WO2014019351A1

WO2014019351A1 - Multimodal molecular image imaging device for small animal and imaging method

Info

Publication number: WO2014019351A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/071068
Authority: WO
Inventors: 任秋实; 卢闫晔; 杨昆; 郭铭冰; 庞博; 周克迪; 张秋实
Original assignee: 北京大学
Priority date: 2012-08-02
Filing date: 2013-01-29
Publication date: 2014-02-06
Also published as: CN102764138B; CN102764138A

Abstract

A multimodal molecular image imaging device for a small animal and an imaging method therefor. The multimodal molecular image imaging device for a small animal comprises: an X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) system (3), a positron emission tomography (PET) system (2), a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system (4), a fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) system (1), a rotary rack system (5), a small animal bed system (6), a data acquisition system and a computer. Each imaging system is sampled by the data acquisition system through a data line for being stored in the computer. Each imaging system shares one small animal bed system (6) and one and the same examination shaft. The device acquires an X-ray CT/PET/SPECT/FMT tetramodal co-rack fused molecular medical image, can realize the complementation of advantages of different image equipment, and allows the image result acquired to be more precise and more reliable.

Description

Multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging device and imaging method

The present invention relates to the field of biomedical imaging, and in particular to a multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging device and an imaging method. Background technique

As the most advanced imaging technology in the field of biomedical engineering, molecular medical imaging technology is the application of imaging methods to the qualitative and quantitative study of biological processes in living conditions at the cellular and molecular levels, at the molecular level of biological physiology, pathology The changes are made in real-time, dynamic, in vivo, non-invasive imaging techniques. It is a key and core technology for the study of targeted, specific molecular probes and therapeutic drugs. Multi-modal molecular imaging technology can complement the advantages of different imaging devices, making the acquired image results more accurate and reliable. Clinical practice has proven that multimodal molecular medical imaging equipment plays an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of major diseases, the development of treatment protocols, and the verification and evaluation of therapeutic effects.

In 2001, Harvard University Weissleder elaborated on the concept of molecular imaging. Molecular medical imaging technology is the application of imaging methods to the qualitative and quantitative study of biological processes in living conditions at the cellular and molecular levels, real-time, dynamic, in vivo, non-invasive on the physiological and pathological changes of organisms at the molecular level. Imaging technology. It is a key technology for the study of targeted, specific molecular probes and therapeutic drugs. However, any single-mode molecular image has its own insurmountable defects, which cannot meet the urgent needs of life science research, and completely and accurately explain the life process. For example, Positron Emission Tomography PET has high detection sensitivity, but because the radiation photon energy is fixed at 511 keV, multi-molecular detection cannot be performed simultaneously; Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography SPECT Although it is not necessary to use expensive cyclotrons to prepare nuclides, it is difficult to find SPECT radiotracers involved in metabolism, and its sensitivity is 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower than PET; Fluorescence Molecular Tomography FMT has markers Flexibility, high specificity, no ionizing radiation, etc., but the image reconstruction is severely ill, and the above three technologies lack structural information and poor spatial resolution.

At present, the concept of combining molecular imaging imaging modalities with X-ray Computed Tomography X-ray CT capable of providing structural information into a single device is well known in the art. In the field of small animal imaging technology, Micro-CT uses a micro-focus X-ray source tube different from ordinary clinical CT, and the spatial resolution can reach the order of micrometers. In addition to the development of ultra-high resolution, another important application of Micro-CT is PET, CT, SPECT, CT, SPECT/CT, PET/SPECT/CT and other multi-modal molecular imaging equipment. Functional imaging technology Provide structural information. In terms of dual-modal imaging equipment, GE and SIEMENS PHILIPS have launched their own Micro PET/CT Micro SPECT/CT products. In terms of trimodal imaging equipment, in June 2005, Gamma Medica released the world's first Micro PET/SPECT/CT for small animal imaging at the annual Nuclear Medicine Annual Conference; in 2007, Kodak released Commercial product for fluorescence/SPECT/CT trimodal small animal imaging. By the end of 2011, GE and Siemens have also launched their own PET/SPECT/CT trimodal small animal imaging equipment, GE has OEM GM's trimodal imaging products through cooperation with Gamma Medica. In addition, a vendor called MILABS announced the introduction of a three-mode imaging device.

