PET imaging system with APD-based PET detectors and three-dimensional positron-confining magnetic field
AssigneeSiemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
InventorsRon Grazioso, Mehmet Aykac
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Abstract
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).
Claims12
A positron-confined positron emission tomography (PET) imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a multi-axis magnet for generating a separate magnetic field along each of at least two different axial directions;
- and
- a PET detector module including a scintillator and a photodetector optically coupled to said scintillator, said PET detector module being disposed within said magnetic fields.
A method of improving spatial resolution of PET images reconstructed from PET data acquired by PET detectors, comprising placing said PET detectors within a bore of a multi-axis magnet generating multi-dimensional magnetic fields, so as to confine a range of positrons emitted from an object being imaged by said PET detectors to within said magnetic fields in each of a plurality of dimensions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.