Magnetic resonance: Back to the future

磁共振：回到未来

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-06191
• 负责人: Bidinosti, Christopher
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: University of Winnipeg
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=717873
• 关键词: Magnetic; resonance; Back; future

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful research tool based on the detection of electromagnetic signals that emanate from the nuclei of certain atoms. The method is quite analogous to the way radio works: the atoms are the radio stations emitting signals, while the researcher, in turn, is the listener who tunes their radio to the station of choice. What is so special about NMR, however, is that the frequency of the signals coming from the atoms are uniquely linked to the local environment in which they are situated. As such, these signals provide very precise information about a wide variety of physical, chemical, biological, and material properties. For example, the NMR signal from the hydrogen atoms in our bodies can be detected non-invasively and used to locate and diagnose injury or disease. This technique, known as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is one of the most important tools in modern medicine. NMR has been in use since the 1950s, and MRI since the 1970s. Both techniques have advanced immensely since those times, with innovation largely being driven by a “bigger-is-better” approach, in which stronger and stronger magnetic fields have been employed. Anyone who has ever had an MRI scan can attest to the size of the apparatus, which is in fact a large cylindrical magnet with a central bore for the patient. This same cylindrical magnet design is used for almost all research systems as well, and a “one-style-fits-all” strategy has dominated NMR/MRI for decades. There are many good reasons to buck both these trends, however, and to explore new application-specific designs that offer greater functionality to a broader range of users. One example is the potential for lighter, cheaper MRI scanners operating at lower magnetic field. They may not produce as high a quality image as large clinical scanners, but they could be portable and provide excellent point-of-care imaging for specific situations, or be used in small or remote communities where MRI technology is otherwise unavailable. In many ways, this approach is like going way back in time to when magnetic resonance was performed in much lower fields and with much simpler apparatus. Much has changed since the early days of NMR/MRI, however, and this time around new technology and a broader range of potential applications will fuel an era of innovation that will not end up on the old path of bigger-is-better and one-style-fits-all. As a result, the future of magnetic resonance might just be “smaller, lighter, and smarter.” The goal of my research program is to advance the performance and widespread use of magnetic resonance technology. I will focus on the development of new application-specific hardware and techniques for low-field NMR/MRI, in particular a method known as gradient-free imaging, which lends itself to more versatile apparatus. Potential applications range from health care (e.g. point-of-care medical imaging) to agriculture (e.g. evaluating grain quality).

核磁共振（NMR）是一种强大的研究工具，基于对某些原子核发出的电磁信号的检测。 这种方法非常类似于无线电的工作方式：原子是发射信号的无线电台，而研究人员则是将收音机调谐到所选电台的听众。然而，核磁共振的特殊之处在于，来自原子的信号频率与它们所处的局部环境有着独特的联系。因此，这些信号提供了关于各种物理、化学、生物和材料特性的非常精确的信息。例如，来自我们体内氢原子的NMR信号可以非侵入性地检测，并用于定位和诊断损伤或疾病。这种技术被称为磁共振成像（MRI），是现代医学中最重要的工具之一。 核磁共振（NMR）从20世纪50年代开始使用，核磁共振成像（MRI）从20世纪70年代开始使用。 自那时以来，这两种技术都取得了巨大的进步，创新主要是由“越大越好”的方法驱动的，其中采用了越来越强的磁场。 任何一个做过核磁共振扫描的人都可以证明这个装置的大小，它实际上是一个大的圆柱形磁铁，中央有一个病人用的孔。 这种相同的圆柱形磁体设计也用于几乎所有的研究系统，并且“一种风格适合所有人”的策略已经主导了NMR/MRI几十年。 然而，有许多很好的理由来抵制这两种趋势，并探索新的特定于应用程序的设计，为更广泛的用户提供更强大的功能。 一个例子是在较低磁场下运行的更轻、更便宜的MRI扫描仪的潜力。 它们可能无法产生与大型临床扫描仪一样高质量的图像，但它们可以是便携式的，并为特定情况提供出色的即时成像，或用于小型或偏远社区，否则MRI技术是不可用的。 在许多方面，这种方法就像回到磁共振在低得多的磁场和更简单的设备中进行的时候。然而，自核磁共振/核磁共振成像的早期以来，已经发生了很大的变化，这一次，新技术和更广泛的潜在应用将推动一个创新时代，而不是走上更大更好和一刀切的老路。因此，磁共振的未来可能只是“更小，更轻，更智能”。 我的研究计划的目标是提高磁共振技术的性能和广泛使用。 我将专注于低场NMR/MRI的新应用特定硬件和技术的开发，特别是一种称为无梯度成像的方法，该方法适用于更通用的设备。 潜在的应用范围从医疗保健（例如即时医疗成像）到农业（例如评估谷物质量）。