Method & system for multi-modality imaging of sequentially obtained pseudo-steady state data

A method for imaging a region of interest (ROI) in a subject, the ROI uptaking an imaging agent while the ROI is in a physiologic state of interest at a first point in time to record a functional state of the ROI at the first point in time, the method comprising:

• obtaining, during a first acquisition interval, a first image data set while the ROI is in the physiologic state of interest at the first point in time, the first image data set being obtained while the imaging agent has at least partially begun to collect in the ROI;
• and
• obtaining, during a second imaging interval, a second image data set based on the imaging agent in the ROI, the second image data set being obtained after the imaging agent has reached a pseudo-steady state (PSS) distribution in the ROI, the second image data set representing the functional state of the ROI at the first point in time.

A multi-modality imaging system, comprising:

• an injection mechanism for introducing an imaging agent into a subject, the imaging agent configured to collect generally in a region of interest (ROI) in the subject during an uptake time interval and to maintain a pseudo-steady state (PSS) distribution in the ROI for a PSS time interval;
• a first imaging modality configured to obtain a first image data set during a first acquisition time interval that occurs proximate in time with at least one of the uptake time interval and the PSS time interval;
• a second imaging modality configured to obtain a second image data set during a second acquisition time interval that overlaps the PSS time interval in which the imaging agent maintains the PSS distribution in the ROI, the first and second imaging modalities being located physically separate from one another such that the subject must be transferred from the first imaging modality to the second imaging modality during a transfer time interval that overlaps the PSS time interval.

A system for imaging a region of interest (ROI) in a subject, the ROI uptaking an imaging agent while the ROI is in a first state to record a first functional state of the ROI, the system comprising:

• a first imaging modality configured to obtain, during a first acquisition interval, a first image data set while the ROI is in the first physiologic state, the first imaging modality obtaining the first image data set while the imaging agent has at least partially begun to collect in the ROI;
• and
• a second imaging modality configured to obtain, during a second imaging interval, a second image data set based on the imaging agent in the ROI, the second imaging modality obtaining the second image data set after the imaging agent has reached a pseudo-steady state (PSS) distribution in the ROI, the second image data set recording the functional state of the ROI while in the first physiologic state.