I-Corps: High Resolution Probes for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是磁共振成像（MRI）技术，该技术具有更高的空间分辨率和更短的扫描时间，可用于研究从单细胞到人类的各种生物系统。新型带有介电垫的核磁共振探针将对动物和人类行为研究产生直接影响，神经科学家正在使用核磁共振技术监测大脑活动和认知。全新的研究和临床试验成为可能，在提高分辨率和减少扫描时间。高分辨率MRI是了解人类和动物代谢活动的有力工具。MRI将成为神经科学的一项关键诊断技术，它将化学和空间信息与神经和大脑疾病联系起来。此外，生物人类学、渔业和生物学的研究人员将受益于更短的MRI扫描时间和更高分辨率的新工具。I-Corps项目将为将高分辨率MRI探针的突破转化为生命科学和医学界提供商业基础。I-Corps项目解决了高分辨率磁共振成像的基本电磁挑战。带有介电垫的射频（RF）探针已经成功地在生物幽灵、动物和人类的研究环境中进行了测试。该公司将与临床医生和研究人员合作，将新的射频探针转化为商业和基于研究的MRI系统。具有介电垫的RF探针的设计灵活性提供了定制的均匀磁场体积，并允许对包括人类，小鼠，鱼类和单细胞在内的各种样品进行MRI。该计划将汇集材料科学家，电气工程师，生物学家和放射科医生，以创建一个独特的生态系统，以了解新型MRI RF探针在生物研究和医学中的价值。整合来自不同学科的知识，结合来自潜在用户的信息，将确保为MRI扫描仪中射频探针的商业化制定一个全面的计划。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology with enhanced spatial resolution and reduced scan time for investigating a comprehensive range of biological systems from single cells to humans. Novel MRI probes with dielectric pads will have an immediate impact on animal and human behavior studies where neuroscientists are using MRI techniques to monitor brain activity and cognition. Entirely new research and clinical tests become possible at increased resolution and reduced scan time. High-resolution MRI is a powerful tool for understanding metabolic activity in humans and animals. MRI will be a key diagnostic technique of the neuroscience - linking chemical and spatial information with neurological and brain disorders. In addition, researchers of Biological Anthropology, Fisheries and Biology will benefit from new tools with shorter MRI scan times and higher resolution. The I-Corps project will provide a commercial foundation for translating breakthroughs in high-resolution MRI probes to the life science and medical communities. This I-Corps project addresses fundamental electromagnetic challenges of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Radio Frequency (RF) probes with dielectric pads have been successfully tested in a research setting for biological phantoms, animals and humans. The company will work with clinicians and researchers to translate the new RF probes into commercial and research-based MRI systems. The design flexibility of an RF probe with a dielectric pad provides for customized volumes of uniform magnetic field and allows for MRI of diverse samples including humans, mice, fish, and single cells. The proposed program will bring together material scientists, electrical engineers, biologists and radiologists to create a unique ecosystem for understanding the value of novel MRI RF probes in biological research and medicine. Integration of knowledge from different disciplines, combined with information from prospective users will assure the creation of a comprehensive plan for commercialization of RF probes in MRI scanners.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.