MR-PET Plug Connector Positioning to Avoid PET Beam Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic Resonance Positron Emission Tomography (MR-PET) devices face signal attenuation and image artifacts due to hardware components in the PET photon beam path, which existing attenuation correction methods do not fully address, leading to suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
An MR-PET device with a patient table and a plug connection unit featuring a detachable plug connection element that can be automatically adjusted using a motor unit, guide element, and force sensor to position the plug connection element outside the PET device's field of view, minimizing interference and ensuring precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware components are located in the beam path of PET photons, then connection functionality is maintained, but signal attenuation occurs leading to image artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The connector element is made movable along the patient table via a motor unit and guide element, allowing dynamic repositioning between a first position (outside beam path) and a second position (in beam path or intermediate positions), resolving the contradiction between maintaining connection functionality and avoiding signal attenuation
Solution Approach 2:
A force sensor acts as an intermediary to detect tensile forces on the transmission element, enabling the control unit to automatically adjust the connector position and prevent cable damage, ensuring reliable connection while maintaining optimal positioning
2Device complexity
If manual adjustment of connector position is used, then device complexity is reduced, but time consumption for positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor unit and control unit automatically position the connector element in advance before the PET scan begins, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustment during the examination setup while keeping the adjustment mechanism relatively simple
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
This solution effectively reduces image artifacts, enhances image quality, and prevents tracer decay by efficiently positioning external devices, thus avoiding additional radiation exposure and reducing the time required for setup.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment unit has a motor unit connected to the at least one plug-in connection element
Implementation Method 2
a force sensor for detecting a tensile force acting on the transmission element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an MR-PET device with a patient table and a connector unit, which has at least one connector element arranged on the patient table, wherein the at least one connector element is designed to form a detachable connection with a corresponding connector element of an external device, wherein a position of the at least one connector element is adjustable and the connector unit has an adjustment unit for automatically adjusting a target position of the at least one connector element on the patient table.