The PET/SPECT/CT trimodal imaging device has shortcomings such as insufficient specificity and difficult molecular target labeling. In addition, PET/SPECT is a nuclear medicine imaging method using positron annihilation principle for targeted imaging.

In the field of small animal live imaging in China, there have been reports of small animal living imaging systems with computed tomography imaging CT, positron emission tomography PET, single photon emission tomography SPECT, and fluorescence tomography FMT, respectively, but in the prior art Multimodal imaging devices, for the field of molecular medical imaging, only PET and fluorescence imaging have practical applications, and do not include X-ray CT and SPECT. Moreover, the various imaging systems in the prior art only stay in the concept, have no practical significance, and cannot be used in actual work. At the same time, there is no direct correlation between the four modal imaging systems, not on the same inspection axis, and the same-machine fusion of multi-modal images cannot be achieved. Summary of the invention

In order to further improve the specificity and applicable surface of multimodal molecular imaging technology, the present invention provides a feasible X-my CT/PET/ SPECT/FMT four-mode integrated multi-modal small animal molecular imaging imaging. Device and imaging method.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging apparatus.

A multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging apparatus of the present invention comprises: an X-ray computed tomography X-ray CT system; a positron emission tomography PET system; a single photon emission tomography SPECT system; a fluorescence tomography FMT system; Rotating rack system; small animal bed system; and data acquisition system and computer; each imaging system is sampled and saved to the computer by the data acquisition system via the data line; each imaging system shares a small animal bed system and the same inspection axis;

The X-ray CT system, SPECT system and FMT system are mounted on the same rotating rack system to form the X-ray CT/SPECT/FMT system; the small animal bed system is mounted at one end of the base, X-ray CT/SPECT/FMT Installed on the other end of the base with the PET system, and each system is on the same axis; or

The small animal bed system is mounted in the center of the base, and the X-ray CT/SPECT/FMT system and the PET system are mounted on the base around the small animal bed system, respectively, and the axes of the various systems are in the same horizontal plane. A multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging apparatus of the present invention comprises: an X-ray computed tomography X-ray CT system; a positron emission tomography PET system; a single photon emission tomography SPECT system; a fluorescence tomography FMT system; Rotating rack system; small animal bed system; and data acquisition system and computer; each imaging system is sampled and saved to the computer by the data acquisition system via the data line; each imaging system shares a small animal bed system and the same inspection axis;

The X-ray CT system and the SPECT system are mounted on a rotating rack system to form the X-ray CT/SPECT system, and the FMT system is mounted on another rotating rack system; the small animal bed system is mounted at one end of the base, X- The ray CT/SPECT system, the FMT system, and the PET system are respectively mounted on the other end of the base in the order of one of the six sorting orders, and each system is located on the same axis; or

The small animal bed system is mounted in the center of the base, and the X-ray CT/SPECT system and the PET system are mounted on the base around the small animal bed system, respectively, and the axes of the various systems are in the same horizontal plane.

The X-ray CT system, SPECT system and FMT system are installed on their respective rotating frame systems; the small animal bed system is installed at one end of the base, and the X-ray CT system, SPECT system, FMT system and PET system are arranged in 24 ways. The order of one of the sequences is respectively installed at the other end of the base, and each system is located on the same axis; or

The small animal bed system is mounted in the center of the base, and the PET system, X-ray CT system, SPECT system, and FMT system are mounted on the base around the small animal bed system, respectively, and the axes of the various systems are in the same horizontal plane.

Further, the rotating gantry system includes a rotating table, a bushing, and a slip ring system. The rotary table is fixed to the base by the rotary table bracket, and the rotation in the plane can be completed. The center of the rotary table has a through hole whose axis is in the same horizontal plane as the axis of the small animal bed system. The slip ring system is mounted on the base by a slip ring bracket and is coupled to the turntable by a bushing. The data lines and wires of the various devices mounted on the rotary table enter the slip ring system through the bushings, and the data lines and wires are combed by the slip ring system and then connected to the power supply or data acquisition system.

