Investigating New Imaging Modality: Magnetic Particle Imaging

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is a newly found imaging modality. It utilizes superparamagnetic materials as tracers in the blood stream to obtain very high resolutions. MPI promises to have high sensitivity, high spatial resolution and no radiation compared to other imaging modalities. Most commercially available MRI tracers (used for MPI for now) are all non-harmful when compared to Iodine (used for CT scan) and Gadolinium (used for MRI). MPI research is divided into three categories: MPI scanner development, superparamagnetic materials development, and image reconstruction techniques. In this project a small scale LabView-based system will be developed for use on small lab created phantoms, using 25 nm superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles. At first a relaxometer will be developed, the imager will come as the next step. Transmitting and receiving signals will be implemented using LabView and a National Instruments PXI-1033 Chassis. Lab-built coils will be used to send the excitation signal and receive the signal induced by those SPIO's. The objective of this project is to be introduced to a new imaging modality that can have various applications and at the same time considered safe. The system being built is considered inexpensive and shows most of the aspects of how magnetic particle imaging works, starting with the physical phenomena, superparamagnetic nanoparticle properties and relaxation, signal generation and acquisition, and an introduction to the hardware of MPI. The system can be used to introduce engineers and engineering students to the MPI physical phenomena.