Abstract: A system is provided that includes at least one detector and a processing unit. The at least one detector is configured to acquire imaging information. The processing unit is operably coupled to the at least one detector, and is configured to acquire the imaging information from the at least one detector. The processing unit is configured to acquire patient scanning information for an imaging operation, determine a target activity based on the patient scanning information, determine a target time for performing the imaging operation corresponding to the target activity, perform the imaging operation at the target time to acquire targeted imaging information; and reconstruct an image using the targeted imaging information.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes at least one detector and a processing unit. The at least one detector is configured to acquire imaging information. The processing unit is operably coupled to the at least one detector, and is configured to acquire the imaging information from the at least one detector. The processing unit is configured to acquire patient scanning information for an imaging operation, determine a target activity based on the patient scanning information, determine a target time for performing the imaging operation corresponding to the target activity, perform the imaging operation at the target time to acquire targeted imaging information; and reconstruct an image using the targeted imaging information.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for aligning components of a multi-modality imaging system. In one embodiment, a method comprises performing a plurality of scans of an object with a first modality and a second modality, wherein the object is positioned in a different orientation in each of the plurality of scans, calculating a plurality of alignment parameters of a first modality unit and a second modality unit based on the plurality of scans, and adjusting alignment of the first modality unit and the second modality unit based on the plurality of alignment parameters. In this way, components of a multi-modality imaging system may be accurately aligned using any phantom from which a unique line can be extracted in each modality scan.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for aligning components of a multi-modality imaging system. In one embodiment, a method comprises performing a plurality of scans of an object with a first modality and a second modality, wherein the object is positioned in a different orientation in each of the plurality of scans, calculating a plurality of alignment parameters of a first modality unit and a second modality unit based on the plurality of scans, and adjusting alignment of the first modality unit and the second modality unit based on the plurality of alignment parameters. In this way, components of a multi-modality imaging system may be accurately aligned using any phantom from which a unique line can be extracted in each modality scan.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for correcting emission data from Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or SPECT includes generating a plurality of computed tomography (CT) image data, selecting a portion of the CT image data, processing the selected CT data to generate a plurality of attenuation correction (CTAC) factors at the appropriate energy of the emission data, weighting the CTAC factors to generate an emission attenuation correction map wherein the weights are determined based on the axial location and the slice thickness of the CT data and the axial location and the slice thickness of the PET or SPECT data, and utilizing the generated attenuation correction map to generate an attenuation corrected PET image.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a technique for reconstructing PET scan images. According to one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for reconstructing PET scan images. The method comprises: detecting a plurality of coincidence events in a PET scanner; storing data associated with the plurality of coincidence events in a chronological list based on a detection time for each of the plurality of coincidence events; generating correction data based on scatter coincidence events and random coincidence events in the plurality of coincidence events; and reconstructing one or more PET scan images based at least in part on the chronological list of data and the correction data.

Abstract: A method and system for reconstructing an image in a time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) system is provided. The method includes using a reconstructed image to determine predicted timing information. Timing bias data is updated based on received timing information associated with acquired scan data from a PET system and the predicted timing information. The method further includes reconstructing the image, based on the updated timing bias data.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a positron emission tomography (PET) system is disclosed. The method includes acquiring image data and time-of-flight information from a PET system during an imaging scan. Further, the method includes performing scatter correction on the image data using the time-of-flight information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing scatter correction in a positron emission tomography (PET) system are provided. The method includes determining a look-up table of scatter sinograms during a PET acquisition scan period. The method further includes scatter correcting acquired scan data obtained during the PET acquisition scan period.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a positron emission tomography (PET) system are provided. The method includes receiving timing information from a PET system during an imaging scan using the PET system. The method further includes processing the received timing information and timing bias information relating to the PET system to control the PET system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating a positron emission tomography (PET) system are provided. The method includes determining at least one non-acquisition time period for the PET system. The method further includes automatically acquiring calibration data during the at least one non-acquisition time period.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging by using a filter for Time-Of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography (TOF PET) are described. The described methods of imaging a patient by using a positron emission tomography (PET) system includes acquiring a plurality of frames of sinogram data, filtering the acquired sinogram data and back-projecting the filtered sinogram data to form an output image of the patient. The acquired sinogram data defines a line of response (LOR) and a time-of-flight (TOF) measurement that localizes positron annihilation within the patient. The filtering of the acquired sinogram data is performed using the TOF measurement.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for timing calibration in a PET scanner. According to one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for timing calibration in a PET scanner having a plurality of scintillator blocks. The method comprises: detecting, in a first scintillator block, a first radiation event, wherein the first scintillator block time-stamps the first radiation event; detecting, in a second scintillator block that is adjacent to the first scintillator block, a second radiation event that corresponds to the first radiation event, wherein the second scintillator block time-stamps the second radiation event; and determining a timing characteristic of the first scintillator block with respect to the second scintillator block based on a comparison between the time-stamps of the first radiation event and the second radiation event.

Abstract: Methods and systems for image overlap correction are provided. The method includes acquiring the emission projection data from a plurality of scan frames that extend across at least a portion of a length of an object being imaged wherein elements of the object lie between a region of overlap between two successive frames. The method further includes iteratively reconstructing a 3D image volume from multi-frame emission projection data by updating an estimate of 3D image volume using emission projection data from the plurality of frames within an iterative reconstruction loop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a patient is provided. The method includes receiving patient information, automatically selecting an imaging protocol based on the received information, and performing an imaging scan of the patient using the automatically selected imaging protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for normalization of a positron emission tomography system are provided. The method includes determining a plurality of block busy fractions for a positron emission tomography system and using the determined block busy fractions to provide correction during normalization of the positron emission tomography system.

Abstract: A method and system for normalization of a positron emission tomography system is provided. The method includes acquiring three-dimensional normalization scan data from a positron emission tomography system with at least one septum and determining a down-sampling factor based in part on the configuration of the at least one septum. The method further includes modifying the three-dimensional normalization scan data using the down-sampling factor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for analyzing at least one abnormality of an object is described. The method includes obtaining a first image containing an abnormality using a first modality, obtaining a second image containing the abnormality using-a second modality, selecting a first region of interest located within the first image, determining an anatomical size of the abnormality based on the first region of interest in the first image, and determining a relative metabolic activity based on a second region of interest within the second image.