Abstract: A method is disclosed for calculating a spatially resolved value of an absorption parameter for a positron emission tomography (PET) scan of an examination object via magnetic resonance tomography (MRT). Magnetic resonance data is acquired within a first region lying within a field of view of a magnetic resonance system and within a second region bordering on the first and lying at the edge of the field of view. The method includes the spatially resolved calculation of a first value of the absorption parameter from the first MR data within the first region and of a second value from the second MR data within the second region. A three-dimensional parameter map is obtained from the first value. This parameter map is extended by the second value such that within the first region and the second region the parameter map has the value of the absorption parameter in spatially resolved form.

Abstract: A hybrid magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system reduces likelihood of artifact distortion in PET images attributable to MR local coil cables and connectors in the patient table. MR local coil cables coupling the MR scanner and the MR local coil connectors are oriented so that they are outside the scanner field of view when performing PET scans.

Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data for a plurality of layers of an object to be examined in a section of a magnetic resonance system having a basic magnetic field, wherein the section is located at the edge of a Field of View of the magnetic resonance system in the first direction. The method includes producing a first gradient field having a non-linearity of its location dependence in such a way that in the section the non-linearity compensates a local inhomogeneity of the basic magnetic field, and then multiple positioning of the object to be examined in a first direction, so the plurality of layers of the object to be examined perpendicular to the first direction successively includes the section. Finally, it includes the acquisition of magnetic resonance data for each of the layers with recording sequences.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to image a partial region of an examination subject by means of a multislice measurement, which partial region includes at least two measurement slices, and is located at least in part at the edge of a field of view of the magnetic resonance apparatus, for each voxel to be optimized that is located at the edge of the field of view, a gradient field is configured for each measurement slice of the partial region that is to be measured and is used to acquire magnetic resonance data in the multislice measurement. The gradient field is configured so as to cause a nonlinearity of the gradient field and a B0 field inhomogeneity to cancel at each of the aforementioned voxel to be optimized at the partial region at the edge of the field of view. An image of the partial region of the examination subject is determined from the magnetic resonance data acquired in this manner.

Abstract: A detection device with at least one detector and a processing unit for processing signals of the detector is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the detection device includes at least one cooling unit for cooling the detector and the processing unit. A shielding is provided for the detector and the processing unit. The shielding includes at least two linked sections, of which a first section has a higher electrical conductivity than a second section, the second section being in thermal contact with the cooling unit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for at least partly determining and/or adapting an attenuation map used for attenuation correction of Positron Emission Tomography image data sets in a combined Magnetic Resonance-Positron Emission Tomography device. In at least one embodiment of the method, at least one one-dimensional magnetic resonance data set of a patient is recorded along one imaging direction; the boundaries of at least one part of the body of the patient intersected by the imaging direction are determined from the one-dimensional magnetic resonance data set; and the attenuation map is determined and/or adapted at least partly as a function of the boundaries determined.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to a method of correcting attenuation in a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner and a positron emission tomography (PET) unit. The method includes acquiring PET sinogram data of an object within a field of view of the PET unit. The method further includes producing an attenuation map based on a maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) of a parameterized model instance and the PET sinogram data.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for correcting a distortion in a magnetic resonance recording. A distortion indicates a mismatch between a distorted position of an image point in the magnetic resonance recording and an actual position of the image point. According to at least one embodiment of the method, a B0 field deviation and a gradient field deviation are determined for at least one actual position in the magnetic resonance facility. Furthermore, a magnetic resonance recording of an examination object is captured and the actual position of an image point of the magnetic resonance recording is determined as a function of the distorted position of the image point in the magnetic resonance recording, the B0 field deviation at the actual position and the gradient field deviation at the actual position.

Abstract: A method for determining attenuation values of an object is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes stationary positioning of the object, irradiation of the object via a radiation source, measurement of the object's transmission data via a detection system, determination of at least one geometric property of the object on the basis of the transmission data, and assignment of attenuation values to the object on the basis of the geometric property.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of a method, a first readout gradient field is determined in such a way that a distortion caused by a non-linearity of the first readout gradient field and a distortion caused by a B0 field inhomogeneity are essentially cancelled at a first location of a field of view of the magnetic resonance facility. Moreover, a second readout gradient field is determined in such a way that a distortion caused by a non-linearity of the second readout gradient field and a distortion caused by a B0 field inhomogeneity are essentially cancelled at a different second location of the field of view. Finally, a multiecho sequence is performed, wherein first magnetic resonance data is captured using the first readout gradient field after a 180° pulse and second magnetic resonance data is captured using the second readout gradient field after a further 180° pulse.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for calibrating an emission tomography subsystem in a combined MR (magnetic resonance) and emission tomography imaging system. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing a phantom that is configured such that the phantom is visible on a MR image, providing an attenuation map of the phantom, wherein the attenuation map includes an attenuation of the phantom, obtaining the MR image of the phantom, obtaining a position of the phantom from the MR image, mapping the attenuation map with the position of the phantom, and calibrating the emission tomography subsystem using the attenuation map mapped with the position of the phantom.

