Phantom material for quantitative evaluation of MR images.

Reference material for quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been developed by combining heavy and light water (D2O, H2O), gelling agent agar, and paramagnetic transition metal ions (Gd3+). The process of preparation is described. By in vitro measurement of relaxation times, T1 and T2, it can be shown that tissue relevant values are achievable. The influence of different relaxation times, as well as the effect of different proton spin densities, on MRI signal intensities is determined. Some similarities existing between the magnetic resonance behaviour of tissue water and phantom substance water are discussed.