Data Processing Unit Positioning in MR-PET Imaging System Integration

• US 20120022361A1
• Filed: 07/20/2011
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Caruba, James Frank, Albert, Grant Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 8,818,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/411
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5235 combining images from the same or different ionising radiation imaging techniques, e.g. PET and CT
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/28 Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/481 MR combined with positron emission tomography [PET] or single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT]

Abstract

An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system includes an MR scanner including a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned, a set of PET detectors disposed between the magnet and the opening, and a plurality of data processing units, each data processing unit being configured for communication with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors. The plurality of data processing units are positioned along a side of the MR scanner not having the opening.

Claims

1. An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system comprising:

an MR scanner comprising a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned;

a set of PET detectors disposed between the magnet and the opening; and

a plurality of data processing units, each data processing unit being configured for communication with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors;

wherein the plurality of data processing units are positioned along a side of the MR scanner not having the opening.

2. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1, wherein each data processing unit is disposed adjacent the side of the MR scanner.

3. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data processing units are mounted in a rack arrangement.

4. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data processing units are stacked in a plurality of columns, each column having an equal number of data processing units.

5. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data processing units are stacked in a plurality of columns, first and second columns of the plurality of columns having an unequal number of data processing units.

6. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data processing units are connected to the set of PET detectors via a set of cables having an equal length.

7. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data processing units are connected to the set of PET detectors via a set of cables arranged in a symmetrical pattern relative to a horizontal line passing through a center of the opening.

8. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data processing units and the MR scanner are inside a radio frequency (RF) cabin.

9. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data processing units are galvanically isolated from one another.

10. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of data processing units are grounded to the magnet.

11. An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system comprising:

an MR scanner comprising a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned;

a set of PET detectors disposed adjacent to the opening; and

a plurality of data processing units, each data processing unit being configured for communication with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors;

wherein the plurality of data processing units are disposed in a rack arrangement spaced away from the opening.

12. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 11, wherein each data processing unit is disposed adjacent a side of the MR scanner, the side not having the opening.

13. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of data processing units are stacked in a plurality of columns, each column having an equal number of data processing units.

14. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of data processing units are stacked in a plurality of columns, first and second columns of the plurality of columns having an unequal number of data processing units.

15. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of data processing units are connected to the set of PET detectors via a set of cables having an equal length.

16. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of data processing units are connected to the set of PET detectors via a set of cables arranged in a symmetrical pattern relative to a horizontal line passing through a center of the opening.

17. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of data processing units are galvanically isolated from one another.

18. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 11, wherein one or more of the plurality of data processing units are grounded to the magnet.

19. A method of integrating magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging comprising:

conducting an MR scan operation in an RF cabin with an MR scanner comprising a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned;

generating a PET detector signal during a PET scan operation with a PET detector disposed adjacent the opening;

digitizing the PET detector signal with a data processing unit in the RF cabin.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein digitizing the PET detector signal comprises digitizing with the data processing unit positioned adjacent a side of the MR scanner, the side being free of the opening.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein generating the PET detector signal and digitizing the PET detector signal are performed for a plurality of additional PET detectors and additional data processing units, the additional data processing units being in separate housings.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising routing the PET detector signals of the additional PET detectors over cables of equal length to respective additional data processing units.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising routing the PET detector signals of the additional PET detectors over a set of cables arranged in a symmetrical pattern relative to a horizontal line passing through a center of the opening.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising configuring the data processing unit for communication with the PET detector and housing the data processing unit in a radio frequency (RF) shield housing.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein digitizing the PET detector signal comprises digitizing with the data processing unit stacked with other data processing units adjacent a side of the MR scanner, the side being free of the opening.