The X-ray CT system comprises: an X-ray source, an X-ray collimator and an X-ray detector; wherein the X-ray source is mounted on the rotating table of the rotating frame system around the through hole opposite to the X-ray detector, A detection area is formed between the two, and the rotation of the rotating frame can be rotated in a plane around the small animal to be tested; the X-ray collimator is installed in front of the X-ray source The end is located between the detection area and the X-ray source; the X-ray source emits X-rays, and an X-ray beam is generated by the X-ray collimator, and the X-ray beam is projected through the measured small animal and projected on the X-ray detector. The imaging surface, the data generated by the X-ray detector is sampled and saved to the computer by the data acquisition system via the data line. The X-ray source is connected to the power source via a wire loop system, and the X-ray detector is connected to the data acquisition system via a data line via a power source. The X-ray detector can be a flat-type detector or a linear detector. The imaging mode can be based on three generations of CT scan mode, spiral CT mode or cone beam CT scan mode.

The PET system comprises: a Y-ray detector, a detection electronics device and a Y-ray detector frame; wherein the Y-ray detector frame is fixed on the base, the Y-ray detector frame has a through hole, and the axis thereof and the rotary table The axis of the through hole and the small animal bed system are located in the same horizontal plane; the Y-ray detector is mounted on the Y-ray detector frame around the through hole to form an array of Y-ray detectors, and the area surrounded by the Y-ray detector forms a detection area The detection electronics are connected to the Y-ray detector via the data line, and the detection electronics are not in the detection area. The Y-ray detector consists of a scintillation crystal that converts Y-rays into visible light at the front end and a highly sensitive photodetector at the back end, which are connected by a light guide. The detection electronics are connected to the data acquisition system via a data line, and the data acquisition system is connected to the computer. The detecting electronics device is composed of a high-speed signal discriminating circuit. Each Y-ray detector generates a timing pulse after receiving the Y photon, and inputs the timing pulses into the high-speed signal discriminating circuit for screening. The detecting electronics device sets a time window through a clock circuit module, and the timing pulses falling into the time window are regarded as Y photons generated in the same positron annihilation event, and the position information of these symbol Y photon signals is recorded, and It is counted to obtain PET imaging raw data, and PET data is recorded by a data acquisition system and saved to a computer for image reconstruction. The detection electronics are connected to the power supply via wires via a slip ring system, and the Y-ray detectors are connected via a power line to the data acquisition system via a power source. The Y-ray detector array may adopt a ring structure, or may use two or more flat plates of equal angles.

The SPECT system comprises: a SPECT detector, a collimator and a detector translation mechanism; wherein the detector translation mechanism is mounted on the rotary table, and the SPECT detector is fixed on the detector translation mechanism for translational motion; the number of SPECT detectors is One or more, when there are more than two SPECT detectors, the detectors are at an angle between them, and the through holes around the rotary table are mounted on the rotary table through the detector translation mechanism. The area surrounding the SPECT detector forms a detection area. The collimator is mounted at the front end of the SPECT detector between the SPECT detector and the detection area. The SPECT detector consists of a scintillation crystal that converts Y-rays into visible light at the front end and a high-sensitivity photodetector with a back end, which are connected by a light guide. The single-photon tracer injected into the living body emits Y-rays, which are converted into visible light by a scintillation crystal and converted into an electrical signal by a photomultiplier tube. The SPECT detector is connected to the data acquisition system via a data line via a power source. The collimator is composed of a material that can shield Y rays, and may be in the form of a parallel hole array, a pinhole form, and a slant hole form. The fluorescence imaging system comprises: a laser generator, an optical fiber, a fiber optic mobile station and an imaging device; wherein the laser generator is mounted on the rotating table around the through hole opposite to the imaging device, and a detection area is formed therebetween; the optical fiber mobile station is fixed On the rotating table; the laser emitted by the laser generator illuminates the small animal to be measured through the optical fiber, and the optical fiber can scan the small animal to be measured along the slideway within a certain angle range through the slide of the optical fiber moving platform. The imaging device is connected to the data acquisition system via a data line via a power source.

The small animal bed system consists of a lifting mechanism, a translation mechanism and a small animal bed. The lifting mechanism is fixed to the base and rotatable in a plane, the translation mechanism is mounted on the lifting mechanism, and the small animal bed is mounted on the translation mechanism. The lifting mechanism and the translation mechanism are used to move the small animal bed to a suitable position in the detection area. The front end of the small animal bed serves as a detection area for carrying small animals, and its aperture size should be suitable for the requirements of the imaging system.

All of the above systems are fixed on the same base. The relative physical space between the systems should be determined according to the system design requirements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging method.

The multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging method of the present invention comprises the following steps:

1) Fixing the small animal to be measured at the front end of the small animal bed of the multimodal molecular imaging imaging system, and injecting the molecular imaging probe into the small animal to be tested;

2) Injection of multimodal molecular imaging probes into the small animals being tested, either multimodal molecular imaging probes (bimodal, trimodal or quadruple molecular imaging probes) or single mode The molecular imaging probe is stepwise injected to meet the imaging requirements of the four imaging modalities, respectively;

3) After a certain period of time, adjust the position of the small animal bed to align with the center of the detection area of the imaging system, and use X-ray computed tomography system X-ray CT, positron emission when the object is moved along the inspection axis. The tomographic imaging system PET, the single photon emission tomography system SPECT, and the fluorescence tomography system FMT image the small animals being measured, wherein the scanning imaging sequence of each imaging modality arranges the scanning order according to imaging requirements;

4) Image reconstruction of each modal detected image is performed according to the corresponding imaging method, and finally the same-mode registration image fusion of multi-modal images is performed to obtain X-ray CT/PET/SPECT of the measured small animal. / FMT four modes of the same machine fusion molecular medical image.

The bimodal mode is an imaging mode of one of six combinations of any two of X-ray CT, PET, SPECT, and FMT; the trimodal is any three of X-ray CT, PET, SPECT, and FMT. An imaging modality of one of the four combinations of components; the four modes are imaging modalities composed of X-ray CT, PET, SPECT, and FMT.

Radionuclide imaging device and fluorescent molecule based on positron emission tomography PET, single photon emission tomography SPECT Tomography FMT optical imaging equipment is particularly suitable for studying molecular, metabolic and physiological events (functional imaging); while X-ray tomography CT equipment is suitable for anatomical imaging (structural imaging); fusion multimodal imaging technology (PET/CT) SPECT/CT) combines the advantages of both functional imaging and structural imaging. X-ray CT/PET/ SPECT/ FMT four-mode, simultaneous fusion molecular medical imaging can complement the advantages of different imaging devices, making the acquired image results more accurate and reliable.

Advantages of the invention:

The X-ray computed tomography X-my CT system, the positron emission tomography PET system, the single photon emission tomography SPECT system and the fluorescence tomography FMT system of the present invention share a small animal bed system and the same inspection axis, X- Ray CT/PET/ SPECT/ FMT four-mode, simultaneous fusion molecular medical imaging can complement the advantages of different imaging devices, making the acquired image results more accurate and reliable. DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of a multimodal imaging small animal molecular imaging apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of an FMT system of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the structure of an embodiment of the PET system of the present invention;

4 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of an X-ray CT system and a SPECT system of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic view showing the structure of one embodiment of the rotating frame of the present invention. detailed description

The present invention will be further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this embodiment, the multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging apparatus of the present invention comprises: an X-ray computed tomography X-ray CT system 3; a positron emission tomography PET system 2; a single photon emission tomography SPECT system 4; Fluorescence tomography FMT system 1; rotating gantry system 5; small animal bed system 6; and data acquisition system and computer; each imaging system is sampled and saved by the data acquisition system to the computer via data lines; each imaging system shares a small animal bed The system and the same inspection axis; where: The X-ray CT system and the SPECT system are mounted on a rotating gantry system 5 to form an X-ray CT/SPECT system, and the FMT system is mounted on another rotating gantry system; The system 6 is mounted at one end of the base 7, and the FMT system 1, the PET system 2, and the X-ray CT/SPECT systems 3 and 4 are respectively mounted on the other end of the base 7, respectively, and the respective systems are located on the same axis, as shown in FIG. .

