Prototype Phantoms for Characterization of Ultra-Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published

November 26, 2013

Author(s)

Michael A. Boss, John A. Mates, Sarah E. Busch, Paul SanGiorgio, Stephen E. Russek, Kai Buckenmaier, Kent D. Irwin, Hsiao-Mei Cho, Gene C. Hilton, John Clarke

Abstract

Purpose: Prototype phantoms were designed, constructed, and characterized for the purpose of calibrating ultralow field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF MRI) systems. The phantoms were designed to measure spatial resolution and to quantify sensitivity to systematic variation of proton density and relaxation time, T₁. Methods: The phantoms were characterized first with conventional magnetic resonance scanners at 1.5 and 3 T, and subsequently with a prototype ULF MRI scanner between 107 and 128 υT. Results: The ULF system demonstrated a 2-mm spatial resolution and, using T₁ measurements, distinguished aqueous solutions of MnCl₂ differing by 20 υM [Mn²⁺]. Conclusion: The prototype phantoms proved well-matched to ULF MRI applications, and allowed direct comparison of the performance of ULF and clinical systems.

Citation

Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Volume

72

Pub Type

Journals

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DOI Link

Keywords

ultralow field, ultralow field magnetic resonance imaging, phantom, T1, proton density, spatial resolution, super-conducting quantum interference device, medical imaging

Citation

Boss, M. , Mates, J. , Busch, S. , SanGiorgio, P. , Russek, S. , Buckenmaier, K. , Irwin, K. , Cho, H. , Hilton, G. and Clarke, J. (2013), Prototype Phantoms for Characterization of Ultra-Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, [online], https://doi.org/10.1002/mrm.25060 (Accessed September 30, 2025)