Ultra-High Resolution RF Probe for MR Histology

磁共振组织学成像小动物的大脑 是生物学、毒理学和药物发现研究的关键技术。 为了实现高分辨率，射频(RF)探测器用于获得 图像必须具有非常高的信噪比。我们提出了一种创新的射频 由高温超导材料制成的探头。探测仪 通过使用超导线圈实现高信噪比 元素。新颖的低温设计能够精确控制线圈的 温度。探头设计在样品周围提供了一个螺线管线圈 为了实现与初级磁场的良好耦合，低温冷却 在整个线圈中均匀分布，以及超级绝缘，使 线圈的位置要非常靠近样品。探头设计可以容纳 直径可达2厘米的样品，可用于小鼠和大鼠的磁共振组织学研究 大脑。在第一阶段，我们将证明超导射频的可行性。 线圈通过：(1)制造一个原型线圈元件，以及(2)演示 元件在典型低温条件下的性能。 建议的商业应用： 射频探头的关键应用是小动物标本的磁共振组织学。磁共振组织学 (MRH)承诺带来巨大的好处，因为它速度极快，允许使用Unique “质子污渍”产生组织的三维图像，并产生数字图像 很容易被分享。MRH具有巨大的筛查潜力，因为组织可以 立即切除并扫描。因此，在这个项目中开发的射频探头 将在药物发现、毒理学和 基础生理学和疾病机制的研究。该探测器的客户将 包括制药公司、研究实验室和MR病理服务 供应商。

Magnetic resonance histology to image the brains of small animals is a critical technology for biology, toxicology, and drug discovery research. To achieve high-resolution, the radio frequency (RF) probes used to obtain the images must have a very high signal-to-noise ratio. We propose an innovative RF probe fabricated from high-temperature superconducting material. The probe achieves high signal-to-noise ratio through the use of superconducting coil elements. The novel cryogenic design enables precise control of the coil's temperature. The probe design provides a solenoid coil surrounding the sample for excellent coupling to the primary magnetic field, cryogenic cooling distributed uniformly throughout the coil, and superinsulation that enables the coil to be located very close to the sample. The probe design can accommodate samples up to 2 cm in diameter, enabling MR histology of both mouse and rat brains. In Phase I, we will prove the feasibility of the superconducting RF coil by: (1) fabricating a prototypical coil element, and (2) demonstrating the element's performance under prototypical, cryogenic conditions. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The key application for the RF probe is MR histology of small animal specimens. MR histology (MRH) promises enormous benefits because it is extremely fast, allows use of unique "proton stains," produces three-dimensional images of tissues, and produces digital images that are easily shared. MRH has enormous screening potential because tissues can be excised and scanned immediately. As a result, the RF probe developed in this program will enable tremendous cost savings in the fields of drug discovery, toxicology, and the study of fundamental physiology and disease mechanisms. Customers for the probe will include pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, and MR pathology service providers.