Insert device for enhancing pet and mri images

Abstract

Insert devices that include a RF surface coil and gamma-ray photon detector array for enhancing PET and MRI images produced from integrated PET-MRI scanners are disclosed. Integrated PET-MRI scanners that include such insert devices as well of methods for scanning an object by use of such devices are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An insert device for enhancing PET and MRI images produced from an integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner, the device comprising:
 a device housing;   an RF surface coil for detecting radio-frequency signals, the RF surface coil being located within the housing; and   gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting positrons, the gamma-ray photon detector array being located within the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The insert device as set forth in  claim 1 , the insert device being annular or semi-spherical. 
     
     
         3 . The insert device as set forth in  claim 1 , the insert device being semi-circular. 
     
     
         4 . The insert device as set forth in  claim 1 , the insert device being planar. 
     
     
         5 . The insert device as set forth in  claim 1 , the device being part of a system for enhancing PET and MRI images, the system further comprising a mounting unit for positioning the gamma-ray photon detector array and RF surface coil into an integrated PET-MRI imagining scanner. 
     
     
         6 . An integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner for imaging an object, the scanner comprising:
 a main RF coil for generating radio-frequency signals;   a first gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting positrons;   a RF surface coil for detecting radio-frequency signals; and   a second gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting positrons.   
     
     
         7 . The integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner as set forth in  claim 6 , the scanner comprising an insert device for reversibly positioning the second RF surface coil and the second gamma-ray photon detector array in the scanner, the insert device comprising:
 a device housing;   the RF surface coil, the RF surface coil being located within the housing; and   the second gamma-ray photon detector array, the second gamma-ray photon detector array being located within the housing.   
     
     
         8 . The integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner as set forth in  claim 7 , the scanner comprising a mounting unit for positioning the second gamma-ray photon detector array and RF surface coil in the scanner. 
     
     
         9 . The integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the second gamma-ray photon detector array is closer to the subject than the first gamma-ray photon detector array during scanning. 
     
     
         10 . The integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner as set forth in  claim 6 , the scanner comprising a third gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting positrons, the second gamma-ray photon array being closer to the object than the third gamma-ray photon detector array during scanning. 
     
     
         11 . A method for imagining an object by use of an integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner, the integrated PET-MRI scanner comprising a main RF coil for generating radio-frequency signals and a first gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting positrons, the method comprising:
 positioning an insert device for enhancing PET and MRI images in the scanner, the device comprising:
 a device housing; 
 an RF surface coil for detecting radio-frequency signals, the RF surface coil being located within the housing; and 
 a second gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting positrons, the gamma-ray photon detector array being located within the housing; 
   positioning an object to be imaged within the scanner; and   scanning the object.   
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the object is scanned by:
 generating RF signals from the main RF coil; 
 detecting RF signals on the RF surface coil; 
 detecting positrons on the first gamma-ray photon detector array; and 
 detecting positrons on the second gamma-ray photon detector array. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the scanner comprises a third gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting positrons, the second gamma-ray photon detector array being closer to the object than the third gamma-ray photon detector array during scanning. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the third gamma-ray photon detector array is inoperable during scanning. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the third gamma-ray photon detector array is operable during scanning. 
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the scanner comprises a processing unit for producing images of the object, the electronic signals generated upon detection of RF signals by the RF surface coil and upon detecting positrons on the first and second gamma-ray photon detector being transmitted to the processor. 
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the insert device comprises a processor, the electronic signals generated upon detection of RF signals by the RF surface coil and upon detecting positrons on the first and second gamma-ray photon detector being transmitted to the processor. 
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  comprising incorporating a radioactive tracer into the object prior to scanning. 
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the scanner is sized and shaped for scanning a whole human body.