Insert device for enhancing PET and MRI images

1. An insert device for enhancing PET and MRI images of an object produced from an integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner, the insert device comprising:

a device housing positionable within the integrated PET and MRI imaging scanner;

an insert RF surface coil for detecting radio-frequency signals, the insert RF surface coil being located within the device housing and configured to detect RF signals generated after application of an electromagnetic field by a main RF coil of the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner to improve an MRI imaging resolution of the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner; and

an insert gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting gamma-ray photons, the insert gamma-ray photon detector array being located within the device housing and configured to detect a gamma-ray photon from a positron annihilation event opposite to a corresponding gamma-ray photon from the same positron annihilation event detected with a main gamma-ray photon detector included in the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner, wherein the detected gamma-ray photon and the corresponding detected gamma-ray photon are used to construct a line of response with enhanced accuracy to improve a PET imaging resolution of the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner; and

a mounting unit configured to position the insert gamma-ray photon detector array closer to the object than the main gamma-ray photon detector and further configured to position the insert RF surface coil closer to the object than the main RF coil within the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner.

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. An integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner for imaging an object, the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner comprising:

a main RF coil for generating radio-frequency signals;

a main gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting gamma-ray photons; and

an insert device for selectively positioning an insert RF surface coil and an insert gamma-ray photon detector array in the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner, wherein the insert comprises:

a device housing;

the insert RF surface coil for detecting radio-frequency signals, the insert RF surface coil being located within the device housing and configured to detect RF signals generated after application of an electromagnetic field by the main RF coil to improve an MRI imaging resolution of the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner;

the insert gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting gamma-ray photons, the insert gamma-ray photon detector array being located within the device housing and configured to detect a gamma-ray photon from a positron annihilation event opposite to a corresponding gamma-ray photon from the same positron annihilation event detected with the main gamma-ray photon detector, wherein the detected gamma-ray photon and the corresponding detected gamma-ray photon are used to construct a line of response with enhanced accuracy to improve a PET imaging resolution of the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner; and

a mounting unit configured to position the insert gamma-ray photon detector array closer to the object than the main gamma-ray photon detector and further configured to position the insert RF surface coil closer to the object than the main RF coil within the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner.

6. The integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner as set forth in claim 5 , the scanner further comprising a second main gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting gamma-ray photons, wherein the mounting unit is further configured to position the insert gamma-ray photon array closer to the object than the second main gamma-ray photon detector array during scanning.

7. A method for imaging an object by use of an integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner, the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner comprising a main RF coil for generating radio-frequency signals and a main gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting gamma-ray photons, the method comprising:

positioning an insert device for enhancing PET and MRI images in the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner, the insert device comprising:

a device housing;

an insert RF surface coil for detecting radio-frequency signals, the insert RF surface coil being located within the device housing and configured to detect RF signals generated after application of an electromagnetic field by the main RF coil to improve an MRI imaging resolution of the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner, wherein the insert RF surface coil is positioned closer to the object than the main RF coil; and

an insert gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting gamma-ray photons, the insert gamma-ray photon detector array being located within the device housing and configured to detect a gamma-ray photon from a positron annihilation event opposite to a corresponding gamma-ray photon from the same positron annihilation event detected with the main gamma-ray photon detector, wherein the detected gamma-ray photon and the corresponding detected gamma-ray photon are used to construct a line of response with enhanced accuracy to improve a PET imaging resolution of the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner, wherein the insert gamma-ray photon detector array is positioned closer to the object than the main gamma-ray photon detector;

positioning an object to be imaged within the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner; and

scanning the object.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the object is scanned by:

generating RF signals from the main RF coil;

detecting RF signals on the insert RF surface coil;

detecting gamma-ray photons on the main gamma-ray photon detector array; and

detecting gamma-ray photons on the insert gamma-ray photon detector array.

9. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the scanner further comprises a second main gamma-ray photon detector array for detecting gamma-ray photons, and the method further includes positioning the insert gamma-ray photon detector array closer to the object than the second main gamma-ray photon detector array.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the second main gamma-ray photon detector array is inoperable during scanning.

11. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the second main gamma-ray photon detector array is operable during scanning.

12. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the integrated PET-MRI imaging scanner comprises a processing unit for producing images of the object, based upon electronic signals generated upon detection of RF signals by the insert RF surface coil and upon detecting gamma-ray photons on the main and insert gamma-ray photon detector arrays being transmitted to the processor.

13. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the insert device comprises a processor configured to receive electronic signals generated upon detection of RF signals by the insert RF surface coil and upon detecting gamma-ray photons on the main and insert gamma-ray photon detector arrays.

14. The method as set forth in claim 7 comprising incorporating a radioactive tracer into the object prior to scanning.

15. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the scanner is configured for scanning a whole human body.