Descrizione del progetto
Aumentare la velocità della risonanza magnetica per immagini
La risonanza magnetica per immagini (RMI) è una tecnica diagnostica che adopera un potente campo magnetico e onde radio per la generazione di immagini delle strutture interne del corpo. Nonostante la sua applicazione diffusa nel settore della medicina, si contraddistingue per la sua bassa velocità rispetto ad altre modalità di immaginografia, come ad esempio la tomografia computerizzata. Il progetto SpreadMRI, finanziato dall’UE, si propone di superare tale limite tramite la modulazione della frequenza dei campi magnetici al fine di migliorare la velocità dell’RMI. Questa attività condurrà a un miglioramento netto degli attuali scanner e software di elaborazione utilizzati per la risonanza magnetica per immagini, portando nuove applicazioni e permettendo una produttività diagnostica più rapida.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologyradio frequency
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftware
- engineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imagingmagnetic resonance imaging
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantIstituzione ospitante
80539 Munchen
Germania