Data processing unit integration for MR-PET imaging

1. An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system comprising: an MR scanner comprising a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned;

a set of PET detectors disposed between the opening and the magnet; and

a plurality of data processing units, each data processing unit being configured for communication with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors;

wherein each data processing unit comprises an RF shield housing; and

wherein the RF shield housings of the plurality of data processing units are disposed in a symmetrical arrangement relative to the opening,

wherein the plurality of data processing units are disposed along an end face of the MR scanner and oriented in a plane in parallel with the end face, and wherein the plurality of data processing units are spaced from the MR scanner by a gap between the end face of the MR scanner and the plane in which the plurality of data processing units are oriented.

2. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein each data processing unit is disposed adjacent the MR scanner.

3. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein each data processing unit is disposed along an end face of the MR scanner having the opening.

4. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data processing units are arranged in a planar orientation along an end face of the MR scanner and transverse to an axis of the magnet.

5. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein the opening is cylindrical, and wherein the symmetrical arrangement orients each data processing unit on a radial line from a center axis of the opening.

6. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein the RF shield housing of each data processing unit has tapered, opposite sides.

7. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data processing units are disposed in a disc-shaped arrangement.

8. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data processing units are disposed an equal distance from a center of the opening with each data processing unit radially spaced about the opening, the plurality of data processing units being distributed in a ring around the opening and in a single layer.

9. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein the RF shield housing of each data processing unit is disposed within a sector of a disc-shaped arrangement disposed around the magnet opening.

10. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data processing units are spaced from the MR scanner by a gap.

11. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data processing units are galvanically isolated from one another.

12. An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system comprising:

an MR scanner comprising a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned;

a set of PET detectors disposed adjacent to the opening; and

a plurality of data processing units in electrical communication with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors,

wherein the data processing units are each disposed along different radial lines extending outward from the opening,

wherein the plurality of data processing units are disposed along an end face of the MR scanner and oriented in a plane in parallel with the end face, and wherein the plurality of data processing units are spaced from the MR scanner by a gap between the end face of the MR scanner and the plane in which the plurality of data processing units are oriented.

13. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 12 , wherein each data processing unit is disposed adjacent the MR scanner.

14. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 12 , wherein each data processing unit is disposed along an end face of the MR scanner having the opening.

15. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of data processing units are arranged in a planar orientation along an end face of the MR scanner and transverse to an axis of the magnet.

16. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 12 , further comprising an RF shield housing for each data processing unit, the RF shield housings having opposite sides that are tapered for positioning adjacent each other in a curved pattern around the opening.

17. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of data processing units are disposed in a disc-shaped arrangement.

18. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of data processing units are disposed an equal distance from a center of the opening, with each data processing unit radially spaced about the opening, and the plurality of data processing units distributed in a ring around the opening and in a single layer.

19. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 12 , wherein each data processing unit is disposed within a sector of a disc-shaped arrangement disposed around the magnet opening.

20. The integrated MR and PET system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of data processing units are galvanically isolated from one another.

21. A method of integrating magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging comprising:

conducting an MR scan operation in an RF cabin with an MR scanner comprising a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned;

generating a set of PET detector signals during a PET scan operation with a set of PET detectors disposed about the opening;

communicating the PET detector signals to data processing units arranged symmetrically around the opening at an end of the MR scanner; and

digitizing the set of PET detector signals with the data processing units in the RF cabin,

wherein communicating the PET detector signals comprises communication over cables of equal length from the PET detectors to the respective data processing units, the data processing units being disposed along an end face of the MR scanner and oriented in a plane in parallel with the end face, the method further comprising adjusting a gap between the end face of the MR scanner and the plane in which the plurality of discrete, RF shielded data processing units are oriented.