Lighting arrangements for medical imaging systems

Abstract

An illumination arrangement for a medical imaging system having a cylindrical wall forming a tunnel for accommodating a patient to be scanned. The illumination arrangement includes a light-transmitting portion aligned along the longitudinal axis of the imaging system, wherein the light-transmitting portion forms part of the tunnel. The illumination arrangement also includes a reflector portion radially outward of the light-transmitting portion. Furthermore, the illumination arrangement includes at least one illumination device located between the reflector portion and the light-transmitting portion, wherein the illumination device emits light reflected by the reflector portion onto the light-transmitting portion, and wherein the light then transmits through the light-transmitting portion and into the tunnel to illuminate the tunnel circumferentially.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. Application No. 18 / 188513, filed March 23, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 16 / 949229, filed October 21, 2020, and granted U.S. Patent No. 11,647,971, entitled “LIGHTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM,” each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Various aspects of the present invention relate to an illumination arrangement for illuminating a patient tunnel in a medical imaging system, and more particularly to an illumination arrangement for a medical imaging system having a cylindrical wall that forms a tunnel for accommodating a patient to be scanned. The illumination arrangement includes a light-transmitting portion aligned along the longitudinal axis of the imaging system, wherein the light-transmitting portion forms part of the tunnel. The illumination arrangement also includes a reflector portion radially outward of the light-transmitting portion. Furthermore, the illumination arrangement includes at least one illumination device located between the reflector portion and the light-transmitting portion, wherein the illumination device emits light reflected by the reflector portion onto the light-transmitting portion, and wherein the light then transmits through the light-transmitting portion and into the tunnel to illuminate the tunnel circumferentially. Background Technology

[0004] Medical imaging systems include a patient aperture that houses the patient to be imaged or scanned. This aperture is typically long and narrow, forming a cylindrical patient tunnel through which the patient moves longitudinally along the tunnel's longitudinal axis. For example, the tunnel can be imposed or frightening for young people or adults with claustrophobia. This effect is becoming more pronounced as the average aperture length of medical imaging systems, such as positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET / CT) systems, tends to increase. In particular, imaging systems with extended axial field of view (FoV), coupled with apertures that have remained largely constant, have made PET systems less appealing because patients often experience a "closed-space feeling" or claustrophobia when positioned within the tunnel. This is especially true in imaging systems with even longer tunnels, such as MR-PET imaging systems and imaging systems with FoVs of one meter or longer.

[0005] Adding light to the tunnel improves the system's appearance and feel, and gives the tunnel a spacious feel, thus mitigating claustrophobia. For example, lights can be integrated into the tunnel's front and rear covers. Furthermore, projectors located along the tunnel's longitudinal axis can be used to guide light through the tunnel in the longitudinal direction. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An illumination arrangement for a medical imaging system is disclosed, the medical imaging system having a cylindrical wall that forms a tunnel for accommodating a patient to be scanned. The illumination arrangement includes a light-transmitting portion aligned along the longitudinal axis of the imaging system, wherein the light-transmitting portion forms part of the tunnel. The illumination arrangement also includes a reflector portion radially outside the light-transmitting portion. Furthermore, the illumination arrangement includes at least one illumination device located between the reflector portion and the light-transmitting portion, wherein the illumination device emits light reflected by the reflector portion onto the light-transmitting portion, and wherein the light then transmits through the light-transmitting portion and into the tunnel to illuminate the tunnel circumferentially.

[0007] Furthermore, a method for illuminating a tunnel in a medical imaging system is disclosed, the medical imaging system having cylindrical walls that form a tunnel for accommodating a patient to be scanned, wherein the medical imaging system includes first and second imaging portions having first and second fields of view. The method includes providing a light-transmitting portion aligned along the longitudinal axis of the imaging system, wherein the light-transmitting portion forms part of the tunnel. The method also includes providing a reflector portion radially outside the light-transmitting portion. Furthermore, the method includes providing light reflected by the reflector portion onto the light-transmitting portion, wherein the light then transmits through the light-transmitting portion and enters the tunnel to illuminate the tunnel circumferentially.

[0008] Those skilled in the art can apply the corresponding features of the present invention in any combination or sub-combination, either in combination or separately. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are further described in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 A medical imaging system according to one aspect of the present invention is described.

[0011] Figure 2A A lighting arrangement according to one aspect of the invention is described.

[0012] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A A magnified view of area 2B.

[0013] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the walls and lighting fixtures.

[0014] Figure 4 A lighting arrangement according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted.

