Multi-Modality Imaging Alignment Phantom for PET-MRI Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-modality imaging systems face challenges in aligning PET and MRI data due to misregistration caused by mismatched coordinate systems, leading to inaccuracies in image correlation and fusion.
Innovation Solution
An alignment object and method are introduced, featuring target objects with distinct imaging sources for PET and MRI, allowing for the generation of emission and MR image data sets to determine positional alignment vectors, which are used to align the imaging system, ensuring accurate spatial transformation and registration of PET and MRI images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PET and MRI data are acquired using different modality units, then multi-modality imaging capability is achieved, but misalignment of coordinate systems occurs leading to image misregistration
Solution Approach 1:
A phantom object with known geometry is introduced as an intermediary between the PET and MRI coordinate systems. The phantom contains features visible to both modalities, serving as a mediator to establish the spatial transformation relationship between the two different imaging systems, thereby resolving the coordinate system misalignment issue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the different physical parameters detected by PET (radiotracer distribution) and MRI (anatomical structure) within the same phantom object. By changing the detection parameter from one modality to another and comparing the spatial coordinates of identical physical features, the spatial transformation between coordinate systems is determined
2Stability of the object's composition
If the patient lies still on the same table during PET and MRI acquisitions, then patient positioning consistency is maintained, but inherent registration still requires known alignment of coordinate systems
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom object is prepared in advance with known geometric features and placed in the imaging system before patient scanning. The spatial relationship between PET and MRI coordinate systems is determined using the phantom's predefined features, establishing the transformation parameters before actual patient imaging begins
Solution Approach 2:
The phantom provides a physical copy or replica of known spatial features that can be imaged by both PET and MRI systems. By comparing the imaged positions of these known features in both modalities, the coordinate system transformation is derived without requiring complex real-time alignment procedures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise alignment of multi-modality imaging systems, improving the accuracy of image registration and fusion by using target objects with specific imaging sources to calculate positional displacement vectors, thereby correcting misalignment and enhancing diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first imaging source being disposed within the cavity, the first imaging source including a body having a cavity defined therein and an emission responsive material disposed within the first imaging source cavity
Implementation Method 2
a second imaging source being disposed within the cavity, the second imaging source including a body having a cavity defined therein and a magnetic resonance responsive material disposed within the second imaging source cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A target object for aligning a multi-modality imaging system includes a body having a cavity therein, a first imaging source being disposed within the cavity, the first imaging source including a body having a cavity defined therein and an emission responsive material disposed within the first imaging source cavity, the first imaging source having a first shape, and a second imaging source being disposed within the cavity, the second imaging source including a body having a cavity defined therein and a magnetic resonance responsive material disposed within the second imaging source cavity, the second imaging source having a second shape that is different than the first shape. A method of aligning a multi-modality imaging system is also provided.