PET Detector Gap Arrangement for MR Bore Fit and Artifact Reduction

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning PET detectors non-uniformly around the bore, with deliberately larger gaps at specific angular positions corresponding to high-density materials. This asymmetric arrangement allows the detector array to accommodate the fixed bore diameter within the MR magnet while minimizing gaps in regions where they would not interfere with imaging quality.

The patent implements local quality by varying the gap size between detectors based on their angular position. Detectors positioned away from high-density materials have smaller gaps to maintain imaging quality, while detectors near high-density materials have larger gaps to avoid alignment with attenuation sources. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between minimizing overall gaps and fitting within the constrained diameter.

The asymmetric detector arrangement allows the system to maintain a larger bore diameter for patient comfort while compensating for increased gaps through strategic positioning. By placing larger gaps at specific angular positions away from critical imaging regions, the system achieves maximum bore diameter without sacrificing overall PET imaging quality.

The patent applies local quality by optimizing gap sizes at different angular positions rather than uniformly minimizing all gaps. This allows the system to maximize bore diameter while maintaining acceptable imaging quality in critical regions by having smaller gaps where they matter most for image formation.

The patent extracts the problem of high-density material interference by deliberately positioning detector gaps to align with the locations of shielded cables and support structures. This extraction removes the interfering materials from the active detection zones, eliminating scatter issues and positioning uncertainties without requiring complex attenuation correction for moving components.

The patent converts the harmful effect of high-density materials into a beneficial arrangement by positioning detector gaps to align with cable and support structure locations. This transforms the potential source of artifacts into a structured design feature where the gaps naturally accommodate necessary infrastructure, turning a constraint into an advantage for system integration.

The asymmetric positioning strategy allows the system to maintain compact overall dimensions while creating localized clearance between detectors and high-density materials. By positioning gaps at specific angular locations, the system achieves compactness in the radial direction while maintaining adequate spacing in angular directions where high-density materials are present.

The patent applies local quality by optimizing the spatial relationship between detectors and high-density materials at different angular positions. Detectors are positioned with appropriate spacing from attenuation sources where needed, while maintaining system compactness in regions where high-density materials are absent, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and avoiding harmful effects.