SBIR Phase I: Novel development of a pediatric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目专注于技术的开发，这些技术将促进经济实惠、紧凑且患者友好的磁共振成像(MRI)系统的设计和开发。磁共振成像系统是一系列成像类型的首选方法，尤其是儿科，因为其优越的诊断能力、高分辨率和最小的副作用。然而，由于受限和嘈杂的环境，传统的MRI体验可能会让儿童望而却步，通常会导致替代方案，如使用麻醉进行MRI扫描或使用计算机断层扫描(CT)，这将使他们暴露在高水平的电离辐射下。该项目的目标是为开发新一代扫描仪创新技术，重点是创造适合儿童的成像体验。这些突破性的技术有可能推出新的核磁共振扫描仪，扩大成像市场，并将核磁共振系统普及到世界各地有需要的社区。该项目的智力优势集中在B1成像方法的开发上。虽然传统的MRI扫描仪依赖于B0梯度线圈进行空间编码，但B1线圈以前被证明是空间编码的，但它们仍然被广泛使用和开发不足。这项工作的目标是证明其可行性，并扩展称为频率调制Rabi编码回波(又名FREE)的B1成像方法，具体地说，即频率编码和相位编码FREE。FREE与其他B1成像方法相比是独一无二的，因为它对磁性缺陷具有很高的免疫力。与其他方法不同，FREE可以在高度不均匀(和廉价)的磁体中适当地成像。免费打造的扫描仪将利用去除B0梯度线圈和降低磁铁的均匀性所带来的成本节约。使用免费的核磁共振扫描仪会更实惠、更紧凑、更安静。该项目将重点展示紧凑、经济实惠和不均匀的0.5特斯拉系统上的二维和三维成像，从而展示B1成像方法的能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on the development of techniques that will facilitate the design and development of affordable, compact, and patient-friendly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. MRI systems are the preferred modality for a range of imaging types, notably pediatrics, due to their superior diagnostic capabilities, high resolution, and minimal side effects. However, traditional MRI experiences can be daunting for children due to the confined and noisy environment, often leading to alternatives such as the use of anesthesia for an MRI scan or the use of computerized tomography (CT), which exposes them to high levels of ionizing radiation. The objective of this project is to innovate novel techniques for developing a new generation of scanners, with a focus on creating child-friendly imaging experiences. These groundbreaking techniques have the potential to introduce new classes of MRI scanners, expand the imaging market, and democratize MRI systems to communities in need worldwide.The intellectual merit of this project focuses on the development of B1 imaging approaches. While traditional MRI scanners rely on B0 gradient coils for spatial encoding, B1 coils have previously been shown to spatially encode, but they remain widely under-used and under-developed. The goal of this effort is to demonstrate the viability and expand upon the B1 imaging approach known as Frequency-modulated Rabi-Encoded Echoes (aka, FREE), specifically, frequency-encoded and phase-encoded FREE. FREE is unique from other B1 imaging approaches because of its high immunity to magnetic imperfections. FREE, unlike other approaches, can appropriately image in highly inhomogeneous (and inexpensive) magnets. A scanner built around FREE would take advantage of the cost savings that come with removing B0 gradient coils and from reducing the homogeneity of a magnet. An MRI scanner utilizing FREE would be more affordable, compact, and silent. This project will focus on demonstrating two- and three-dimensional imaging on a compact, affordable, and inhomogeneous 0.5 Tesla system, thereby demonstrating the capability of B1 imaging approaches.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.