Thermally stabilized pet detector for hybrid PET-MR system

US8378677B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV · NL

Inventors

• Michael A. Morich · Mentor, US
• Gordon D. DeMeester · Wickliffe, US
• Jerome J. Griesmer · Mentor, US
• Torsten Solf · Aachen, DE
• Volkmar Schulz · Schwarzenbruck, DE
• Bjoern Weissler · Aachen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2008
• Grant date: Feb 19, 2013
• Expiry date: Nov 25, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/481
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In a hybrid PET-MR system, PET detector elements (30) are added in the bore (14), in close proximity to the gradient coils (16). Fluid coolant is supplied to transfer heat from the PET detector elements (30). Thermal insulation (80) insulates the fluid coolant and the PET detector elements (30) from the gradient coils (16). In some embodiments, a first coolant path (90) is in thermal communication with the electronics, a second coolant path (92) is in thermal communication with the light detectors, and a thermal barrier (94, 96) is arranged between the first and second coolant paths such that the first and second coolant paths can be at different temperatures (Te, Td). In some embodiments a sealed heat pipe (110) is in thermal communication with a heat sink such that working fluid in the heat pipe undergoes vaporization/condensation cycling to transfer heat from the detector elements to the heat sink.