MRI-Compatible Microcirculation System Using Ultrasonic Pumps for Microvascular Imaging on 3T MRI

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Diagnosing small vessel disease is challenging due to difficulties visualizing microvasculature with 3 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Advanced imaging techniques are needed to better understand the microvasculature in conditions like small vessel disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a microcirculation system for visualizing microvascular structures using 3T MRI.
• To measure slow blood flow within small vessels using 3T MRI.

Main Methods:

• A microcirculation system was created using piezoelectric pumps and tubes of varying diameters (0.4-1.0 mm).
• Multiple MRI sequences and parameters were tested to optimize imaging of small vessels.
• Flow velocity was measured and compared to a flowmeter for accuracy.

Main Results:

• The system successfully imaged structures with a diameter of 0.5 mm and larger.
• 2-dimensional time-of-flight low-resolution imaging yielded the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
• Measured flow velocity (10.03 cm/s) closely matched actual velocity (11.01 cm/s) in a 0.8 mm tube with specific velocity encoding.

Conclusions:

• A microcirculation system is effective for imaging small vessels using 3T MRI.
• These findings provide a foundation for further research into the anatomical and pathophysiological aspects of small vessel disease.