Abstract: A local coil facility is disclosed for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus for examining an examination object. In at least one embodiment, the local coil facility includes at least one electronic processing system, a high frequency antenna, and an antenna housing to cover the high-frequency antenna and the at least one electronic processing system, the antenna housing having at least one wall close to the object and at least one wall away from the object. To reduce or even minimize the attenuation of PET radiation in a combined MR/PET device and thus in particular to ensure a better signal to noise ratio for the PET measurement, it is proposed according to at least one embodiment of the invention that the surfaces of the wall away from the object are essentially tangential to the examination object.

Abstract: In a method for designing a gradient coil composed of multiple sub-coils, parameters representing the structure of the gradient coil are varied, and the variation that produces an optimized electrical field generated by the gradient coil is determined. The final design of the gradient coil embodies those parameters that produced the optimal electrical field. In a method for manufacturing a gradient coil, the gradient coil is manufactured according to the final design. A gradient coil manufactured according to the invention has a gradient conductor configuration that optimizes the electrical field generated by the gradient coil. A magnetic resonance apparatus, and a combined positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance apparatus, embodies such a gradient coil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for recording measured data from a patient by taking movements into account by use of a medical device designed both for recording motion-related measured data and for recording nuclear medicine measured data. The method may include recording nuclear medicine measured data by use of the medical device, simultaneously recording motion-related measured data by use of the medical device, determining at least one motion information item relating to at least one movement of the patient and/or at least one movement inside the body of the patient during the ongoing measured data recording by evaluating at least a portion of the previously recorded motion-related measured data, and carrying out motion correction for at least a portion of the nuclear medicine measured data by use of the computational device in parallel with recording the measured data.

Abstract: A method and a facility are disclosed for imaging a PET spectrum with a PET detector, especially a PE-MR tomograph, and evaluation of the PET spectrum. To improve the correction of the base line in PET and thereby to improve the energy resolution for the PET images, at least one embodiment of the facility includes: a sampling facility for sampling the output signal of the PET detector at a predetermined sampling rate; an edge discriminator for recognizing at least one edge of a PET pulse; a background signal discriminator for estimating a background signal under the PET pulse; and an integrator device for determining the energy of the PET pulse in the PET spectrum above of the background signal from the sample values of the sampling facility.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recording measured data of a patient while taking account of movement operations by way of a medical device that is designed both for recording movement-related measured data, in particular measured data of high temporal resolution and/or measured data that can be interpolated with regard to movement operations, with the aid of an imaging method and/or by means of at least one sensor element, and also for recording nuclear medicine measured data, in particular of lower temporal resolution.

Abstract: Timing in a medical imaging system. The system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subsystem and a non-MRI subsystem. Operation of the non-MRI subsystem involves a timing signal within a radio frequency (RF) cabin of the MRI subsystem. Basing each non-MRI subsystem timing signal on a time base common between the MRI subsystem and the non-MRI subsystem. The non-MRI subsystem can be a medical imaging subsystem. The non-MRI medical imaging subsystem can be a positron emission tomography (PET) subsystem. Each non-MRI subsystem timing signal that based on the common time base can be created using the same model of equipment used for creating timing signals in the MRI subsystem. At least one stage of the non-MRI subsystem timing signal based on the common time base can be created using the same equipment used for creating timing signals in the MRI subsystem.

Abstract: The invention relates to calibration phantoms used in connection with medical imaging devices such as PET, MR, etc., and particularly in connection with hybrid systems such as MR/PET systems. In some cases, the phantoms have distinguishable, machine-readable identification features that allow the imaging system to identify them automatically, without operator intervention. In other cases, even where the phantoms do not have such distinguishable, machine-readable identification features, if the imaging system is appropriately configured with cameras and/or appropriate image analysis software, the imaging system can still identify the phantoms automatically.

Abstract: A hybrid magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system reduces likelihood of artifact distortion in PET images attributable to MR local coil cables and connectors in the patient table. MR local coil cables coupling the MR scanner and the MR local coil connectors are oriented so that they are outside the scanner field of view when performing PET scans.