Replacement and Upgrade of a 3T MR Scanner for Research

 描述（由申请人提供）：这是一份资金申请，用于更换和升级范德比尔特大学十多年来一直用于全职研究的3特斯拉磁共振成像（MRI）和波谱（MRS）系统。目前的扫描仪被NIH资助的60多名活跃的研究人员大量使用，他们依靠高质量的MRI和MRS数据进行各种研究应用。我们的目标是安装Philips Healthcare制造的3 Tesla 70 cm内径Ingenia扫描仪，以取代现有的扫描仪，该扫描仪是制造商不再完全支持的老化系统。MRI是公认的用于软组织研究的单一最强大的非侵入性成像模式。MRI和MRS可用于提供关于组织组成、形态和功能的独特有价值的信息，以及许多潜在生物过程的定量描述。不幸的是，我们目前的系统排除了MR研究的几个新途径的探索，一些新的应用超出了我们目前的机器的能力。新系统将提供三大具体优势。[1]它将能够实现新的方法，例如在当前平台上无法实现的多波段采集，并且研究者可以确保持续支持数年; [2]它具有更大的孔径，因此我们可以对目前被排除在研究之外的较大患者进行成像，并实现更高的RF和主场均匀性。更大的孔径对于满足我们当地人群的挑战并允许对腹部，脊柱和乳房进行更多和更好的研究至关重要; [3]新的全数字架构，在RF线圈内直接转换MR信号，产生具有更高（40%）信噪比的图像。在本申请中，我们选择了29名研究者，他们都是目前3 T扫描仪的经验丰富的用户，在各种研究应用中。他们的研究项目分为4个主要类别：（1）成像物理学， 新的和改进的MR成像方法的开发：（2）癌症，以及MRI和MRS在诊断和临床管理中的应用，包括成像生物标志物的开发以评估治疗：（3）神经科学，以及结构和功能MRI在正常和神经精神状况下的大脑结构和功能组织研究中的应用：（4）代谢紊乱，以及先进的MR方法在体内生理和生物化学研究中的发展和应用。本文所述的用户项目将需要大约80%的扫描仪可用时间，其余时间将用于探索性研究和新方向。该扫描仪将被安置和管理在范德比尔特大学成像科学研究所内，并将继续作为一个主要的研究资源，为一个大集团的成像科学家。该仪器将由一个既定的磁共振成像专家和支持人员小组提供支持。已经为该系统的财政和技术支助及其管理制定了一项全面计划，并保证该系统得到强有力的机构支助和监督。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is an application for funding to replace and upgrade a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) system for human subjects that has been in use for research full-time for over a decade at Vanderbilt University. The current scanner is heavily used by over 60 active investigators with NIH funding who rely on high quality MRI and MRS data for diverse research applications. We aim to install a 3Tesla 70-cm bore Ingenia scanner manufactured by Philips Healthcare to replace the existing scanner, which is an aging system no longer fully supported by the manufacturer. MRI is well established as the single most powerful non-invasive imaging modality for studies of soft-tissues. MRI and MRS can be used to provide uniquely valuable information about tissue composition, morphology and function, as well as quantitative descriptions of many underlying biological processes. Our current system unfortunately precludes the exploration of several new avenues of MR research and some new applications are beyond the capabilities of our current machine. The new system will provide three major specific advantages. [1] it will be able to implement new methods such as multi-band acquisitions that cannot be implemented on the current platform, and investigators can be assured of continuing support for several years; [2] it has a larger bore, so we can image larger patients that currently are excluded from studies, and achieve higher RF and main field uniformity. The larger bore is essential to meet the challenges of our local population and to permit more and better studies of the abdomen, spine and breast; [3] the new all-digital architecture with direct conversion of MR signals within the RF coils produces images with higher (40%) signal to noise ratio. In this application we feature 29 selected investigators all of whom are experienced users of the current 3T scanner, in a variety of research applications. Their research projects fall into 4 main categories: (1) Imaging physics, the development of new and improved MR imaging methods: (2) Cancer, and applications of MRI and MRS for diagnosis and clinical management, including the development of imaging biomarkers to assess treatments: (3) Neuroscience, and the application of structural and functional MRI to studies of the architecture and functional organization of the brain, in normal as well as neuropsychiatric conditions: (4) Metabolic Disorders, and the development and applications of advanced MR methods to studies of physiology and biochemistry in vivo. The projects of the Users described herein would require approximately 80% of the useable time available on the scanner, and the remainder would be used for exploratory research and new directions. The scanner will be housed and managed within the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, and will remain a primary research resource for a large group of imaging scientists. The instrument will be supported by an established group of MR imaging experts and support staff. A comprehensive plan has been developed for the financial and technical support of the system as well as for its management, and the system is assured of strong institutional support and oversight.