Abstract
Fast-field cycling MRI (FFC-MRI) is a new imaging technique that allows varying the main magnetic field during a scan. This allows exploring tissue properties over several decades of magnetic field strength. Our research group has developed four FFC MRI scanners so far and has applied this technique to measure the relaxation properties of various materials at different magnetic fields and to exploit their properties.
Field-cycling opens up many possibilities for new molecular-based contrast in medical imaging [1] and benefits from active research in NMR that has shown its great versatility. In particular, field-cycling allows non-invasive and contrast agent-free detection of certain immobile proteins thanks to cross-relaxation effects between water protons and 14N, which is already being used in other studies [2, 3]. It is also possible to measure the evolution of T1 with the magnetic field strength and the dispersion curve obtained provides information at the molecular scale [4].
Here we present the results of four pilot studies focused on medical applications: a short pilot study on the quantitative detection of fibrin with applications in thrombosis, a study on the characterisation of muscle damage with applications in sport injury and sarcopenia, a study on the detection of osteoarthritis and a study on the characterisation of tumours in the breast and musculoskeletal system.
Field-cycling opens up many possibilities for new molecular-based contrast in medical imaging [1] and benefits from active research in NMR that has shown its great versatility. In particular, field-cycling allows non-invasive and contrast agent-free detection of certain immobile proteins thanks to cross-relaxation effects between water protons and 14N, which is already being used in other studies [2, 3]. It is also possible to measure the evolution of T1 with the magnetic field strength and the dispersion curve obtained provides information at the molecular scale [4].
Here we present the results of four pilot studies focused on medical applications: a short pilot study on the quantitative detection of fibrin with applications in thrombosis, a study on the characterisation of muscle damage with applications in sport injury and sarcopenia, a study on the detection of osteoarthritis and a study on the characterisation of tumours in the breast and musculoskeletal system.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 1-27 |
Number of pages | 27 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2014 |
Event | European Congress of Radiology (2014) - Vienna, Austria Duration: 6 Mar 2014 → 10 Mar 2014 https://www.myesr.org/ |
Conference
Conference | European Congress of Radiology (2014) |
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Country/Territory | Austria |
City | Vienna |
Period | 6/03/14 → 10/03/14 |
Internet address |
Bibliographical note
We would like to acknowledge ARUK and EPSRC for their financial support.Keywords
- Cancer
- Athletic injuries
- Arthritides
- Physics
- Instrumentation
- Experimental Investigations
- MR
- Musculoskeletal soft tissue
- Musculoskeletal joint
- Breast