[0015] Figure 5 and Figure 6These are perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the lighting arrangement for illuminating the tunnel.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a dual-modal imaging system having first and second imaging portions.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the lighting arrangement.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An enlarged view of the balloon section 9, and depicting the various parts of the reflector section and the flange section.

[0019] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 An enlarged view of the balloon section 10, and depicting the various parts of the trim section. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Although various embodiments incorporated into the teachings of this disclosure have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other variations of embodiments still incorporating these teachings. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to the application of the construction details and component arrangements of the exemplary embodiments set forth in the specification or illustrated in the drawings. This disclosure covers other embodiments practiced or implemented in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. The use of “comprising,” “including,” or “having,” and variations thereof herein is intended to cover the items listed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as additional items. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled,” and variations thereof are used extensively and cover direct and indirect mounting, connection, support, and coupling. Additionally, “connected” and “coupled” are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0021] refer to Figure 1The diagram shows a view of an exemplary medical imaging system 10 according to one aspect of the invention. The invention can be used in conjunction with any medical imaging system 10 having a patient tunnel for accommodating a patient, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, a positron emission tomography (PET) system, a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system, a PET / MRI system, an X-ray computed tomography (CT) system, a PET / CT system, a SPECT / CT system, and so on. For illustrative purposes, the invention will be described in conjunction with a PET / CT imaging system 12 having a CT section 14 and a PET section 16. The CT section 14 includes a recording unit comprising an X-ray source 18 and an X-ray detector 20. The recording unit rotates about a longitudinal axis 22 during the recording of tomographic images, and the X-ray source 18 emits X-rays 24 during recording. While images are being recorded, a patient 26 lies on a bed 28. The bed 28 is connected to a platform 30 such that it supports the bed 28 carrying the patient 26. The bed 28 is designed to move the patient 26 along the recording direction through an opening or tunnel 32 in the frame 34 of system 12. The platform 30 includes a control unit 34 connected to the computer 36 to exchange data. Figure 1 In the example shown, the medical diagnostic or treatment unit is designed as a system 12 by a determining unit 38, which is in the form of a stored computer program executable on a computer 36. The computer 36 is connected to an output unit 40 and an input unit 42. The output unit 40 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a plasma screen (one or more). An output 44 on the output unit 40 includes, for example, a graphical user interface for actuating the various units of system 12 and the control unit 34. Furthermore, different views of recorded data can be displayed on the output unit 40. The input unit 42 is, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or microphone for voice input.

[0022] Figure 2A A schematic cross-sectional side view of tunnel 32 is depicted. Tunnel 32 is defined by a generally cylindrical tunnel wall 46 having an outer surface 48 and an inner surface 50. CT portion 14 includes a CT field of view 52 having a first width 54, and PET portion 16 includes a PET field of view 56 having a second width 58. CT portion 14 and PET portion 16 are sensitive to X-rays and gamma rays, respectively, via CT field of view 52 and PET field of view 56. According to one aspect of the invention, an illumination device 60 is located near or on the outer surface 48 of wall 46, and between CT field of view 52 and PET field of view 56. Illumination device 60 is also located outside the first width 54 and the second width 58 of CT field of view 52 and PET field of view 56, respectively, such that the X-rays and gamma rays generated by system 12 are unaffected by illumination device 60. Figure 3This is a perspective view of wall 46 and lighting fixture 60. (Combined) Figure 2A refer to Figure 3 The lighting device 60 may extend around the entire circumference of the outer surface 48 of the wall 46 to form a substantially annular configuration with a central angle of 360 degrees around the wall 46. Alternatively, the lighting device 60 may extend only partially around the circumference of the outer surface 48 to form a semicircle (i.e., approximately 180 degrees) or an arc greater than or less than approximately 180 degrees.

[0023] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A A magnified view of area 2B. (Reference) Figure 2A and Figure 2B The lighting device 60 includes a light source 62 located between a first reflector element 64 and a second reflector element 66, which extend toward and contact an outer surface 48. The first reflector element 64 and the second reflector element 66 each include a first mirror 68 and a second mirror 70, positioned to reflect light emitted by the light source 62. In alternative embodiments, additional or fewer reflector elements and / or mirrors may be used. The wall 46 includes a window or transparent wall portion 72 having a transparent outer surface 74 and a transparent inner surface 76. According to one aspect of the invention, the transparent inner surface 76 is aligned with the inner surface 50 of the wall 46 to form a continuous, smooth inner surface. This reduces the likelihood of the patient 26 getting stuck or tripped when moving into and out of the tunnel 32 and promotes hygiene. The transparent wall portion 72 is aligned with the lighting device 60 to form an illumination arrangement 78 for illuminating the tunnel 32. In one embodiment, a light diffuser may be used instead of or in addition to the transparent wall portion 72.

