Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing motion related imaging artifacts. The method includes determining an internal motion for of two regions of the object, each region having a different level of motion, scanning the first region using a first scan protocol based on the motion, scanning a second region using a second different scan protocol based on the motion, and generating an image of the object based on the first and second regions.

Abstract: A combined magnetic resonance imager (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imager and a method of performing combined MRI-PET imaging of an object is disclosed herein. The combined MRI-PET imager includes an MRI bore configured to perform MR imaging of the object. The MRI bore is sized so as to provide clearance between the MRI bore and the object within the MRI bore. The dedicated MRI-PET imager further includes a PET detector system is disposed outside the MRI bore to detect PET emissions from the object. The PET detector system includes at least one detector element retractably arranged exterior to the MRI bore. During the PET acquisition, the PET detector elements contract to a size so as to provide optimal clearance between the PET detectors and the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for evaluating the operation of pixelated detectors are provided. The method includes obtaining data values for each of a plurality of pixels of a pixelated detector and determining a data consistency metric for each of the plurality of detector pixels. The method further includes identifying, using the determined data consistency metric, any detector pixels that exceed an acceptance criterion as noisy pixels.

Abstract: A system and method for image-based correction including a receiver to acquire an image from one or more data storage systems, one or more processors to determine an attenuation mismatch estimate and calculate a correction for the image based on the attenuation mismatch estimate and the image, and an output to generate an attenuation mismatch corrected image based on the correction.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine imaging simulator system is provided for simulating nuclear imaging of a target within a phantom using a selected pharmacokinetic model. The system includes a processor assembly having at least one processor receiving a digital phantom model and a digital pharmacokinetic model, and a dynamic integration module executable on the processor assembly for integrating the pharmacokinetic model with the phantom model to generate a dynamic phantom data representing activity of the pharmacokinetic model within the phantom model over simulated time.

Abstract: Systems and method for identifying bone marrow in medical images are provided. A method includes obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) volume data set corresponding to an imaged volume and identifying voxels in the 3D CT volume data set having a Hounsfield Unit (HU) value below a bone threshold. The voxels are identified without using image continuity. The method further includes marking the identified voxels as non-bone voxels, determining definite tissue voxels based on the identified non-bone voxels and expanding a region defined by the definite tissue voxels. The method also includes segmenting the expanded region to identify bone voxels and bone marrow voxels and identifying bone marrow as voxels that are not the bone voxels.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a boundary of an object for positron emission tomography (PET) scatter correction are provided. One method includes obtaining positron emission tomography (PET) data and computed tomography (CT) data for an object. The PET data and CT data is acquired from an imaging system. The method further includes determining a PET data boundary of the object based on the PET data and determining a CT data boundary of the object based on the CT data. The method further includes determining a combined boundary for PET scatter correction. The combined boundary encompasses the PET data boundary and the CT data boundary.

Abstract: A method of imaging is presented. The method includes reconstructing image data acquired at a plurality of time intervals to obtain a plurality of images. Further, the method includes generating a mean image using the plurality of images. The method also includes correcting motion in the mean image or the plurality of images or both the mean image and the plurality of images by iteratively determining convergence of the mean image or the plurality of images or both the mean image and the plurality of images to generate a converged mean image, a converged plurality of images, or both a converged mean image and a converged plurality of images.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and reconstructing a computed tomography (CT) image is provided. A first scan of the full field of view (FOV) is acquired. A second scan of a smaller target FOV is then acquired by using a collimator to narrow the X-ray beam width. The CT image is iteratively reconstructed by replacing a key-hole region of the full FOV projection data with the target FOV projection data. An exemplary embodiment comprises imaging a heart (target FOV) within a torso (full FOV) over multiple heart beat cycles. A computer readable medium is further provided, including a program configured to reconstruct a CT image using the key-hole method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing motion related imaging artifacts. The method includes determining an internal motion for of two regions of the object, each region having a different level of motion, scanning the first region using a first scan protocol based on the motion, scanning a second region using a second different scan protocol based on the motion, and generating an image of the object based on the first and second regions.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for evaluating the operation of pixelated detectors are provided. The method includes obtaining data values for each of a plurality of pixels of a pixelated detector and determining a data consistency metric for each of the plurality of detector pixels. The method further includes identifying, using the determined data consistency metric, any detector pixels that exceed an acceptance criterion as noisy pixels.

Abstract: A method and system for segmenting structures such as lesions in an image is provided. The method comprises selecting one seed inside a lesion in an image either by a user or automatically. The method further includes deriving a directionally statistical model based on a background region or a foreground region of the lesion and determining candidate voxels along a radial direction. The candidate voxels represent the lesion. The method further includes segmenting the lesion using the candidate voxels.

Abstract: Methods for performing image reconstruction that include deriving background projection data for an area outside a targeted field of view of a tomographic image, and reconstructing the tomographic image of the targeted field of view, wherein the background projection data is used in the reconstruction. Methods for selecting a reconstruction methodology that include determining a number of pixels in a reconstructed image for a first reconstruction methodology, determining a number of pixels in a reconstructed image for a second reconstruction methodology, comparing the number of pixels for the first reconstruction methodology and the number of pixels for the second reconstruction methodology, and selecting the reconstruction methodology for image reconstruction based on the comparison of the number of pixels. Imaging systems implementing these methods are also provided.

Abstract: An imaging method comprises reconstructing gated emission tomography images for a region of interest, adjusting a mismatch between the gated emission tomography images and a computed tomography image of the region of interest, registering the gated emission tomography images, and combining the registered gated emission tomography images to generate motion corrected images.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and reconstructing a computed tomography (CT) image is provided. A first scan of the full field of view (FOV) is acquired. A second scan of a smaller target FOV is then acquired by using a collimator to narrow the X-ray beam width. The CT image is iteratively reconstructed by replacing a key-hole region of the full FOV projection data with the target FOV projection data. An exemplary embodiment comprises imaging a heart (target FOV) within a torso (full FOV) over multiple heart beat cycles. A computer readable medium is further provided, including a program configured to reconstruct a CT image using the key-hole method.

Abstract: A system and method for image-based correction including a receiver to acquire an image from one or more data storage systems, one or more processors to determine an attenuation mismatch estimate and calculate a correction for the image based on the attenuation mismatch estimate and the image, and an output to generate an attenuation mismatch corrected image based on the correction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging a patient are provided. The method includes determining a location of a volume of interest within the patient and acquiring a plurality of frames of emission data, at least one frame including the volume of interest. The method further includes determining a time-of-flight (TOF) information of at least a portion of the annihilations detected along a line of response between corresponding coincidence detectors and generating an image of the patient from the emission data using the determined TOF information.

Abstract: Methods for performing image reconstruction that include deriving background projection data for an area outside a targeted field of view of a tomographic image, and reconstructing the tomographic image of the targeted field of view, wherein the background projection data is used in the reconstruction. Methods for selecting a reconstruction methodology that include determining a number of pixels in a reconstructed image for a first reconstruction methodology, determining a number of pixels in a reconstructed image for a second reconstruction methodology, comparing the number of pixels for the first reconstruction methodology and the number of pixels for the second reconstruction methodology, and selecting the reconstruction methodology for image reconstruction based on the comparison of the number of pixels. Imaging systems implementing these methods are also provided.

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: 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.