As shown in FIG. 5, the rotating gantry system includes a rotary table 51, a sleeve 52, and a slip ring system 53. The rotary table 51 is fixed to the base 7 by the turntable bracket 511, and the rotation in the plane can be completed. The center of the rotary table has a through hole 54 (Fig. 4) Shown) whose axis is on the same axis as the axis of the small animal bed system. The slip ring system 53 is mounted on the base by a slip ring bracket 531 and is coupled to the rotary table 51 via a bushing 52. The data lines and wires of the various devices mounted on the rotary table 51 enter the slip ring system 53 through the sleeve 52, and the data lines and wires are combed by the slip ring system 53 and then connected to a power supply or data acquisition system, respectively. In the present embodiment, the rotary table 51 further includes a drive motor 512, a large diameter bearing 513, a rotary table 514, and a disk 515. The rotating platform is fixed to the base 7 via a rotary table bracket 511. The large-diameter bearing 513 is mounted on the rotating platform 514, and the disk 515 connected to the large-diameter bearing 513 has a fixing hole for fixing the X-ray CT system. Radiation source and detector and its supporting equipment, SPECT detector of SPECT system and its supporting equipment. The sleeve 52 is used to connect the large diameter bearing 513 to the slip ring system at the rear end. The weight is distributed according to the weight distribution of each device on the disc to ensure that the rotating shaft is evenly stressed when the disc rotates. The driving rotation of the entire rotary table 51 is performed by the drive motor 512 driving its rotary drive mechanism. The driving motor 512 adopts a high-power high-precision servo motor, and the rotating driving mechanism adopts gear meshing; the slip ring system 53 which ensures system power supply and data transmission adopts multi-channel, can transmit strong and weak electricity, has high transmission rate, and can ensure accurate signal transmission. High-performance slip ring, and the size of the large-diameter bearing is determined according to the actual effective detection area.

As shown in Fig. 1, the small animal bed system is composed of a lifting mechanism 61, a translation mechanism 62 and a small animal bed 63. The lifting mechanism 61 is mounted on the base 7, and the translation mechanism 62 is mounted on the lifting mechanism 61, and the small animal bed is mounted on the translation mechanism. The lifting mechanism 61 and the translation mechanism 62 are used to move the small animal bed 63 in a suitable position in the detection area. The front end of the small animal bed 63 serves as a detection area for carrying small animals, and the aperture size should be suitable for the requirements of the imaging system. In the present embodiment, the small animal bed 63 uses transparent high-hardness plexiglass, which has good rigidity and less absorption of X-rays and visible light. In addition, an anesthetic gas tube is reserved for the purpose of imaging small living animals. And the space for small animal breathing masks.

Adjacent to the small animal exercise bed device 6 is a fluorescence tomography FMT system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the FMT system is mounted on a rotating rack system 5 to be fixed to the base 7. The fluorescence tomography system includes: a laser generator, an optical fiber 12, a fiber optic mobile station 13, and an imaging device 14. The imaging device 14 further includes an imaging element 141, an optical lens 143, and a filter disk 142. The laser light emitted by the laser generator illuminates the small animal to be measured through the optical fiber 12. The optical fiber 12 is fixed on the slide 15 of the optical fiber moving table 13 to scan the animal along the slideway within a certain angle range. A high-sensitivity imaging element 141 is mounted on the other side of the detection area for receiving photon data, an optical lens 143 is mounted in front of the imaging element 141, and a computer-controlled filter disk is mounted between the imaging element 141 and the optical lens 143. 142, the filter can be automatically replaced to achieve different filter requirements. The optical fiber 12 of the laser and the imaging device 14 are opposed to each other and mounted around the detection area, and the rotation of the rotating frame can be circularly moved around the object to be measured to obtain multi-angle imaging data. The excitation fluorescence is in a transmissive mode, and the excitation source and the detector are respectively located on both sides of the object to be detected. The laser generator includes a xenon lamp, Fiber and excitation filters. After the laser from the xenon lamp passes through the excitation filter, it is focused by the fiber onto the body of the small animal. The intensity of the laser is adjustable, and the wavelength range is from 400nm to 900nm, which covers the excitation wavelength range of major fluorescent probes such as DsRed, Cy5.5 and Alexa Fluor ICG. The imaging element 141 employs a cooled electron multiplying CCD (EMCCD) to cover the imaging field of view through an optical lens. In order to avoid the influence of the excitation light on the fluorescence signal, a fluorescence filter is placed at the front end of the lens. For the above-mentioned main fluorescent probes, the filter strips of the corresponding filter discs have a passband range of 575 nm to 650 nm, 695 nm to 770 nm, and 810 nm to 880 nm. The filter plates of the excitation light filter and the filter disk are respectively mounted on the two filter wheels, and the switching of the filter is realized by the rotation of the filter wheel.