[0024] Light 80 emitted by light source 62 propagates toward transparent wall portion 72 and is reflected toward transparent wall portion 72 by first mirror 68 and second mirror 70. Light 80 then passes through transparent wall portion 72 in a direction substantially orthogonal to longitudinal axis 22 and enters tunnel 32 to illuminate tunnel 32. Alternatively, light 80 may be oriented at an angle relative to longitudinal axis 22 other than an orthogonal angle. Light source 62 may be a light strip, fiber optic cable, or strip of red, green, and blue (RGB) light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or other light sources emitting a broad spectrum.

[0025] In one embodiment, the transparent wall portion 72 corresponds to the circumferential shape of the lighting device 60. For example, both the transparent wall portion 72 and the lighting device 60 can be annular, allowing light to pass through the entire circumference (i.e., 360 degrees) and into the tunnel 32 to illuminate the tunnel 32 circumferentially. In one embodiment, the first reflector element 64 and the second reflector element 66 are tilted away from each other to provide a relatively wide beam of light in the tunnel 32. Alternatively, the first reflector element 64 and the second reflector element 66 can be oriented to provide other beam angles as desired, such as a relatively narrow beam angle.

[0026] The illumination of tunnel 32 improves the appearance and feel of tunnel 32, and gives patient 26 a spacious appearance of tunnel 32, thereby reducing the effects of claustrophobia and calming patient 26. In addition, the illumination arrangement 78 is located outside both the CT field of view 52 and the PET field of view 56 (i.e., outside the imaging volume), and therefore does not affect the X-rays or gamma rays generated by system 12, and avoids signal attenuation and scattering.

[0027] In addition to illuminating tunnel 32, the lighting arrangement 78 can also be used to generate light that serves as a parameter indicator for clinicians or operators, allowing operators to easily observe the status of system 12 without having to be located at the terminal or output unit 40 of system 12. According to one aspect of the invention, the intensity of the illumination in tunnel 32 can vary according to the amount of activity measured by PET section 16, such as a changing count rate. Furthermore, the lighting device 60 can provide colored lighting to indicate system status or mode, such as whether the system is on, idle, running, the bed 28 or patient handling system is in motion, etc.

[0028] Different colored lighting can be used to indicate the health status of the system. For example, when system 12 is started, green lighting can be used to indicate a normal system operating state (i.e., ready to scan, no system problems detected, etc.), yellow lighting indicates system warnings that require attention, red lighting indicates system faults that need to be addressed, and blue lighting indicates that system 12 is in energy-saving mode. Additionally, different colored lighting can be used to indicate messages or instructions to the patient. For example, the first color can be used to instruct the patient to hold their breath, the second color to instruct the patient to breathe, and other colors can be used to indicate other messages. Furthermore, light source 62 can be arranged in a panel configuration to form individual LEDs, each LED serving as a pixel on the text screen. This allows messages that are helpful to the hearing-impaired patient 26 or useful for studying the patient's auditory system response to be displayed on the screen. For example, messages instructing the patient, such as "breathe" or "stop breathing," or messages indicating scan time, remaining scan time, etc., can be displayed on the screen. Computer 36 can be used to control the activation and operation of light source 62.

[0029] refer to Figure 4 The diagram illustrates an illumination arrangement 82 for illuminating tunnel 32 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The illumination device 84 includes at least one illumination element 86 inserted into a cord or light strip 88 of a substantially transparent optical fiber material. In one embodiment, the illumination element 86 includes at least one RGB LED or other light source emitting different colors of light. The strip 88 is located on a transparent outer surface 74 and may extend around the entire circumference of the transparent outer surface 74 of the transparent wall portion 72 to form an annular configuration with a central angle of 360 degrees around the wall 46. Alternatively, the strip 88 may extend only partially around the circumference of the transparent outer surface 74 to form a semicircle (i.e., approximately 180 degrees) or an arc greater than or less than approximately 180 degrees. More than one strip 88 may be positioned around the circumference of the transparent outer surface 74 such that the strips 88 are positioned side-by-side on the transparent outer surface 74 to a desired width. The strip 88 is located outside the first width 54 and the second width 58 of the CT field of view 52 and the PET field of view 56, respectively, so that the X-rays and gamma rays generated by the system 12 are not affected by the strip 88. In one embodiment, light 80 emitted by the illumination device 84 is transmitted through the transparent wall portion 72 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 22, such that the light is transmitted through the entire circumference (i.e., 360 degrees) and enters the tunnel 32 to illuminate the tunnel 32 circumferentially. Alternatively, the light 80 may be oriented relative to the longitudinal axis 22 at an angle other than an orthogonal angle.

