Distortion-free magnetic resonance imaging in the zero-field limit

TitleDistortion-free magnetic resonance imaging in the zero-field limit
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsKelso N., Lee S.K, Bouchard L.S, Demas V., Mück M, Pines A, Clarke J
JournalJournal of Magnetic Resonance
Volume200
Issue2
Pagination285-290
Date PublishedOct
ISBN Number1090-7807
Accession NumberWOS:000272260900015
Keywordsgradients
Abstract

MRI is a powerful technique for clinical diagnosis and materials characterization. Images are acquired in a homogeneous static magnetic field much higher than the fields generated across the field of view by the spatially encoding field gradients. Without such a high field, the concomitant components of the field gradient dictated by Maxwell's equations lead to severe distortions that make imaging impossible with conventional MRI encoding. In this paper, we present a distortion-free image of a phantom acquired with a fundamentally different methodology in which the applied static field approaches zero. Our technique involves encoding with pulses of uniform and gradient field, and acquiring the magnetic field signals with a SQUID. The method can be extended to weak ambient fields, potentially enabling imaging in the Earth's field without cancellation coils or shielding. Other potential applications include quantum information processing and fundamental studies of long-range ferromagnetic interactions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

URL<Go to ISI>://WOS:000272260900015
DOI10.1016/J.Jmr.2009.07.016
Short TitleDistortion-free magnetic resonance imaging in the zero-field limit
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