Pet-mri hybrid apparatus and method of implementing the same

Abstract

There is provided a PET-MRI hybrid apparatus and method for integrating a PET image and an MRI image so that anatomical, hemodynamical and molecular information on human tissues are simultaneously presented in a single image. The PET-MRI hybrid system comprises a first scanner for obtaining anatomical and hemodynamical information, and a second scanner for obtaining molecular and functional information on the human tissues. Along a path between the first scanner and the second scanner, a transferring railway system which includes runs, and a movable bed for supporting a subject installed on the railway. The PET-MRI hybrid system also comprises a “RF+magnetic” shield and a “magnetic” shield between path between the first scanner and the second scanner, which switch between an open status and a close status in a completely synchronized manner to assure a complete magnetic shield for the PET system at any given time. The subject is fastened on the bed and transferred along the railway between the first and second scanner to provide accurately fused MRI and PET images.

1 . An imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner configured to generate magnetic fields proximate to a subject to thereby obtain anatomical and hemodynamical information on the subject; said MRI scanner being vulnerable to external RF fields from an external RF source;   a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner disposed in proximity to said MRI scanner and configured to operate in a way to obtain molecular and functional information on the subject, said PET scanner being vulnerable to the magnetic fields generated by said MRI scanner;   a first shield disposed between said MRI scanner and said PET scanner and including a RF and magnetic shield configured to shield said MRI scanner from the external RF fields and prevent the magnetic fields generated by said MRI scanner from leaking to said PET scanner;   a transferring unit configured to move the subject between said MRI scanner and said PET scanner via said first shield; and   a processor configured to receive the anatomical and hemodynamical information on the subject obtained from said MRI scanner and the molecular and functional information on the subject obtained from said PET scanner to thereby construct a fused image.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second shield including a magnetic shield configured to shield said PET scanner from the magnetic fields generated by said MRI scanner, whereby the magnetic fields generated by said MRI scanner are prevented from reaching said PET scanner. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said PET scanner further includes functionality of a computer tomography scanner. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said transferring unit includes a selectively rotatable portion configured to rotate the subject by a predetermined angle, the selectively rotatable portion being placed between said MRI scanner and said PET scanner. 
     
     
         5 . A method, comprising:
 operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner to generate magnetic fields proximate to a subject to thereby obtain anatomical and hemodynamical information on the subject;   shielding the MRI scanner from external RF fields generated by an external RF source by using a first shield including a RF and magnetic shield, said MRI scanner being vulnerable to the external RF fields and preventing the magnetic fields from leaking to the outside;   moving the subject from a first position in proximity to said MRI scanner to a second position in proximity to a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner via said first shield, said PET scanner being spaced a predetermined distance apart from said MRI scanner;   operating the PET scanner to obtain molecular and functional information on the subject; and   processing the anatomical and hemodynamical information on the subject obtained by the MRI scanner and the molecular and functional information on the subject obtained by the PET scanner to thereby construct a fused image.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said PET scanner further includes functionality of a computer tomography scanner. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein moving the subject comprises moving the subject from the first position to the second position further through a second shield, said second shield including a magnetic shield and configured to further shield said PET scanner from the magnetic fields generated by said MRI scanner to thereby prevent said PET scanner from being reached by the magnetic fields generated by said MRI scanner. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein moving the subject comprises rotating the subject by a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-readable storage medium, storing a program comprising instructions for a computer to perform the method of  claim 5 . 
     
     
         10 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said PET scanner further includes functionality of a computer tomography scanner. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said transferring unit includes a selectively rotatable portion configured to rotate the subject by a predetermined angle, the selectively rotatable portion being placed between said MRI scanner and said PET scanner. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein moving the subject comprises moving the subject from the first position to the second position further through a second shield, said second shield including a magnetic shield and configured to further shield said PET scanner from the magnetic fields generated by said MRI scanner to thereby prevent said PET scanner from being reached by the magnetic fields generated by said MRI scanner. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein moving the subject comprises rotating the subject by a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         14 . A computer-readable storage medium, storing a program comprising instructions for a computer to perform the method of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 providing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, said MRI scanner being vulnerable to external RF fields generated by an external RF source;   providing a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner;   shielding the MRI scanner from the external RF fields by using a first shield including a RF and magnetic shield;   operating the MRI scanner to generate magnetic fields to thereby obtain anatomical and hemodynamical information on a subject, said subject being placed at a first position in proximity to the MRI scanner when operating the MRI scanner and said first shield preventing the magnetic fields from leaking to the outside;   moving the subject from the first position to a second position in proximity to the PET scanner via said first shield, the PET scanner being spaced a predetermined distance apart from the MRI scanner;   operating the PET scanner to obtain molecular and functional information on the subject, said subject being placed at a the second position when operating the PET scanner; and   processing the anatomical and hemodynamical information on the subject obtained by the MRI scanner and the molecular and functional information on the subject obtained by the PET scanner to thereby construct a fused image.