Vertical Low Tesla Broadband MRI

描述（由申请人提供）：这是一份共享仪器拨款提案，要求购买具有宽带功能的低特斯拉垂直定向开放式磁共振成像系统（垂直MRI）。垂直成像系统将允许一组NIH研究人员在垂直方向上对肺和骨科结构进行成像，以便在大多数醒着的时间内评估这些系统在重力载荷条件下的情况。MRI的优势在于它可以在不需要电离辐射的情况下进行成像（如果需要重复研究或对年轻患者进行调查，这一点尤为重要）。此外，垂直开放系统在可及性和对有症状（呼吸困难）患者更容易呼吸方面对患者更友好。这种多核系统将允许使用快速质子成像（例如评估膈泵）和应用超极化气体作为造影剂（具有其固有的微观结构和区域肺功能信息）来研究肺部。目的是研究正常和病理生理条件。这项工作不仅可以评估成像参数，还可以为气道流动模拟和压力关系研究提供信息，这些信息都可能在疾病发展中发挥作用，并为新的治疗方法的发明提供信息。其他身体应用最初将集中在脊柱和重要的骨科疾病上，包括（但不限于）重力对脊柱侧凸和姿势的影响，以及先天性髋关节发育不良、关节不对准导致的过早骨关节炎等疾病，以及研究支架在脊柱侧凸和背部疼痛的物理治疗效果。显然，肌肉骨骼状况受到重力的显著影响。然而，对这些现象的研究是出了名的困难和粗糙，主要依靠x线平片。核磁共振成像的先进成像能力将允许研究软组织（如韧带）和可变关节运动在负荷。该项目非常好地响应了NIH对生物医学成像和生物工程、转化研究以及多学科合作需求的新关注。将这些设备添加到爱荷华州的研究能力将极大地帮助一组NIH资助的研究人员，可能导致多学科合作者之间的进一步互动，同时它也将对爱荷华大学内至少三个学院（医学，工程和公共卫生）产生影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a shared instrumentation grant proposal requesting the purchase of a low Tesla vertically oriented open magnetic resonance imaging system with broad band capabilities (vertical MRI). A vertical imaging system will allow a group of NIH investigators to image the Lung and Orthopedic structures in a vertical orientation so as to evaluate these systems under the gravity loading conditions experienced during most waking hours. MRI has the advantage that it can perform imaging without the need for ionizing radiation (this is particularly important if repeated studies are required or where young patients are investigated). Furthermore, a vertical open system is significantly more patient friendly, both in terms of accessibility and in terms of easier breathing for symptomatic (dyspnoeic) patients. This multinuclear system will allow studies of the lungs using both fast proton imaging (for instance to assess the diaphragmatic pump) and through the application of hyperpolarized nobles gases as contrast agents (with their inherent information on microstructure and regional lung function). It is intended that both normal and pathophysiological conditions will be studied. The work will not only allow imaging parameters to be assessed, but will also feed this information on airway flow simulations and for study of strain relationships, which all may play a role in disease development as well as for the invention of new therapy approaches. Other body applications will initially focus on spine and significant orthopedic conditions, including (but not limited to) effects of gravity on scoliosis and posture, and such conditions as congenital hip dysplasia, premature osteo-arthritis due to joint mal-alignment and to study therapeutic effects of braces in scoliosis and physical approaches to back pain. Clearly, musculoskeletal conditions are significantly influenced by gravity. However, study of these phenomena is notoriously difficult and crude, mainly relying on plain radiography. The advanced imaging capabilities of MRI will allow study of soft tissues (such as ligaments) and variable joint movements during loading. This project responds very well to the NIH's new focus on biomedical imaging and bioengineering, translational research and the need for multiple disciplines to work together. The addition of this equipment to the research capabilities at Iowa will significantly aid a group of NIH funded researchers, likely leading to further interactions between a multidisciplinary array of collaborators, while it will also have an impact on at least three Colleges within the University of Iowa (Medicine, Engineering, and Public Health). Significance to Public Health: This grant request is seeking to gain funding for the acquisition of a vertical magnetic resonance scanner which will allow us to establish within our growing imaging-based atlas of the normal human lung, information which show how the normal lung is structured and functions in the upright body posture. The normative lung atlas is an important first step in detecting early abnormalities and in understanding disease processes. New interventions to lung disease must start at an early stage of the disease process. The requested scanner will also allow us to evaluate the body's support structure with it loaded by gravity. It is critical to evaluate the skeletal system fully loaded if we are to understand the biomechanical nature of orthopedic-related pathology.