MR Compatibility Evaluation of a BrainPET Insert for UHF-MR Systems and Neuroscientific Applications

In this work, the results of a mutual MR/PET interference evaluation for an UHF-MRI compatible BrainPET insert for multimodal and multiparametric neuroscientific imaging applications are presented. The BrainPET insert has spatial resolution of 1.8 mm over the entire brain, peak sensitivity of 57.2 kcps/MBq (with transceiver array), and a peak NECR of 414 kcps at 12 kBq/ml when operated outside the MR scanner. For MR imaging, a Siemens Magnetom Terra 7T MR scanner together with a PET-compatible 8-channel self-shielded transceiver array is used. First RF interference measurements showed that the power supply and PET modules design seems appropriate and potentially does not lead to RF power emission within the relevant frequency band of +/- 250 kHz around the Larmor frequency. A complete assessment of MR interference between the 7T MR system, the coil array and the PET system, including MR image quality and PET subsystem performance with running MR system will be shown at the conference.