[0030] Figure 5 and Figure 6 These are used to illuminate tunnel 32 ( Figure 2A The following are perspective and cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the lighting arrangement 100. The lighting arrangement 100 includes an annular frame portion 102, a light-transmitting portion 104, and a mounting decoration portion 106, which have first apertures 103, second apertures 105, and third apertures 107 respectively defining a first inner surface 108, a second inner surface 110, and a third inner surface 115. The inner surface 108 of the frame portion 102, the inner surface 110 of the light-transmitting portion 104, and the inner surface 115 of the mounting decoration portion 106 are substantially aligned with the inner surface 50 of the tunnel wall 46 (see...). Figure 2A The longitudinal axis 22 extends through the first central aperture 103, the second central aperture 105, and the third central aperture 107. The light-transmitting portion 104 is located between the frame portion 102 and the mounting decoration portion 106 and is sufficiently sized in the longitudinal direction to provide circumferential lighting for the tunnel 32, thereby helping to alleviate the claustrophobic feelings of patients in the tunnel 32.

[0031] The outer surface 112 of the frame portion 102 includes a circumferentially oriented flange portion 114, which includes at least one lighting device 116 (see also...). Figure 8 and Figure 9 The lighting device 116 is arranged circumferentially on the flange portion 114 and extends toward the light-transmitting portion 104. In one aspect of the invention, the lighting device 116 may include at least one LED light strip mounted circumferentially around the frame portion 102. Furthermore, a protective barrier may be positioned between the LEDs to prevent light "hot spots" at the LED mounting locations. Additionally, the outer surface 112 may include a microphone 154 and a speaker 156 to enable communication between the patient and the system operator.

[0032] The lighting arrangement 100 further includes a reflector portion 118 having a first end 120 removably attached to a flange portion 114 and a second end 122 removably attached to a mounting trim portion 106. In one aspect of the invention, the longitudinal dimension of the reflector portion 118 substantially corresponds to the longitudinal dimension of the transmission portion 104. Alternatively, the reflector portion 118 and the transmission portion 104 may differ in size relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. The reflector portion 118 is radially outward of the light transmission portion 104 relative to the longitudinal axis 22 to form a cavity 124. In one aspect of the invention, the reflector portion 118 tapers gradually toward the longitudinal axis 22 between the first end 120 and the second end 122 to form a substantially tapering shape. A lighting device 116 is located in the cavity 124 between the reflector portion 118 and the light transmission portion 104. Light emitted by the lighting device 116 is reflected by the inner surface 126 of the reflector toward the outer surface 128 of the light transmission portion 104. The light-transmitting portion 104 receives light and transmits it into the tunnel 32 to illuminate the tunnel 32 circumferentially in the longitudinal direction. The illumination of the tunnel 32 provides comfort to the patient located within the tunnel 32 and helps alleviate feelings of claustrophobia while inside the tunnel 32. In one aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting portion 104 is made of a light-diffusing material. For example, the light-diffusing material may be made of a light-diffusing plastic or equivalent material that diffuses, scatters, or filters the light emitted by the lighting device 116, such that the light attenuates as it propagates away from the lighting device 116, and the light-transmitting portion 104 emits light. Alternatively, substantially uniform illumination can be achieved by varying the design and longitudinal length of the reflector portion 118.

