System and method for use of nanoparticles in magnetic particle imaging (MPI) and temperature measurement with extended / increased 3D sub-saturation region
US9572510B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2011 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB82Y25/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention provides a system and method that improves the sensitivity and localization capabilities of Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) by using combinations of time-varying and static magnetic fields. Combinations of magnetic fields can be used to distribute the signals coming from the magnetic particles among the harmonics and other frequencies in specific ways to improve sensitivity and to provide localization information to speed up or improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of imaging and/or eliminate the need for saturation fields currently used in MPI. In various embodiments, coils can be provided to extend the sub-saturation region in which nanoparticles reside; to provide a static field offset to bring nanoparticles nearer to saturation; to introduce even and odd harmonics that can be observed; and/or to introduce combinations of frequencies for more-defined observation of signals from nanoparticles. Further embodiments provide for reading of the signal produced by cyclically saturated magnetic nanoparticles in a sample so as to provide a measurement of the temperature of those nanoparticles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.