Tomographic Apparatus with Displaceable PET Ring for High-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combined PET and CT or MRI tomographic apparatuses for human and primate brain or limb examinations face limitations in resolution due to large examination space diameters, requiring subjects to move significantly between scans, and have configuration constraints that restrict optimal placement of imaging components.
Innovation Solution
A tomographic apparatus with a PET ring and a second imaging arrangement, such as a CT or MRI, are arranged coaxially around the examination space, allowing the PET ring to be displaced between operational and non-operational states to enable simultaneous or minimally invasive imaging without subject movement, with the PET ring being dimensioned for better resolution and the CT or MRI components optimized for clear imaging fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large-diameter examination space is used for human whole-body scans, then the apparatus is suitable for whole-body scanning, but the resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The examination space is segmented into different functional zones: a large-diameter outer region for whole-body scanning and a smaller inner examination space for high-resolution brain/limb imaging. This allows the same apparatus to provide both whole-body scanning capability and high-resolution imaging by using different spatial regions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the PET ring and CT components are arranged along the same circumferential region, then the apparatus can perform both scans, but the PET detector cannot be ring-shaped due to overlapping fields of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The PET detectors are arranged in a ring shape around the examination space, utilizing the full 360-degree circumferential space. The CT components are positioned at specific angular positions within this ring arrangement. This dimensional arrangement allows both PET and CT to operate simultaneously without field overlap, enabling full-ring PET detection while maintaining CT imaging capability.
3Measurement precision
If the PET scanner ring is disposed behind the CT scanner in NeuroPET-CT devices, then brain imaging is possible, but the PET scanner ring has a considerably large blind area
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the PET ring behind the CT scanner (linear arrangement), the invention inverts the spatial relationship by positioning the CT scanner within the PET ring's circumferential space. This allows PET detectors to surround the examination space on all sides, eliminating blind areas while the CT scanner operates within the same space, achieving complete 360-degree PET detection coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-resolution PET and CT or MRI scans of the brain or limbs with reduced subject movement and improved component configuration, allowing for more efficient and advantageous imaging without the need for extensive subject repositioning.
Implementation Method 1
a PET (positron emission tomography) ring
Implementation Method 2
a CT (computed tomography) arrangement having a radiation source and a detector corresponding to the radiation source
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a tomographic apparatus, in particular for examining a brain or a limb of a human and/or a primate animal, the apparatus (10) comprising an examination space (16) adapted for receiving a subject of a tomographic examination, and a PET ring (12) and a second imaging arrangement, being arranged around the examination space (16) in a substantially coaxial manner. The tomographic apparatus according to the invention comprises a PET ring (12) being displaceable between a PET operational state and a PET non-operational state, and comprises a second imaging arrangement adapted for being brought from a second imaging non-operational state to a second imaging operational state in the PET non-operational state of the PET ring (12).