The MR Cap: A single‐sided MRI system designed for potential point‐of‐care limited field‐of‐view brain imaging. Issue 5 (23rd June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McDaniel, Patrick C.; Cooley, Clarissa Zimmerman; Stockmann, Jason P.; Wald, Lawrence L.
• Is Part Of: Magnetic resonance in medicine. Volume 82:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 1946
• Page End: 1960
• Publication Date: 2019-06-23
• Subjects: accessible MRI -- low‐cost MRI -- point of care -- portable MRI; Nuclear magnetic resonance -- Periodicals; Electron paramagnetic resonance -- Periodicals; 616.07548
• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27861
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0740-3194

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The size, cost, and siting requirements of conventional MRI systems limit their availability and preclude usage as monitoring or point‐of‐care devices. To address this, we developed a lightweight MRI for point‐of‐care brain imaging over a reduced field of view (FOV). Methods: The B 0 magnet was designed with a genetic algorithm optimizing homogeneity over a 3 × 8 × 8 cm FOV and a built‐in gradient for slice selection or readout encoding. An external pair of gradient coils enables phase encoding in the other two directions and a radiofrequency (RF) coil provides excitation and detection. The system was demonstrated with high‐resolution 1D "depth profiling" and 3D phantom imaging. Results: The lightweight B 0 magnet achieved a 64‐mT average field over the imaging region at a materials cost of <$450 USD. The weight of the magnet, gradient, and RF coil was 8.3 kg. Depth profiles were obtained at high resolution (0.89 mm) and multislice rapid acquisition with refocused echoes (RARE) images were obtained with a resolution ~2 mm in‐plane and ~6‐mm slice thickness, each in an imaging time of 11 min. Conclusion: The system demonstrates the feasibility of a lightweight brain MRI system capable of 1D to 3D imaging within a reduced FOV. The proposed system is low‐cost and small enough to be used in point‐of‐care applications.