3He lung imaging in an open access, very-low-field human magnetic resonance imaging system

✍ Scribed by R. W. Mair; M. I. Hrovat; S. Patz; M. S. Rosen; I. C. Ruset; G. P. Topulos; L. L. Tsai; J. P. Butler; F. W. Hersman; R. L. Walsworth

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 299 KB
• Volume: 53
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0740-3194
• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.20456

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The human lung and its functions are extremely sensitive to gravity; however, the conventional high‐field magnets used for most laser‐polarized ^3^He MRI of the human lung restrict subjects to lying horizontally. Imaging of human lungs using inhaled laser‐polarized ^3^He gas is demonstrated in an open‐access very‐low‐magnetic‐field (<5 mT) MRI instrument. This prototype device employs a simple, low‐cost electromagnet, with an open geometry that allows variation of the orientation of the imaging subject in a two‐dimensional plane. As a demonstration, two‐dimensional lung images were acquired with 4‐mm in‐plane resolution from a subject in two orientations: lying supine and sitting in a vertical position with one arm raised. Experience with this prototype device will guide optimization of a second‐generation very‐low‐field imager to enable studies of human pulmonary physiology as a function of subject orientation. Magn Reson Med 53:745–749, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.