title: PET/MRI insert using digital SiPMs: Investigation of MR-compatibility.
abstract: In this work, we present an initial MR-compatibility study performed with the world's first preclinical PET/MR insert based on fully digital silicon photo multipliers (dSiPM). The PET insert allows simultaneous data acquisition of both imaging modalities and thus enables the true potential of hybrid PET/MRI. Since the PET insert has the potential to interfere with all of the MRI's subsystems (strong magnet, gradients system, radio frequency (RF) system) and vice versa, interference studies on both imaging systems are of great importance to ensure an undisturbed operation. As a starting point to understand the interference, we performed signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements as well as dedicated noise scans on the MRI side to characterize the influence of the PET electronics on the MR receive chain. Furthermore, improvements of sub-components' shielding of the PET system are implemented and tested inside the MRI. To study the influence of the MRI on the PET performance, we conducted highly demanding stress tests with gradient and RF dominated MR sequences. These stress tests unveil a sensitivity of the PET's electronics to gradient switching.
authors.affiliation: Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wehner
authors.affiliation: Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany ; Philips Research Europe, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Bjoern
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weissler
authors.affiliation: Philips Research Europe, Aachen, Germany ; King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dueppenbecker
authors.affiliation: King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gebhardt
authors.affiliation: Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schug
authors.affiliation: Philips Research Europe, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ruetten
authors.affiliation: Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kiessling
authors.affiliation: Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems, Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany ; Philips Research Europe, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Volkmar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schulz
keywords: Digital SiPM; MR-compatibility; PET/MRI
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