9.4T MRI Upgrade for Translational Neuroimaging Research

需要资金来升级现有的Bruker 9.4T小型动物磁共振成像(MRI) 安装在埃默里大学系统成像核心中心(CSIC)内的扫描仪。该软件 扫描仪上的(PV5)和电子器件(Avance-I)已过时，无法实现当前成像 技巧。获取部件进行维修变得越来越困难，如果不进行升级，扫描仪将面临 变得无法动手术。拟议的升级将使用现有的磁铁和法拉第笼子，以及许多 现有硬件的一部分。新的电子设备(NEO)和最新的操作系统(PV360)将安装到 使扫描仪基础设施处于最新状态。 升级的其他最关键的部分是高功率垫片和梯度放大器，以及添加 多个接收通道。9.4T磁共振成像系统主要用于啮齿类动物的神经成像研究， 而这项工作的主要挑战之一是实现磁场均匀。新软件 电子设备允许动态垫片，并可替换现有的垫片和梯度电源 具有高功率的将允许在2015年购买的RRI渐变/垫片插件的全部功能 用于改善磁场的均匀性。将添加多个接收通道以允许使用阵列 线圈，由于改善信号的能力，已经在人类神经成像研究中变得普遍 噪声比和/或增加捕获的时间速率。一种大鼠脑阵列线圈，旨在与 还将购买四个接收频道。 其他需要维护并在其使用期限结束时的组件包括在 升级，如热交换器和动物笼子。还包括开发人员框架，以允许 将在临床前扫描仪上实施的新序列。 通过此次升级，9.4T磁共振成像将继续运行，以便继续支持临床前 研究。与此同时，新的尖端神经成像能力将加强翻译研究 由亚特兰大地区日益增长的神经科学界提出。

Funds are requested to upgrade the existing Bruker 9.4 T small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner that is housed within the Center for Systems Imaging Core (CSIC) at Emory University. The software (PV5) and electronics (AVANCE-I) on the scanner are obsolete, prohibiting implementation of current imaging techniques. It is becoming difficult to obtain parts for repairs, and without an upgrade, the scanner is at risk of becoming inoperable. The proposed upgrade would use the existing magnet and Faraday cage, along with much of the existing hardware. New electronics (NEO) and the latest operating system (PV360) will be installed to bring the scanner infrastructure up to date. The other most critical pieces of the upgrade are high power shim and gradient amplifers and the addition of multiple receive channels. The 9.4T MRI system is predominantly used for neuroimaging studies in rodents, and one of the major challenges for this line of work is achieving magnetic field homogeneity. The new software and electronics allow dynamic shimming, and the replacement of existing shim and gradient power supplies with high power ones will allow the full capabilities of the RRI gradient/shim insert purchased in 2015 to be used to improve magnetic field homogeneity. Multiple receive channels will be added to allow the use of array coils, which have become ubiquitous in human neuroimaging research due to the ability to improve the signal to noise ratio and/or increase the temporal rate of acquisition. A rat brain array coil designed to work with the four receive channels will also be purchased. Other components that have needed maintenance and are at the end of their operational span are included in the upgrade, such as a heat exchanger and animal holder. The developer framework is also included to allow new sequences to be implemented on the preclinical scanner. With this upgrade, the 9.4 T MRI will remain operational so that it can continue to support preclinical research. At the same time, the new cutting-edge neuroimaging capabilities will enhance translational research by the growing neuroscience community in the Atlanta area.