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In vivo 3D brain and extremity MRI at 50 mT using a permanent magnet Halbach array
Thomas O'Reilly1, Wouter M Teeuwisse1, Danny de Gans2
1C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
|July 7, 2020
Summary
This study developed a low-cost, portable permanent magnet MRI system. The system successfully acquired in vivo human brain and knee images, demonstrating its potential for accessible medical imaging.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging Technology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Background:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems are typically expensive and complex.
- There is a need for more accessible and portable MRI solutions for widespread clinical use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and build a low-cost, portable permanent magnet-based MRI system.
- To evaluate the system's capability for acquiring in vivo Magnetic Resonance (MR) images within a practical scan duration.
Main Methods:
- A 50 mT Halbach permanent magnet array was designed with a 27 cm bore.
- Custom gradient coils, RF coil, and amplifiers were integrated and tested.
- The system was tested using phantoms and in vivo scans of human subjects.
Main Results:
- Gradient nonlinearity was within 5% over a 15 cm field of view in y and z directions.
- 3D in vivo brain scans (4x4x4 mm resolution) were acquired in ~2 minutes.
- In vivo knee scans (3x2x2 mm resolution) were acquired in ~12 minutes, showing good tissue contrast.
Conclusions:
- A portable, low-field MRI unit was constructed for under 10,000 Euros.
- The system can acquire in vivo human images in a reasonable time.
- The portable MRI system demonstrates potential for accessible medical imaging applications.
