# US 7,745,794 B2 · Positron emission tomography module

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- Number: US 7,745,794 B2
- Document ID: US7745794B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/149,208
- Filed: 2008-04-29
- Published: 2008-11-20
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2007-04-30
- Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
- Inventors: Sebastian Schmidt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7745794B2

## CPC

- A61B 6/037: {Emission tomography}
- A61B 5/055: involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
- A61B 6/4417: {related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities}
- A61B 5/0035: {adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A positron emission tomography module is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the positron emission tomography module includes a gamma ray detector arrangement designed such that it can alternately be combined with a magnetic resonance tomograph and with a computed tomograph.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A positron emission tomography module, comprising: a gamma ray detector arrangement, wherein the module is combinable both with a magnetic resonance tomograph and with a computed tomograph, wherein the module is designed as a detachable positron emission insert which can be inserted into the patient tunnel of a magnetic resonance tomography such that it is arranged concentrically with the examination space of the magnetic resonance tomography, and wherein the module is designed to be housed in an additional carrying apparatus of the computer tomograph, the carrying apparatus being in the form of an annulus or annular segment and being fixed to a gantry of the computed tomograph in a fashion offset in an axial direction from an examination space of the computed tomograph.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The positron emission tomography module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an annular arrangement of gamma ray detectors.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The positron emission tomography module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an electronic unit for at least one of detecting and amplifying the detector signals generated by the gamma ray detector arrangement.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The positron emission tomography module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrying apparatus includes at least one of a power supply unit for supplying the positron emission tomography module with energy and an evaluation unit for calculating image data from the detector signals.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A computed tomograph, comprising:
a gantry to enclose an examination space and define a z-direction along its axial direction; and
a carrying apparatus of a positron emission tomography module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrying apparatus is designed such that a longitudinal axis of the inserted positron emission tomography module is aligned along the z-direction of the computed tomograph.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The computed tomograph of claim 5, wherein the carrying apparatus is in the form of an annulus or annular segment.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The computed tomography of claim 5, wherein the carrying apparatus is detachably fixed to the gantry of the computed tomograph.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The computed tomograph as claimed in claim 5, wherein the carrying apparatus of the computed tomograph includes at least one of a power supply unit for supplying the positron emission tomography module with energy and an evaluation unit for calculating image data from the detector signals.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A magnetic resonance tomograph, comprising:
a substantially tube-shaped patient tunnel which defines a z-direction along its axial direction; and
a carrying apparatus of a positron emission tomography module as claimed in claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the inserted positron emission tomography module is aligned along the z-direction of the magnetic resonance tomograph.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The magnetic resonance tomograph as claimed in claim 9, wherein the magnetic resonance tomograph includes at least one of a power supply unit for supplying the positron emission tomography module with energy and an evaluation unit for calculating image data from the detector signals.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The positron emission tomography module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positron emission insert is designed to be housed in a carrying apparatus of the computed tomography in the form an annulus or annular segment.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The positron emission tomography module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positron emission tomography module includes plug connectors for connecting signal leads and current supply lines to matching plug connectors in the magnetic resonance tomography or the computed tomograph when the positron emission tomography module is inserted into the magnetic resonance tomograph or into the carrying apparatus of the computed tomograph.