The posterior side of the fluorescence tomography system 1 is a positron emission tomography PET system 2 . As shown in Fig. 3, the PET system includes: an Y-ray detector 21, a detecting electronics device 22, and a gamma ray detector frame 23. The Y-ray detector frame 23 is fixed to the base 7, and the Y-ray detector frame has a through hole 24 whose axis is on the same axis as the through hole 24 of the rotary table and the axis of the small animal bed system. The Y-ray detector 21 is mounted on the gamma ray detector frame around the through hole 24 to form an array of Y-ray detectors, and the area surrounded by the ray detector forms a detection area. The detection electronics unit 22 is coupled to the Y-ray detector via a data line, and the detection electronics unit 22 is not within the detection area. The Y-ray detector 21 is composed of a scintillation crystal capable of converting Y-rays into visible light at the front end and a highly sensitive photodetector at the rear end, which are connected by a light guide. Preferably, the scintillation crystal adopts a high photon yield scintillation crystal, such as cesium iodide crystal, LYSO crystal; the photodetector should adopt a photodetector with high gain and capable of detecting position information, such as a position sensitive photomultiplier tube; A detection crystal that directly converts high-energy rays into electrical signals, such as a cadmium zinc cadmium (CZT) detector. In this embodiment, the Y-ray detector of the PET system is composed of a strontium silicate scintillation crystal LYSO and a silicon-based semiconductor photomultiplier array SiPM, and an optical silicone oil coupling is used between the LYSO crystal and the SiPM detector. LYSO crystal has high light output, fast luminescence attenuation, high effective atomic number and high density, and has stable physicochemical properties, no deliquescent, and high efficiency for Y-ray detection. SiPM has small volume, light weight, no high voltage, and no Magnetic field interference, long life and easy maintenance. The detection electronics device 22 includes a matching SiPM detector front-end amplifier and discrimination unit, a position-coding electronics unit, a pulse event time extraction unit (rapid-shaped amplifier, timing circuit, TDC circuit), a digital coincidence and event coding unit, and a first-in first-out (first in, first out ( First in first out) FIFO data buffer unit, data acquisition and interface unit. The detecting electronics device sets a time window through a clock circuit module, and the timing pulses falling into the time window are regarded as Y photons generated in the same positron annihilation event, and the position information of the symbol Y photon signals is recorded, and It is counted to obtain PET imaging raw data, and PET data is recorded by a data acquisition system and saved to a computer for image reconstruction. The Y-ray detector array may adopt a ring structure, or may use two or more flat plates of equal angles.

On the back side of the PET system 2 is an X-ray computed tomography X-ray CT system with a single rotating frame and a single Photon emission tomography SPECT systems 3 and 4.

The X-ray CT system 3 includes an X-ray source 31, an X-ray collimator, and an X-ray detector 33. In this embodiment, the X-ray CT system uses a 35KV-75KV, 63μιη focus microfocus X-ray source and a linear X-ray detector, using a three-generation spiral CT scanning method, and the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are opposite each other. And installed around the detection area, the rotation of the rotating frame can rotate in the plane around the small animal to be tested. The X-ray source 31 emits X-rays, and the X-ray collimator generates an X-ray beam that satisfies the requirements. The X-ray beam passes through the small animal to be measured and is projected on the imaging surface of the X-ray detector 33, and is generated by the X-ray detector 33. The projected data is sampled and saved to the computer by the data acquisition system via the data line. The X-ray CT system enables fluoroscopy, helical scanning, and high-precision fixed-point scanning acquisition modes, enabling high-precision tomography of small animals, anatomical information for PET or SPECT systems, and CT for image reconstruction of FMT systems Prior Knowledge.

The SPECT system 4 includes: a SPECT detector 41, a collimator 42 and a detector translation mechanism 43. The SPECT detector 41 is composed of a scintillation crystal capable of converting Y-rays into visible light at the front end and a high-sensitivity photodetector at the back end, which are connected by a light guide. In the present embodiment, the SPECT detector 41 of the SPECT system is composed of a strontium silicate scintillation crystal LYSO and a position sensitive photomultiplier tube PsPMT, and an optical silicone oil coupling between the LYSO crystal and the PsPMT detector, Micro SPECT and X-ray CT Share the same rotating rack and slip ring transmission system. The collimator 42 is made of metallic lead and is in the form of a parallel aperture array. The single-photon tracer injected into the living body emits Y-rays, which are converted into visible light by a scintillation crystal and then converted into an electrical signal by a photomultiplier tube. The SPECT detector 41 is fixed to the detector translation mechanism 43 and can perform translational motion as close as possible to the small animal being measured to improve the sensitivity of the Y-ray detector. In this embodiment, two SPECT detectors 41 are used, and the detectors are arranged at an angle of 180 ° with each other and are closely connected to each other in front and rear, and are rotated in a plane around the detection area, so that the effective detection area FOV is enough to cover the entire small animal. The incident Y-ray event, the position of the fluorescence excited on the crystal, is transferred to the X, Y, and Ε data containing the position information through the weight network and the ADC, and sent to the acquisition computer through the TCP/IP network interface of the 100M transmission speed to form Image frame.

