a multimodal source for imaging with at least one of a gamma camera , a positron emission tomography scanner and a single - photon - emission computed tomography scanner , and at least one of a computed tomography scanner , magnetic resonance imaging scanner and optical scanner . the multimodal source has radioactive material permanently incorporated into a matrix of material , at least one of a material that is a target for ct , mri and optical scanning , and a container which holds the radioactive material and the ct , mri and / or optical target material . the source can be formed into a variety of different shapes such as points , cylinders , rings , squares , sheets and anthropomorphic shapes . the material that is a target for gamma cameras , pet scanners and spect scanners and / or ct , mri and / or optical scanners can be formed into shapes that mimic biological structures .