I-Corps: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner Using Frequency-modulated Rabi Encoded Echoes (FREE) to Image Human Body

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种静音、便携和负担得起的磁共振成像(MRI)系统。核磁共振成像是一种非侵入性的医学成像测试，可以生成人体大多数内部结构的详细图像，包括器官、骨骼、肌肉和血管。临床医生从MRI接收有关中风、肿瘤和许多其他疾病的关键医疗信息，并经常将MRI视为成像的黄金标准。目前的核磁共振仪器、基础设施和维护成本限制了大约70%的世界人口的可及性。这项拟议的技术旨在提供一种低成本、便携和负担得起的MRI系统。负担得起的系统将核磁共振的临床价值带给有需要的社区，并为临床医生提供关键的救命信息。拟议的技术可能会扩大临床MRI的覆盖范围和影响。这个I-Corps项目是基于使用调频Rabi编码回波(FREE)的磁共振成像(MRI)系统的开发。目前，磁共振成像系统包括主磁铁(约占成本的40%)、B0梯度线圈(约占成本的30%)和B1射频线圈(占成本的10%)。在该MRI系统中，B0梯度线圈允许对身体进行编码和成像，而B1射频线圈允许创建信号。FREE是一种已公布的B1编码方法，允许从系统中移除B0梯度线圈，从而将系统成本降低约30%。此外，FREE允许使用不完美的磁铁。不完美的磁铁降低了核磁共振的成本，创造了额外的成本节约。此外，建议的技术消除了噪声的B0梯度线圈，创建了静音MRI系统，减少了硬件组件的数量，从而降低了基础设施成本。在常规系统上进行的脑成像中，通过关闭B0梯度线圈并在一个方向上使用纯B1射频线圈进行编码，证明了该方法的可行性。正在进行的研究集中于彻底重新设计B0级无梯度磁共振成像系统，以对身体进行成像。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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 the development of a silent, portable, and affordable Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. MRI is a noninvasive medical imaging test that produces detailed images of most internal structures in the human body, including the organs, bone, muscles, and blood vessels. Clinicians receive crucial medical information regarding stroke, tumors, and many other medical conditions from MRI and often regard MRI as the gold standard for imaging. Current MRI instrument, infrastructure, and maintenence costs limit accessibility for approximately 70% of the world's population. The proposed technology seeks to provide a low-cost, portable, and affordable MRI system. An affordable system brings the clinical value of MRI to communities in need and empowers clinicians with crucial life-saving information. The proposed technology may expand the reach and impact of clinical MRI.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system using Frequency-modulated Rabi Encoded Echoes (FREE). Currently, MRI systems contains a main magnet (~40% of the cost), B0 gradient coils (~30% of the cost), and B1 radiofrequency coils (10% of the cost). In this MRI system, B0 gradient coils permit encoding and imaging of the body, while B1 radiofrequency coils permit signal creation. FREE is a published B1 encoding approach that allows the removal of B0 gradient coils from a system, cutting the cost of a system by ~30%. In addition, FREE allows the use of imperfect magnets. Imperfect magnets lower the cost for MRI creating additional cost-savings. Also, the proposed technology removes the noisy B0 gradient coils, creating a silent MRI system, reducing the number of hardware components and consequently reducing infrastructure costs. The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated in brain image performed on a conventional system by shutting off B0 gradient coils and encoding with purely B1 radiofrequency coils in one direction. Ongoing research focuses on the complete redesign of a B0 gradientless MRI system to image the body.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.