[0033] This invention can be used with any medical imaging system 10 having a patient tunnel 32 for accommodating a patient. Figure 1When used in combination, the medical imaging system 10 is such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, a positron emission tomography (PET) system, a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system, or an X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. The invention can also be used in imaging systems having more than one type of imaging modality, such as an imaging system in which the first imaging portion is a PET portion having a PET field of view and the second imaging portion is a CT portion having a CT field of view (PET / CT imaging system), an imaging system in which the first imaging portion is a SPECT portion having a SPECT field of view and the second imaging portion is a CT portion having a CT field of view (SPECT / CT imaging system), an imaging system in which the first imaging portion is a PET imaging portion having a PET field of view and the second imaging portion is an MR imaging portion having an MR field of view (PET / MRI imaging system), or an imaging system in which the first imaging portion is an MR imaging portion having an MR field of view and the second imaging portion is a CT portion having a CT field of view.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a dual-modal imaging system 130, which has a first imaging portion 132 providing a first imaging modality and a second imaging portion 134 providing a second imaging modality different from the first imaging modality. The first imaging portion 132 includes a first field of view 136 having a first width 138, and the second imaging portion 134 includes a second field of view 140 having a second width 142. According to one aspect of the invention, an illumination arrangement 100 may be located between the first field of view 136 and the second field of view 140 to limit artifacts and / or attenuation in either the first field of view 136 or the second field of view 140. In one aspect of the invention, the illumination arrangement 100 is oriented such that a frame portion 102 is located near the first field of view 136, and a mounting decoration portion 106 is located near the second field of view 140. In this orientation, light emitted by the illumination device 116 is emitted toward the second imaging portion 134 and then reflected by the inner surface 126 of the reflector toward the outer surface 128 of the light transmission portion 104, as previously discussed. Figure 6 As described. Alternatively, the illumination arrangement 100 may be oriented in opposing directions such that the illumination device 116 emits light toward the first imaging portion 132. For example, the dual-modal imaging system 130 may be a PET / CT imaging system comprising a PET imaging portion (first imaging portion 132) and a CT imaging portion (second imaging portion 134). The PET portion includes a PET field of view (first field of view 136) having a first width (first width 138), and the CT portion includes a CT field of view (second field of view 140) having a second width (second width 142). The illumination arrangement 100 is positioned between the PET field of view and the CT field of view to limit artifacts and / or attenuation in either the PET or CT field of view.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional side view of the lighting arrangement. Figure 9 This is an enlarged view of the balloon portion 9, depicting portions of the reflector portion 118 and the flange portion 114. The flange portion 114 includes a circumferential mounting member 144 extending from it. A first end 120 of the reflector portion 118 includes an attachment member 146 having an orientation corresponding to the mounting member 144. The attachment member 146, and thus the reflector portion 118, is removably attached to the mounting member 144 by a removable fastener 148 or other attachment device or method. The first portion 152 of the reflector portion 118 following the attachment member 146 tapers towards the longitudinal axis 22. Figure 10 This is an enlarged view of the balloon portion 10. The mounting trim portion 106 includes a circumferential channel 150 that receives a second end 122 of the reflector portion 118 for removable attachment of the reflector portion 118 when the attachment member 146 is removably attached to the mounting member 144 of the flange portion 114.

[0036] The lighting arrangement 100 facilitates interior upgrades of the operational imaging system by increasing illumination by allowing the addition of at least one lighting device (such as an LED strip) to the imaging system 130, rather than replacing a significant portion of the tunnel 32 containing the imaging system 130. This enables operators to purchase the imaging system 130 with the option to add lighting to the tunnel 32 in a cost-effective manner in the future. Additionally, the removable attachment of the reflector portion 118 allows the lighting device 116 to be added or replaced on-site, further reducing costs.

[0037] In another aspect of the invention, lighting devices 116 (such as LEDs) may be circumferentially located at the first and second ends of tunnel 32 such that they emit light toward each other. In yet another aspect of the invention, lighting devices 116 may be circumferentially positioned relative to the outer diameter of the tunnel portion made of light-diffusing plastic. Lighting devices 116 may be positioned approximately 3-4 inches from the light-diffusing plastic to reduce LED hotspots. Alternatively, an LED array may be circumferentially positioned around the outer diameter of the tunnel portion.

[0038] While specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications be covered within the scope of this disclosure by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An illumination arrangement for a medical imaging system having a cylindrical wall forming a tunnel for accommodating a patient to be scanned, wherein the medical imaging system includes a first imaging portion and a second imaging portion having a first field of view and a second field of view, respectively, and the illumination arrangement includes: A light-transmitting portion (104) aligned on the longitudinal axis (22) of the imaging system, wherein the light-transmitting portion forms part of a tunnel; A reflector portion (118), wherein the reflector portion (118) is radially outward of the light-transmitting portion (104) relative to the longitudinal axis (22) to form a cavity (124), and wherein the reflector portion (118) is tapered toward the longitudinal axis (22); The annular frame portion (102) has an outer surface (112) including a circumferentially upright flange portion (114); At least one lighting device (116) is located between the reflector portion (118) and the light transmission portion (104), wherein the lighting device (116) is arranged circumferentially on the flange portion (114) and extends toward the light transmission portion (104), and wherein the lighting device emits light into the cavity (124), the light is reflected by the inner reflector surface (126) of the reflector portion (118) onto the outer surface (128) of the light transmission portion, and wherein the light is then transmitted through the light transmission portion (104) and into the tunnel to illuminate the tunnel circumferentially in the longitudinal direction.

