Abstract: A combined-modality imaging assembly includes a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system and a nuclear imaging system. The nuclear imaging system has a plurality of (M) modules; and the combined imaging assembly includes a timing control unit having a reference clock unit; and at least one of a phase shifting unit and a frequency shifting unit. At least one of the phase shifting unit and the frequency shifting unit is configured to receive a reference clock signal from the reference clock unit and to generate a plurality of (M) shifted clock signals for clocking the (M) modules such that at least one of the (M) shifted clock signals is shifted respective the reference clock signal in at least one of frequency or phase. In so doing, reduced interference between the modules of the nuclear imaging system and the MR imaging system is obtained.

Abstract: The invention concerns an evaluation apparatus (50) for evaluating gamma radiation events detected by a gamma camera (10) and identifying valid gamma radiation events, said (gamma camera (10) including a scintillator (12) for emitting scintillation photons (42) at photo conversion positions (44) in the scintillator (12) in response to incident gamma rays (22) and resulting gamma radiation events and a position-sensitive photodetector(14) for detecting emitted scintillation photons (42) and obtaining therefrom a spatial signal distribution (24). The invention further concerns a calibration apparatus (56) for in-situ calibrating a position-sensitive photodetector (14) of a gamma camera (10) for the detection of gamma radiation events.

Abstract: A data detection device is used in combination with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus. A magnetic field detection unit (34) serves to detect a temporally varying magnetic field generated by the MRI apparatus, and a timestamping unit (35) generates magnetic field detection timestamps in dependence of the detected temporally varying magnetic field. This allows determining a temporal relation to acquired MRI data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, a method and a computer program product for use in a combined-modality imaging assembly that includes a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system and a nuclear imaging system. The nuclear imaging system has a plurality of (M) modules; and the combined imaging assembly includes a timing control unit having a reference clock unit; and at least one of a phase shifting unit and a frequency shifting unit. At least one of the phase shifting unit and the frequency shifting unit is configured to receive a reference clock signal from the reference clock unit and to generate a plurality of (M) shifted clock signals for clocking the (M) modules such that at least one of the (M) shifted clock signals is shifted respective the reference clock signal in at least one of frequency or phase. In so doing, reduced interference between the modules of the nuclear imaging system and the MR imaging system is obtained.

Abstract: A detector module (50) for a positron emission tomography (PET) system (10) includes an optical transceiver (66) receiving an optical data stream from a PET processing system (48). The data stream includes a pulse train carrying a command to generate sync/reset pulses. The system (10) further includes synchronization circuitry (70) configured to simultaneously jitter clean the pulse train and one of: 1) count the pulses of the pulse train; and 2) monitor the pulse train for a missing pulse. The synchronization circuitry (70) is further configured to, in response to counting a predetermined number of pulses or detecting the missing pulse, extract a jitter clean pulse from the pulse train to generate a jitter clean sync/reset pulse. The system (10) further includes an internal clock (64) which receives the jitter clean sync/reset pulse.

Abstract: The invention concerns an evaluation apparatus (50) for evaluating gamma radiation events detected by a gamma camera (10) and identifying valid gamma radiation events, said (gamma camera (10) including a scintillator (12) for emitting scintillation photons (42) at photo conversion positions (44) in the scintillator (12) in response to incident gamma rays (22) and resulting gamma radiation events and a position-sensitive photodetector(14) for detecting emitted scintillation photons (42) and obtaining therefrom a spatial signal distribution (24). The invention further concerns a calibration apparatus (56) for in-situ calibrating a position-sensitive photodetector (14) of a gamma camera (10) for the detection of gamma radiation events.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for reducing interference between a non-MR imaging system (e.g. a PET imaging scanner) and an MR imaging system. The method comprises receiving at least a signal indicative of the MR RF signal detection period, and in response to the received signal, setting the state of at least a portion of the non-MR imaging system to an inactive state during at least a portion of the MR RF signal detection period.

Abstract: A detector module (50) for a positron emission tomography (PET) system (10) includes an optical transceiver (66) receiving an optical data stream from a PET processing system (48). The data stream includes a pulse train carrying a command to generate sync/reset pulses. The system (10) further includes synchronization circuitry (70) configured to simultaneously jitter clean the pulse train and one of: 1) count the pulses of the pulse train; and 2) monitor the pulse train for a missing pulse. The synchronization circuitry (70) is further configured to, in response to counting a predetermined number of pulses or detecting the missing pulse, extract a jitter clean pulse from the pulse train to generate a jitter clean sync/reset pulse. The system (10) further includes an internal clock (64) which receives the jitter clean sync/reset pulse.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data detection device for use in combination with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus. A magnetic field detection unit (34) serves to detect a temporally varying magnetic field generated by the MRI apparatus, and a timestamping unit (35) generates magnetic field detection timestamps in dependence of the detected temporally varying magnetic field. This allows determining a temporal relation to acquired MRI data.

