A Low Cost Clinically Relevant 7T MRI Magnet

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案旨在证明设计和制造新型7 T MR磁体的可行性，该磁体比基于传统技术的磁体更小，更轻，成本更低。这种神经科学目标磁铁的内径为680毫米，可以安装在标准的临床磁共振套件中，用于人类以及大型动物（如灵长类动物和猪）的磁共振研究。高场MR提供了低场不可用的数据。应用包括解剖、代谢和分子成像、功能和扩散成像以及光谱学。各种新型、高速和增强对比技术已经被开发出来，而具体的高视场临床应用可以预期。高场磁共振平台的使用和传播都受到其高昂的成本和苛刻的选址要求的阻碍。仅磁体就占系统总成本的80%以上，因此是降低成本的最重要目标。在成本和性能优化方面，传统的磁体技术已经达到了极限，因此进一步的发展必须依赖于使用新的超导体、增强技术和最复杂的磁体设计技术。这种技术上的飞跃还没有实现，部分原因是缺乏这种新颖的技术，但也因为磁铁行业的竞争对手很少。斯特恩磁性有限责任公司已经成功地展示了高性能的内部增强超导线，增强了支持高磁场大口径磁体中存在的高应力的能力。它还展示了高度优化的磁体设计，开发利用这些新型导线的特定特性。该技术是Stern的专利技术，除了降低成本外，还可以显著缩短磁体孔。如果该提案被选为资助并成功完成，随后的第二阶段将解决工程和制造第一个紧凑的，屏蔽的，7 T的短，直径680毫米的室温孔磁铁。目前美国还没有生产高场核磁共振磁体的厂家，这个项目的成功可以建立美国第一家生产先进技术高场核磁共振磁体的厂家。更便宜和更紧凑的高场磁共振平台的商业化将深化和加速对人类疾病的研究。作为一个额外的好处，这也可以成为一种使能技术，用于更实用和负担得起的临床扫描仪，运行在3t。最后，该提案也符合美国国立卫生研究院“鼓励制造业创新”的目标，根据13329号行政命令。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal aims at demonstrating the feasibility of designing and constructing a novel 7 T MR magnet that is significantly smaller, lighter and less costly than magnets based on conventional technologies. This neuro- science targeted magnet has an internal diameter of 680 mm and can be installed in a standard clinical MR suite and used for MR studies on humans as well as large animals, such as primates and pigs. High field MR provides data that are not available at lower fields. Applications encompass anatomical, metabolic and molecular imaging, functional and diffusion imaging, and spectroscopy. A variety of novel, high- speed and enhanced-contrast techniques has already been developed, while specific high-field clinical applications can be anticipated. Both access to, and dissemination of, high field MR platforms are impeded by their very high cost and demanding siting requirements. The magnet alone can represent over 80% of the total system cost, thereby representing the most important target for cost reduction. In terms of cost and optimization of performance traditional magnet technologies have reached their limits, so further advances must depend on using novel superconductors, reinforcement technology and the most sophisticated magnet design techniques. Such a technological leap has not yet been taken, partly due to the lack of such novel technologies, but also because of the small number of competitors in the magnet business. Stern Magnetics, LLC has successfully demonstrated the high performance of internally reinforced super- conducting wire with enhanced capability for supporting the high stresses present in high-field large bore magnets. It has also demonstrated highly optimized magnet designs developed to take advantage of the specific characteristics of these novel wires. This technology is patented and proprietary to Stern and, besides lowering costs, also allows significantly shorter magnet bores. Should this proposal be selected for funding and successfully completed, the subsequent Phase II will address engineering and manufacturing the first compact, shielded, 7 T magnet with a short, 680 mm diameter room- temperature bore. Currently there are no manufacturers of high-field MRI magnets in the US and success of this program can establish the first US-based manufacturer of advanced technology high-field MRI magnets. The commercial availability of cheaper and more compact high-field MR platforms will deepen and accelerate research into human disease. As an added benefit, this can also become an enabling technology for more practical and affordable clinical scanners operating at 3 T. Finally, this proposal is also well aligned with NIH's goal of "encouraging innovation in manufacturing", per Executive Order 13329.