2. The lighting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission portion is located between the first field of view and the second field of view.

3. The lighting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises at least one LED light strip.

4. The lighting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the illumination of the tunnel by the lighting equipment improves the patient's claustrophobic feelings while in the tunnel.

5. The lighting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting portion is made of a light-diffusing material.

6. The lighting arrangement of claim 1, wherein the reflector portion is removably attached to the lighting arrangement.

7. The illumination arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first imaging portion is a PET portion having a PET field of view and the second imaging portion is a CT portion having a CT field of view, the first imaging portion is a SPECT portion having a SPECT field of view and the second imaging portion is a CT portion having a CT field of view, the first imaging portion is an MR imaging portion having an MR field of view and the second imaging portion is a PET portion having a PET field of view, or the first imaging portion is an MR portion having an MR field of view and the second imaging portion is a CT portion having a CT field of view.

8. An illumination arrangement for a medical imaging system having a cylindrical wall forming a tunnel for receiving a patient to be scanned, wherein the medical imaging system includes a first imaging portion and a second imaging portion having a first field of view and a second field of view, respectively, and the illumination arrangement includes: An annular light-transmitting portion (104) located near the annular frame portion, wherein the light-transmitting portion and the annular frame portion are aligned on the longitudinal axis (22) of the imaging system and form part of a tunnel, and the outer surface (112) of the annular frame portion includes a circumferentially upright flange element. A reflector portion (118), wherein, relative to the longitudinal axis (22), the reflector portion is radially outward of the light-transmitting portion (104) to form a cavity (124), and wherein the reflector portion (118) is tapered toward the longitudinal axis (22); and At least one lighting device (116) is arranged circumferentially on the flange element and located between the reflector portion (118) and the light transmission portion (104), wherein the lighting device (116) extends toward the light transmission portion (104), and wherein the lighting device (116) emits light into the cavity (124), the light being reflected by the inner reflector surface (126) of the reflector portion onto the outer surface (128) of the light transmission portion, and wherein the light is then transmitted through the light transmission portion and into the tunnel to illuminate the tunnel circumferentially in the longitudinal direction.

9. The lighting arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the light transmission portion is located between the first field of view and the second field of view.

10. The lighting arrangement of claim 8, wherein the lighting device comprises at least one LED light strip.

11. The lighting arrangement of claim 8, wherein the illumination of the tunnel by the lighting equipment improves the patient's claustrophobic feelings while in the tunnel.

12. The lighting arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the light-transmitting portion is made of a light-diffusing material.

13. The lighting arrangement of claim 8, wherein the reflector portion is removably attached to the lighting arrangement.

14. A method for illuminating a tunnel in a medical imaging system having cylindrical walls forming a tunnel for receiving a patient to be scanned, wherein the medical imaging system includes a first imaging portion and a second imaging portion having a first field of view and a second field of view, respectively, the method comprising: Provide a light-transmitting portion (104) aligned on the longitudinal axis (22) of the imaging system, wherein the light-transmitting portion forms part of a tunnel; A reflector portion (118) is provided, wherein the reflector portion (118) is radially outward of the light-transmitting portion (104) relative to the longitudinal axis (22) to form a cavity (124), and wherein the reflector portion (118) is tapered toward the longitudinal axis (22); Provides an annular frame portion (102), the outer surface of which (112) includes a circumferentially upright flange portion (114); and At least one lighting device (116) is provided between the reflector portion (118) and the light transmission portion (104), wherein the lighting device (116) is arranged circumferentially on the flange portion (114) and extends toward the light transmission portion (104), and wherein the lighting device emits light into the cavity (124), the light being reflected by the inner reflector surface (126) of the reflector portion (118) to the outer surface (128) of the light transmission portion, wherein the light is then transmitted through the light transmission portion and into the tunnel to illuminate the tunnel circumferentially in the longitudinal direction.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the light transmission portion is located between the first field of view and the second field of view.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the light is provided by a lighting device comprising at least one LED light strip.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the illumination of the tunnel improves the patient's claustrophobic feelings while in the tunnel.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the light-transmitting portion is made of a light-diffusing material.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the reflector portion is removably attached to the light-transmitting portion.

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