Abstract: A PET or SPECT radiation detector module (50) includes an array of detectors (54, 58) and their associated processing circuitry are connected by a flexible cable having releasable connectors. A method of mounting and dismounting includes mounting a radiation detector array in a support structure in a diagnostic scanner, connecting one end of a flexible connector to the detector array, and connecting the other end of the flexible connector to its associated circuitry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: a main magnet (122) adapted for generating a main magnetic field; at least one radio frequency receiver coil unit (144) for acquiring magnetic resonance signals in a receiver coil radio frequency band (202) from an examined object (124); means (140) for inductively (wirelessly) supplying electric power to an electric component of the apparatus, wherein the electric component is adapted to be powered by inductively supplied electric power, wherein the power transfer frequency (200) and the higher-harmonics (206) of the power transfer frequency (200) for inductively supplying the electric power are located outside the receiver coil radio frequency band (202).

Abstract: An imaging system comprises: a magnetic resonance scanner (30) having a cylindrical bore (36) defining a cylinder axis (DA), the magnetic resonance scanner having a gradient coil (10, 10?) defining an isocenter (64) within the bore and an isoplane (66) passing through the isocenter and oriented transverse to the cylinder axis; a ring of radiation detectors (60a, 60b, 60?) arranged concentric with the cylindrical bore and configured to detect radiation emanating from within the bore; and a generally annular electronic circuit board (62, 62?) arranged concentric with the cylindrical bore and centered on the isoplane, the generally annular electronic circuit board operatively connected with the ring of radiation detectors to generate electrical signals indicative of detection of radiation by the ring of radiation detectors.

Abstract: In a hybrid PET-MR system, PET detector elements (30) are added in the bore (14), in close proximity to the gradient coils (16). Fluid coolant is supplied to transfer heat from the PET detector elements (30). Thermal insulation (80) insulates the fluid coolant and the PET detector elements (30) from the gradient coils (16). In some embodiments, a first coolant path (90) is in thermal communication with the electronics, a second coolant path (92) is in thermal communication with the light detectors, and a thermal barrier (94, 96) is arranged between the first and second coolant paths such that the first and second coolant paths can be at different temperatures (Te, Td). In some embodiments a sealed heat pipe (110) is in thermal communication with a heat sink such that working fluid in the heat pipe undergoes vaporization/condensation cycling to transfer heat from the detector elements to the heat sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: a main magnet (122) adapted for generating a main magnetic field; at least one radio frequency receiver coil unit (144) for acquiring magnetic resonance signals in a receiver coil radio frequency band (202) from an examined object (124); means (140) for inductively (wirelessly) supplying electric power to an electric component of the apparatus, wherein the electric component is adapted to be powered by inductively supplied electric power, wherein the power transfer frequency (200) and the higher-harmonics (206) of the power transfer frequency (200) for inductively supplying the electric power are located outside the receiver coil radio frequency band (202).

Abstract: An imaging system comprises: a magnetic resonance scanner (30) having a cylindrical bore (36) defining a cylinder axis (DA), the magnetic resonance scanner having a gradient coil (10, 10?) defining an isocenter (64) within the bore and an isoplane (66) passing through the isocenter and oriented transverse to the cylinder axis; a ring of radiation detectors (60a, 60b, 60?) arranged concentric with the cylindrical bore and configured to detect radiation emanating from within the bore; and a generally annular electronic circuit board (62, 62?) arranged concentric with the cylindrical bore and centered on the isoplane, the generally annular electronic circuit board operatively connected with the ring of radiation detectors to generate electrical signals indicative of detection of radiation by the ring of radiation detectors.

Abstract: In a hybrid PET-MR system, PET detector elements (30) are added in the bore (14), in close proximity to the gradient coils (16). Fluid coolant is supplied to transfer heat from the PET detector elements (30). Thermal insulation (80) insulates the fluid coolant and the PET detector elements (30) from the gradient coils (16). In some embodiments, a first coolant path (90) is in thermal communication with the electronics, a second coolant path (92) is in thermal communication with the light detectors, and a thermal barrier (94, 96) is arranged between the first and second coolant paths such that the first and second coolant paths can be at different temperatures (Te, Td). In some embodiments a sealed heat pipe (110) is in thermal communication with a heat sink such that working fluid in the heat pipe undergoes vaporization/condensation cycling to transfer heat from the detector elements to the heat sink.