Attenuation Estimation of MRI hardware in high resolution PET-MRI

1)研究背景的简要描述，包括潜在的影响正电子发射断层扫描-磁共振成像（PET-MRI）是一种最近开发的成像技术，结合了PET的代谢和功能信息与MRI的灵活性。需要定量PET图像来指导患者的诊断和治疗。为了获得准确的值，必须知道PET伽马光子穿过的任何物体的位置和密度，包括靠近身体的MRI接收器线圈。然而，这些线圈通常不会出现在MRI图像中，并且挑战在于估计它们的位置和它们对PET光子的衰减。这个问题对于PET-MRI系统变得更加相关，PET-MRI系统已经改善了PET的飞行时间和空间分辨率。2）目的和目标本项目的主要目的是通过开发和评估PET衰减校正方法来改善PET量化，该方法考虑了在标准采集协议中不可见或位置不确定的MRI硬件。待研究的方法包括先进的PET图像重建方法，包括衰减估计、先进的MRI序列、MRI线圈灵敏度估计、柔性体线圈的形状和变形建模、用于监测位置的光学相机。目的是开发临床实用和稳健的方法，并可与一系列可用的PET示踪剂一起使用。3)新奇的研究方法体线圈已在很大程度上被忽略的文献，因为他们是为低衰减设计。但是，它们确实会影响较新PET/MR系统的PET图像质量。该方法将建立在UCL以前完成的与头部和肺部衰减估计相关的工作基础上，使用先进的逆问题技术和深度学习。4）与EPSRC的战略和研究领域保持一致该项目符合EPSRC的医疗技术战略。在解决优化治疗的挑战，通过使用新的计算和数学技术。该项目将研究新的成像技术。5）任何参与西门子医疗保健的公司或合作者

1) Brief description of the context of the research including potential impactPositron Emission Tomography - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET-MRI) is a recently developed imaging technique that combines the metabolic and functional information from PET with the flexibility of MRI. Quantitative PET images are needed to guide patient diagnosis and treatment. To get accurate values, it is essential to know the location and density of any objects through which the PET gamma photons travel, including the MRI receiver coils close to the body. However, these coils are not usually seen in the MRI images and the challenge is to estimate their location and their attenuation of PET photons. This problem is becoming more relevant for PET-MRI systems that have improved time-of-flight and spatial resolution for PET.2) Aims and ObjectivesThe primary aim of this project is to improve PET quantification by developing and evaluating PET attenuation correction methods that account for MRI hardware that is not visible in standard acquisition protocols or has uncertain location. Methods to be investigated include advanced PET image reconstruction methods that incorporate estimation of attenuation, advanced MRI sequences, MRI coil sensitivity estimates, shape and deformation modelling of flexible body coils, optical cameras to monitor location. The intention is to develop methods that are clinically practical and robust, and can be used with a range of available PET tracers. 3) Novelty of Research MethodologyBody coils have largely been ignored in the literature as they are designed for low attenuation. However, they do affect PET image quality for newer PET/MR systems. The method will build on previous work completed at UCL related to attenuation estimation for the head and lung, using advanced inverse problem techniques and deep learning.4) Alignment to EPSRC's strategies and research areasThis project fits in the healthcare technologies strategy of EPSRC. At addresses the Optimising treatment challenge by using novel computational and mathematical techniques. The project will investigate novel imaging technologies.5) Any companies or collaborators involvedSiemens Healthcare