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Ultra-Fast, Spread-Spectrum Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Project description

Advancing MRI speed

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic technique that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to generate images of the internal body structures. Despite its widespread application in medicine, it is characterised by low speed compared to other imaging modalities such as computerised tomography. The EU-funded SpreadMRI project aims to address this limitation by modulating the frequency of magnetic fields to boost MRI speed. The work will lead to drastic improvement of existing MRI scanners and processing software, bringing new applications and faster diagnostic throughput.

Objective

Imaging speed is a key factor to capture rapid changes at high spatial and temporal resolution. A major limitation of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is its rather low speed compared to other modalities like ultra sound or computerized tomography. We aim to explore two novel concepts to boost MR imaging speed by another order of magnitude compared to existing techniques. SpreadMRI fundamentally steps beyond current concepts of image encoding by exploiting a spectral spin modulation that so far has not been utilized. SpreadMRI is based on the rapid and local modulation of magnetic fields produced by current loops and/or radiofrequency (RF) loops. Applied spectral modulations are in the MHz range bridging the low-frequency band of switched gradients (kHz) and the 100 MHz range of the Larmor frequency. SpreadMRI spreads the bandwidth of gradient-encoded spin frequencies using distinct carrier frequencies originating from a certain region of the object. This spatially unique information will then be used to disentangle parts of the object, and thus to drastically boost imaging speed. Approaching this intermediate frequency band requires to address several basic research questions related to image reconstruction, electromagnetic coupling, spin Physics and possible biological effects. Based on theoretical analysis and exhaustive electromagnetic simulations of dedicated current loop and RF coil arrangements, including variants of different modulation patterns, several types of SpreadMRI coils for human head imaging at 9.4T will be developed and applied for high temporal and spatial functional brain imaging. The specific approach of SpreadMRI will lead to major changes in the hard- and software environment of current MR-scanners. It will not only provide new insight within the areas covered by the proposal, but will definitely benefit conventional MR diagnostic by enabling new applications with a simultaneous reduction of motion artifacts and increased patient throughput.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2018-ADG

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Host institution

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 278 760,00
Address
HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 2 278 760,00

Beneficiaries (2)

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