Open Access3D-Spatial encoding with permanent magnets for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging
Author(s) -
Michael Vogel,
Rubén Pellicer-Guridi,
Jiasheng Su,
Viktor Vegh,
David C. Reutens
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-018-37953-1
Subject(s) - magnet , encoding (memory) , magnetic resonance imaging , orientation (vector space) , nuclear magnetic resonance , magnetic field , path (computing) , physics , sample (material) , materials science , computer science , optics , artificial intelligence , geometry , mathematics , medicine , radiology , quantum mechanics , programming language , thermodynamics
We describe with a theoretical and numerical analysis the use of small permanent magnets moving along prescribed helical paths for 3D spatial encoding and imaging without sample adjustment in ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF-MRI). With our developed method the optimal magnet path and orientation for a given encoding magnet number and instrument architecture can be determined. As a proof-of-concept, we studied simple helical magnet paths and lengths for one and two encoding magnets to evaluate the imaging efficiency for a mechanically operated ULF-MRI instrument with permanent magnets. We demonstrate that a single encoding magnet moving around the sample in a single revolution suffices for the generation of a 3D image by back projection.