Design, Characterisation and Performance of an Improved Portable and Sustainable Low-Field MRI System
Bart de Vos (Leiden University Medical Center)
Javad Parsa (Percuros B.V., Leiden University Medical Center)
Zaynab Abdulrazaq (Leiden University Medical Center)
Wouter M. Teeuwisse (Leiden University Medical Center)
Camille D.E. Van Speybroeck (Leiden University Medical Center)
Danny H. de Gans (TU Delft - EMSD EEMCS Project engineers E)
Rob F. Remis (TU Delft - Signal Processing Systems)
Tom O’Reilly (Leiden University Medical Center)
Andrew G. Webb (TU Delft - Signal Processing Systems, Leiden University Medical Center)
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Abstract
Low-field permanent magnet-based MRI systems are finding increasing use in portable, sustainable and point-of-care applications. In order to maximize performance while minimizing cost many components of such a system should ideally be designed specifically for low frequency operation. In this paper we describe recent developments in constructing and characterising a low-field portable MRI system for in vivo imaging at 50 mT. These developments include the design of i) high-linearity gradient coils using a modified volume-based target field approach, ii) phased-array receive coils, and iii) a battery-operated three-axis gradient amplifier for improved portability and sustainability. In addition, we report performance characterisation of the RF amplifier, the gradient amplifier, eddy currents from the gradient coils, and describe a quality control protocol for the overall system.
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