Point of Care Superconducting MRI Diagnostic Tool

描述（由申请人提供）：为了满足临床诊断中对磁共振成像（MRI）的依赖性增加的当前和预计需求，本I期-II期快速通道提案提出了提供面向医生办公室、小型诊所和成像中心的开放访问、低场、高分辨率成像系统的具体目标。基于Hyper Tech对二硼化镁（MgB 2）超导体线的最新开发、高温超导体RF接收器线圈和较低成本脉冲管低温冷却器的最新进展，可以开发用于检查室类型环境的增强的即时MRI成像系统，从而使得能够在MRI成像中心安排大量的患者状况，而不需要建造大的屏蔽室，从而释放出大的磁体单元用于更复杂的研究。通过使用超导磁体和高温超导RF线圈来改善信噪比（SNR），可以开发出一种直流磁体，其将显著扩展当前基于MagneVu永磁体（PM）的MRI的成像能力，同时保持用于选择医疗状况的低成本替代方案，这些医疗状况现在依赖于大磁体成像，资本和运营成本高得多。在开放式几何结构和不均匀磁场模型的基础上，设想的MRI系统将分三个阶段开发。第一阶段将解决总体可行性问题，并使用从现有基于PM的MagneVu系统获得的技术经验，描述基于MgB 2的超导磁体的具体要求。将产生所设想的MRI的概念和初步设计。在第二阶段，将完成磁铁的详细设计，并制造或采购磁铁和辅助系统。与此同时，成像系统的其余部分将根据现有的硬件和软件进行设计和/或修改，并视需要进行采购。在第二阶段结束时，一个完整的原型系统将可用于初步测试。拟议的研究将使病人能够在当地医生办公室和诊所的护理点及时得到诊断。这将使医疗条件的早期诊断成为可能，从而使治疗能够更早开始，并比目前更密切地监测。较低成本的成像设备将转化为更高的使用率和更广泛的可用性，从而以较低的成本提供更好的患者护理。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In an effort to meet the current and projected needs for increased reliance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical diagnoses, this Phase I - Phase II Fast Track proposal addresses the specific aim of providing an open-access, low-field, high- resolution imaging system targeted for physicians' offices, small clinics and imaging centers. Building on recent developments of magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor wire by Hyper Tech, the recent advances in high temperature superconductor RF receiver coils and lower cost pulsed-tube cryocoolers, an enhanced point-of-care MRI imaging system can be developed for an examination room type environment, thereby enabling a much larger number of patient conditions to be scheduled at MRI imaging centers without the need for building large shielded rooms and while freeing up the large magnet units for more complex studies. By using a superconducting magnet and high temperature superconducting RF coils for improved signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), a dc magnet can be developed that will significantly expand the imaging capability of the current MagneVu permanent magnet (PM) based MRI while maintaining a low-cost alternative for select medical conditions, which are now dependent on the large magnet imaging at much higher capital and operating costs. Building on the model of an open- access geometry and an inhomogeneous magnetic field, the envisaged MRI system will be developed in three phases. Phase I will address the overall feasibility issues and delineate the specific requirements for the MgB2 based superconducting magnet using the technical experience gained from the existing PM based MagneVu system. A conceptual and preliminary design for the envisaged MRI will result. In Phase II, the magnet detail design will be completed and magnet and ancillary systems fabricated or procured. In parallel, the balance of the imaging system will be designed and/or modified from existing hardware and software and procured as necessary. At the end of Phase II, a completed prototype system will be available for preliminary tests. The proposed research will enable patients to be seen and diagnosed at point-of-care in local doctors' offices and clinics in a timelier manner This will enable earlier diagnosis of medical conditions so that treatment can begin sooner and be monitored more closely than currently possible. Lower cost imaging equipment will translate into increased usage and wider availability, thus better patient care at a lower cost.