Human-sized Magnetic Particle Imaging for Brain Applications

TL;DR

This paper introduces the first human-scale magnetic particle imaging device for brain applications, capable of quantitatively measuring brain perfusion with high sensitivity in unshielded environments, enabling new medical monitoring possibilities.

Contribution

It presents a novel, highly sensitive, self-shielded magnetic particle imaging device for brain imaging on a human scale, suitable for clinical environments.

Findings

Detects iron concentrations as low as 14.7 ng/ml

First functional MPI device for human brain imaging

Operates effectively in unshielded environments

Abstract

Determining the brain perfusion is an important task for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases such as occlusions and intracerebral haemorrhage. Even after successful diagnosis and treatment, there is a high risk of restenosis or rebleeding such that patients need intense and frequent attention in the days after treatment. Within this work, we will present a diagnostic tomographic imager that allows access to brain perfusion information quantitatively in short intervals. The imager is the first functional magnetic particle imaging device for brain imaging on a human-scale. It is highly sensitive and allows the detection of an iron concentration of 14.7 ng /ml (263 pmol\ml), which is the lowest iron concentration imaged by MPI so far. The imager is self-shielded and can be used in unshielded environments such as intensive care units. In combination with the low technical requirements this opens up a whole variety of possible medical applications and would allow monitoring possibilities on the stroke and intensive care units.