Mapping tool for investigation of component-level PCB compatibility in multimodal MRI/SPECT

A maneuverable laboratory device, developed to evaluate the compatibility of a gamma ray detector and MRI magnetic gradients, is presented The tool was designed to characterize the sensitivity to switching gradients of the detector modules of INSERT, a clinical SPECT ring compatible with commercial MRI scanners. The time-varying magnetic fields generated with this tool can be tailored to be identical in amplitude (0-20 mT) and frequency (0.1-3 kHz) to those utilized in common MRI sequences, but can be localized with cm-resolution, in such a way that sensitive points inside the hardware under test can be revealed. The device has been utilized to identify weaknesses inside the ASIC board of the INSERT system. Thanks to its use in mapping the board, a novel layout demonstrated improved rejection of disturbances.