpp
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/slsDetector/slsDetector.cpp
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ void slsDetector::initSharedMemory(bool created, detectorType type, int multiId,
         // open and verify version
         else {
             // thisDetector = (sharedSlsDetector *)sharedMemory->OpenSharedMemory(sz);
-            sharedMemory->OpenSharedMemory();
+            sharedMemory->OpenSharedMemory(sz);
             thisDetector = (*sharedMemory)();
             if (verify && thisDetector->shmversion != SLS_SHMVERSION) {
                 FILE_LOG(logERROR) << "Single shared memory "
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/tests/test-SharedMemory.cpp b/slsDetectorSoftware/tests/test-SharedMemory.cpp
index e541ad3e2..8231070a9 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/tests/test-SharedMemory.cpp
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/tests/test-SharedMemory.cpp
@@ -1,18 +1,17 @@
 
-#include "catch.hpp"
 #include "SharedMemory.h"
+#include "catch.hpp"
 #include "string_utils.h"
 
+struct Data {
+    int x;
+    double y;
+    char mess[50];
+};
 
-TEST_CASE("SharedMemory") {
-    struct Data{
-        int x;
-        double y;
-        char mess[50];
-    };
+TEST_CASE("Create SharedMemory read and write") {
 
-    
-    SharedMemory<Data> shm(0,-1);
+    SharedMemory<Data> shm(0, -1);
     shm.CreateSharedMemory();
     CHECK(shm.GetName() == "/slsDetectorPackage_multi_0");
 
@@ -26,5 +25,54 @@ TEST_CASE("SharedMemory") {
 
     shm.UnmapSharedMemory();
     shm.RemoveSharedMemory();
+}
 
+TEST_CASE("Open existing SharedMemory and read") {
+
+    SharedMemory<double> shm(0, -1);
+    shm.CreateSharedMemory();
+    *shm() = 5.3;
+    shm.UnmapSharedMemory();
+
+    SharedMemory<double> shm2(0, -1);
+    shm2.OpenSharedMemory();
+    CHECK(*shm2() == 5.3);
+
+    shm2.RemoveSharedMemory();
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Two shared memories with the same name throws") {
+
+    SharedMemory<double> shm0(0, -1);
+    SharedMemory<double> shm1(0, -1);
+
+    shm0.CreateSharedMemory();
+    CHECK_THROWS(shm1.CreateSharedMemory());
+    shm0.RemoveSharedMemory();
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Open two shared memories to the same place") {
+
+    //Create the first shared memory
+    SharedMemory<Data> shm(0, -1);
+    shm.CreateSharedMemory();
+    shm()->x = 5;
+    CHECK(shm()->x == 5);
+
+    //Open the second shared memory with the same name
+    SharedMemory<Data> shm2(0, -1);
+    shm2.OpenSharedMemory();
+    CHECK(shm2()->x == 5);
+    CHECK(shm.GetName() == shm2.GetName());
+
+    //Check that they still point to the same place
+    shm2()->x = 7;
+    CHECK(shm()->x == 7);
+
+
+    //Remove only needs to be done once since they refer 
+    //to the same memory
+    shm2.RemoveSharedMemory();
+    CHECK(shm.IsExisting() == false);
+    CHECK(shm2.IsExisting() == false);
 }
\ No newline at end of file