Siemens Medical Solutions Usa, Inc.

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Ron Grazioso

Markus Vester

Wolfgang Renz

Ralf Ladebeck

Matthias J Schmand

James Luke Corbeil

Nan Zhang

Hubertus Fischer

Ronald Nutt

Mehmet Aykac

Robert Krieg

Robert E Nutt

Bernd J Pichler

Günter Schnur

APD-based PET modules are provided for use in combined PET/MR imaging. Each module includes a number of independent, optically isolated detectors. Each detector includes an array of scintillator (e.g. LSO) crystals read out by an array of APDs. The modules are positioned in the tunnel of a MR scanner. Simultaneous, artifact-free images can be acquired with the APD-based PET and MR system resulting in a high-resolution and cost-effective integrated PET/MR system.

Combined PET/MR imaging system and APD-based pet detector for use in simultaneous PET/MR imaging

A method is disclosed for determination of positron-emission measurement information about a body area which is affected by at least one periodic movement process of an examination object during the course of positron-emission tomography. In at least one embodiment, the method includes a positron-emission measurement being carried out in the body area to be examined of the examination object in order to determine functional positron-emission measurement information, and recording, at the same time as the positron-emission measurement, anatomical measurement information about the body area to be examined is recorded, restricted to one recording plane, for at least one measurement time period, using an anatomical imaging method with high time resolution, in particular using a computed-tomography method. Thereafter, a complete four-dimensional data record of anatomical reference measurement information is recorded for at least one period of a movement process with high time resolution using the anatomical imaging method, and the positron-emission measurement information from the measurement time period is associated with corresponding anatomical reference measurement information as a function of a comparison of the anatomical measurement information, associated with the measurement time period of the positron-emission measurement and restricted to one recording plane, from the anatomical imaging method using the four-dimensional anatomical reference measurement information.

Method for determination of positron-emission measurement information about a body area of an examination object, as well as an associated apparatus

PET detector modules are provided within a multi-dimensional magnetic field, to confine the range of emitted positrons from an object being imaged to improve spatial resolution of reconstructed PET images. Each module includes a number of independent, optically isolated detectors. Each detector includes an array of scintillator crystals read out by an array of APDs (avalanche photodiodes).

PET imaging system with APD-based PET detectors and three-dimensional positron-confining magnetic field

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

Ron Grazioso