MR compatibility assesment of the edgeless preclinical PET insert: ScintoTube

The combination of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) constitutes a promising hybrid molecular imaging modality as it takes advantage of both the high sensitivity of PET for metabolic processes with the detailed anatomical and functional information from MRI.Simultaneous PET/MRI became a reality during the last decade and has already impacted the preclinical (small animal) field. This hybrid modality allows acquisition of perfectly registered images from both systems in a single session and thus, enables one to study different conditions and to develop accurate disease models that may help answering relevant question in the medical area. Yet, further improvements in the detector technology are still needed to completely exploit the advantages provided by these hybrid systems.Seeking the next generation of preclinical PET/MRI, we have proposed a novel PET insert design (ScintoTube) based on a single scintillator annulus to avoid gaps between detectors and thus, promote sensitivity while enhancing image resolution. We have already constructed the ScintoTube and it demonstrates excellent imaging capabilities.In this work we focus on the assessment of its MR-compatibility and on its validation to serve as an insert. The system has been evaluated inside both 7T and 9.4T Bruker MRI systems. The reported results demonstrate that there are no interferences between the systems. Hence, the ScintoTube is an attractive option for the next generation of preclinical PET/MRI.