Device consisting of a combination of a magnetic resonance tomograph and a positron emission tomograph

• US 20080303524A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: STOCKER, Stefan, SCHON, Lothar
• Granted Patent: US 7,847,553 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/322
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/481 MR combined with positron emission tomography [PET] or single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT]

Abstract

At least one embodiment is directed to a combination of an MR tomograph and a positron emission tomograph having avalanche photodiodes as reception elements. In at least one embodiment, the intention is to ensure that the avalanche photodiodes are kept at a constant temperature despite the exposure to heat from the MR components. It is proposed, in at least one embodiment, that cooling by Peltier elements 5 should be provided.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a magnetic resonance tomograph (MR); and

a positron emission tomograph (PET) including avalanche photodiodes as reception elements of the PET, and including Peltier elements to cool the avalanche photodiodes.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor in conjunction with a control instrument to regulate a temperature of the avalanche photodiodes.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a layer with high thermal conductivity, arranged between the Peltier elements and the avalanche photodiodes.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cooling instrument, provided on a hot side of the Peltier elements.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein two Peltier elements are arranged with their hot sides facing each other, and wherein a cooling instrument is provided between the two Peltier elements, while the avalanche photodiodes and the PET electronics are respectively arranged on the cold sides of the two Peltier elements.

6. The device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a layer with high thermal conductivity, arranged between the Peltier elements and the avalanche photodiodes.

7. The device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a cooling instrument, provided on a hot side of the Peltier elements.

8. The device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a cooling instrument, provided on a hot side of the Peltier elements.

9. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein two Peltier elements are arranged with their hot sides facing each other, and wherein a cooling instrument is provided between the two Peltier elements, while the avalanche photodiodes and the PET electronics are respectively arranged on the cold sides of the two Peltier elements.

10. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein two Peltier elements are arranged with their hot sides facing each other, and wherein a cooling instrument is provided between the two Peltier elements, while the avalanche photodiodes and the PET electronics are respectively arranged on the cold sides of the two Peltier elements.

11. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein two Peltier elements are arranged with their hot sides facing each other, and wherein a cooling instrument is provided between the two Peltier elements, while the avalanche photodiodes and the PET electronics are respectively arranged on the cold sides of the two Peltier elements.