Emission Tomography Attenuation Correction Using MR Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
In combined MR and emission tomography imaging systems, the technical limitations result in incomplete imaging of subjects, leading to inaccurate reconstruction of emission tomography images due to incomplete consideration of body attenuation, as parts outside the MR image field of view are not accurately accounted for.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses raw emission tomography scan data to determine and reconstruct missing parts of the subject, incorporating these into a final attenuation model for accurate emission tomography image reconstruction, potentially without the need for additional imaging devices, by employing non-perfect emission tomography images and 3D deformable surface models to adapt synthetic data to the subject's profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the subject is imaged entirely in the MR scanner field of view, then complete attenuation information is obtained, but the device complexity and imaging time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The subject is divided into two parts: the first part within the MR field of view and the second part outside it. The method segments the attenuation correction task by using the MR image for the visible part and emission tomography data for the clipped part, avoiding the need to image the entire subject in MR.
Solution Approach 2:
The emission tomography scan data serves as an intermediary to retrieve geometry information about the clipped part of the subject. This intermediary data source allows the system to obtain attenuation information without directly imaging the entire subject in MR.
2Measurement precision
If additional imaging devices are used to capture the entire subject, then complete attenuation information is obtained, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emission tomography scanner performs multiple functions: it captures the attenuation information for the clipped part and provides geometry information for reconstructing the missing subject portions. This eliminates the need for separate external imaging devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The emission tomography system uses its own raw scan data to retrieve geometry information and reconstruct the clipped part of the subject. The system serves itself by utilizing its collected data for attenuation correction purposes without requiring external devices.
3Measurement precision
If the MR field of view is expanded to include the entire subject, then complete attenuation information is obtained, but the imaging time and resource utilization increase
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary reconstruction of the clipped part using emission tomography data before final attenuation correction. This preliminary action retrieves necessary geometry information without requiring expanded MR imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of imaging the entire subject in MR, the method uses partial MR imaging of the visible part and supplements it with emission tomography data for the clipped part, achieving complete attenuation information with reduced MR imaging time.
4Measurement precision
If external devices are used to image the entire subject, then complete attenuation information is obtained, but the system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emission tomography system retrieves its own geometry information from raw scan data and uses it to reconstruct the clipped part for attenuation correction. This self-service approach simplifies operation by eliminating the need for external imaging devices and their associated operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an system are disclosed for reconstructing an emission tomography image in a combined MR (magnetic resonance) and emission tomography imaging system. In at least one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an MR image of a subject, the subject being clipped in the MR image; obtaining raw emission tomography scan data of the subject; determining a missing part of the subject clipped in the MR image; using information of the MR image and the determined missing part to obtain a final attenuation model of the subject; and reconstructing the emission tomography image using the raw data and the final attenuation model.