In the case of four-mode homogenous fusion molecular imaging of living small animals, the anesthetized living animals are fixed in the moving scanning bed detection area of the multimodal molecular imaging imaging system, and the molecular imaging probe is injected to the measured Small animals. Multimodal molecular imaging probes can be multimodal molecular imaging probes (bimodal, trimodal or quadruple molecular imaging probes) or stepped injections using single-mode molecular imaging probes to meet four Imaging requirements for imaging modalities. After a certain period of time, adjust the position of the moving scanning bed to align with the center of the effective detection area of the imaging system. X-ray computed tomography X-my CT system, positron emission tomography PET system, single photon emission tomography SPECT system and fluorescence tomography FMT system were used to measure the moving object along the inspection axis. Animal imaging, followed by X-ray CT →FMT→PET→SPECT imaging of four modes. The image data detected by each mode is reconstructed according to the corresponding imaging method, and finally the same-mode image fusion of the multi-modal image is performed to obtain the X-my CT/PET/SPECT/FMT of the measured small animal. Four modal homogenous fusion molecular medical images.

Optical imaging devices based on positron emission tomography PET, single photon emission tomography SPECT, and fluorescence molecular tomography FMT are particularly suitable for studying molecular, metabolic and physiological events (functional imaging); and X-ray tomography CT The device is suitable for anatomical imaging (structural imaging); fusion multimodal imaging technology (PET/CT, SPECT/CT) combines the advantages of both functional imaging and structural imaging. X-ray CT/PET/ SPECT/FMT four-mode, simultaneous fusion molecular medical imaging can complement the advantages of different imaging devices, making the acquired image results more accurate and reliable. It is to be understood that the present invention has been disclosed for the purpose of further understanding of the invention, but those skilled in the art will understand that various alternatives and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims It is possible. Therefore, the invention should not be limited by the scope of the invention, and the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claim

A multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus comprises: an X-ray computed tomography X-ray CT system; a positron emission tomography PET system; a single photon emission tomography SPECT system Fluorescence tomography FMT system; rotating gantry system; small animal bed system; and data acquisition system and computer; each imaging system is sampled and saved to the computer via the data acquisition system; each imaging system shares a small animal bed system and The same inspection axis; where:

The X-ray CT system, the SPECT system, and the FMT system are mounted on the same rotating rack system to form an X-ray CT/SPECT/FMT system; the small animal bed system is mounted at one end of the base (7). The X-ray CT/SPECT/FMT and PET systems are mounted on the other end of the base (7), respectively, and the systems are on the same axis; or

The small animal bed system is installed in the center of the base (7), and the X-ray CT/SPECT/FMT system and the PET system are respectively mounted on the base (7) around the small animal bed system, and the axes of the respective systems are In the same horizontal plane.

2. A multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus comprises: an X-ray computed tomography X-ray CT system; a positron emission tomography PET system; a single photon emission tomography SPECT system Fluorescence tomography FMT system; rotating gantry system; small animal bed system; and data acquisition system and computer; each imaging system is sampled and saved to the computer via the data acquisition system; each imaging system shares a small animal bed system and The same inspection axis; where:

The X-ray CT system and the SPECT system are mounted on a rotating gantry system to form an X-ray CT/SPECT system, the FMT system being mounted on another rotating gantry system; the small animal bed system being mounted One end of the base (7), the X-ray CT/SPECT system, the FMT system and the PET system are respectively installed at the other end of the base (7) in the order of one of the six sorting orders, and the respective systems are located on the same axis; Or

The small animal bed system is mounted in the center of the base (7), and the X-ray CT/SPECT system and the PET system are respectively mounted on the base (7) around the small animal bed system, and the axes of the respective systems are In the same horizontal plane.

