Method and apparatus for aligning a multi-modality imaging system

An alignment object for aligning a multi-modality imaging system, the alignment object comprising:

• a target object body;
• and
• a plurality of target objects installed in the target object body, at least one of the target objects including
• a first imaging source being disposed within the cavity of the target object body, the first imaging source including a body having a cavity defined therein and an emission responsive material disposed within the cavity of the first imaging source, the first imaging source having a first shape;
• and
• a second imaging source being disposed within the cavity of the target object body, the second imaging source including a body having a cavity defined therein and a magnetic resonance responsive material disposed within the cavity of the second imaging source, the second imaging source having a second shape that is different than the first shape.

A method of aligning a multi-modality imaging system including a first modality unit and a second modality unit, said method comprising:

• imaging a plurality of target objects with the first modality unit to generate an emission image data set, wherein at least one of the target objects includes
• a target object body having a cavity therein;
• a first imaging source being disposed within the cavity of the target object body, the first imaging source including a body having a cavity defined therein and an emission responsive material disposed within the cavity of the first imaging source, the first imaging source having a first shape;
• and
• a second imaging source being disposed within the cavity of the target object, the second imaging source including a body having a cavity defined therein and a magnetic resonance responsive material disposed within the cavity of the second imaging source, the second imaging source having a second shape that is different than the first shape.
• determining a location of the target objects in the emission image data set to produce emission target object location coordinates;
• calculating a positional alignment vector for each target object based on the emission target object location coordinates;
• and
• aligning the multi-modality imaging system based on the positional alignment vectors.