Development of high-performance low field MRI technology

National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Our lab has developed a high-performance 0.55T MRI scanner, and the aim of this project is to develop novel imaging methods for that system. In FY21, we have made progress on our lung imaging methods. Specifically, we have optimized a method for oxygen-enhanced lung MRI, which enables regional assessment of lung function. This method was optimized in healthy volunteers and applied to a population of patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis. We have evaluated the performance of T2-weighted pulmonary imaging in patients with lung abnormalities, and compared findings to CT. In addition, we have developed a 3D stack-of-spirals for higher resolution lung MRI, including the deployment of a rapid inline image reconstruction pipeline with integrated artifact correction. We have also continued our work developing and validating cardiac imaging methods for 0.55T. We have demonstrated the successful assessment of myocardial infarction using 0.55T, compared to 1.5T. Efforts to develop spiral imaging methods for cardiac MRI have continued for a range of applications. Finally, we have imaged several patients with COVID-19 infection with combined cardiopulmonary assessment using our novel imaging methods. This project includes close collaboration with industry to translate our developments and make them accessible to other institutions.