My PhD dissertation - Evaluate PET/MRI system interactions

The main focus of my research has been to identify the electromagnetic interference (EMI) between the two; understand the source of EMI and minimize (more importantly, eliminate) these interactions to obtain uncompromised PET and MRI data simultaneously. In other words, MR images should not be influenced or contaminated during PET operation. PET information should not lose the sensitivity and retain quantitative information. The work also focuses on identifying the margins of electromagnetic compatibility during simultaneous PET/MRI operation.

Research work involves:
• Understanding PET and MR imaging physics, instrumentation, hardware, firmware, data acquisition, image processing and quality assessment, analysis and co-registration (fusion) of PET/MR images.

• Designing and conducting feasibility experiments, and performing trade-off analysis by implementing shielding and grounding topologies to evaluate the electromagnetic field interactions between PET and MRI systems to quantify the impact of one system over the other, when operated simultaneously.

• Specifically analyzing the PET signal integrity during MRI acquisition. Identifying if the interference on PET is due to gradient or radiofrequency (RF) fields. Also, the impact on the field homogeneity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in MR images in the presence of PET system.

• Characterizing the PET system and detector setup in MRI environment.

• Testing custom-built MRI coils on the workbench using (network/spectrum/impedance analyzer) that fit inside the PET system.