3. A multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus comprises: an X-ray computed tomography X-ray CT system; a positron emission tomography PET system; a single photon emission tomography SPECT system Fluorescence tomography FMT system; rotating gantry system; small animal bed system; and data acquisition system and computer; each imaging system is sampled and saved to the computer via the data acquisition system; each imaging system shares a small animal bed system and The same inspection axis; where:

The X-ray CT system, the SPECT system, and the FMT system are respectively mounted on respective rotating rack systems; The small animal bed system is mounted at one end of the base (7), and the X-ray CT system, the SPECT system, the FMT system, and the PET system are respectively mounted at the other end of the base (7) in the order of one of 24 sorting orders, and Each system is on the same axis; or

The small animal bed system is installed in the center of the base (7), and the PET system, the X-ray CT system, the SPECT system, and the FMT system are respectively mounted on the base (7) around the small animal bed system, and each system The axes are in the same horizontal plane.

The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotating gantry system comprises a rotary table (51), a sleeve (52) and a slip ring system (53); The rotary table (51) is fixed to the base (7) via a rotary table bracket (511); the rotary table (51) has a through hole (54) in the middle thereof, and an axis thereof and the small animal bed system (6) The axis is located in the same horizontal plane; the slip ring system (53) is mounted on the base (7) via a slip ring bracket (531) and passes through the sleeve (52) and the rotary table ( 51) phase connection; data lines and wires of various devices mounted on the rotating table (51) enter the slip ring system through the sleeve, and the data lines and wires are combed through the slip ring system (53) and then connected to Power or data acquisition system.

The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the X-ray CT system comprises: an X-ray source (31), an X-ray collimator, and an X-ray detector (33); Wherein, the X-ray source (31) is mounted on the rotating table (51) of the rotating frame system around the through hole (54) opposite to the X-ray detector (33), and a detection area is formed therebetween Rotating around the measured small animal in a plane by rotation of the rotating gantry; the X-ray collimator is mounted at the front end of the X-ray source (31), located in the detection area and the X-ray Between the sources (31).

The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the PET system comprises: a gamma ray detector (21), a detecting electronics device (22), and a y-ray detector frame (23) Wherein the Y-ray detector frame (23) is fixed on the base (7); the Y-ray detector frame (23) has a through hole (24) whose axis is connected to the rotary table The axis of the hole and the small animal bed system are located in the same horizontal plane; the Y-ray detector (21) is mounted on the Y-ray detector frame (23) around the through hole (24) to form a Y-ray The detector array, the area surrounded by the Y-ray detector forms a detection area; the detection electronics device (22) is connected to the Y-ray detector via the data line, and the detection electronics device (22) is not in the detection area.

The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the SPECT system comprises: a SPECT detector (41), a collimator (42), and a detector translation mechanism (43); The detector translation mechanism (43) is mounted on a rotary table (51), and the SPECT detector (41) is fixed on the detector translation mechanism (43) Moving motion; the number of the SPECT detectors (41) is one or more. When there are more than two SPECT detectors, the detectors have a certain angle between them, and pass through the through holes (54) of the rotating table. a detector translation mechanism (43) is mounted on the rotating table (51); a region surrounded by the detector (41) forms a detection area; the collimator (42) is mounted at the front end of the SPECT detector (41) Located between the SPECT detector and the detection area.

The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluorescence imaging system comprises: a laser generator, an optical fiber (12), a fiber moving station (13), and an imaging device (14); The laser generator is mounted on the rotating table around the through hole opposite to the imaging device (14), and a detection area is formed therebetween; the optical fiber mobile station

(13) fixed on the rotating table; the laser light emitted by the laser generator (11) illuminates the small animal to be tested through the optical fiber (12); the optical fiber (12) passes through the slide of the optical fiber mobile station (15) The scanned small animals are scanned along the slides within a certain range of angles.

The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the small animal bed system comprises a lifting mechanism (61), a translation mechanism (62) and a small animal bed (63); wherein, the lifting mechanism (61) is fixed on the base (7) and can rotate in a plane; the translation mechanism (62) is mounted on the lifting mechanism (61); the small animal bed (63) is mounted on the translation mechanism.

10. A multimodal small animal molecular imaging imaging method, characterized in that the imaging method comprises the following steps:

2) injecting a multimodal molecular imaging probe into the small animal to be tested, and the molecular imaging probe is injected to meet the imaging requirements of the four imaging modalities;