A temperature-controlled cryogen free cryostat integrated with transceiver-mode superconducting coil for high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.

Small-sized High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) radiofrequency coils are used in a number of micro-magnetic resonance imaging applications and demonstrate a high detection sensitivity that improves the signal-to-noise ratio. However, the use of HTS coils could be limited by the rarity of cryostats that are suitable for the MR environment. This study presents a magnetic resonance (MR)-compatible and easily operated cryogen-free cryostat based on the pulse tube cryocooler technology for the cooling and monitoring of HTS coils below the temperature of liquid nitrogen.

Design of a fast field-cycling magnetic resonance imaging system, characterization and methods for relaxation dispersion measurements around 1.5 T.

The dependence of the nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation rate on the magnetic field has been widely studied, in particular, in biomedical areas with the objectives to better understand the underlying microscopic mechanisms in tissues and provide biomarkers of diseases. By combining fast-field cycling (FFC) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is possible to provide localized relaxation dispersion measurements in heterogeneous systems with recent demonstrations in solutions, biological samples, human beings, and small animals. We report here the developments and performances of a device designed for small animal FFC-MRI comprising a resistive insert technology operating inside a 1.

Quantitative Gd-DOTA-based aerosol deposition mapping in the lungs of asthmatic rats using 3D UTE-MRI.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease, commonly treated with inhaled therapy. Better understanding of the mechanisms of aerosol deposition is required to improve inhaled drug delivery. Three-dimensional ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI acquisitions at 1.

A Novel Microflow Phantom Dedicated to Ultrasound Microvascular Measurements.

Tumor microvascularization is a biomarker of response to antiangiogenic treatments and is accurately assessed by ultrasound imaging. Imaging modes used to visualize slow flows include Power Doppler imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and more recently, microvascular Doppler. Flow phantoms are used to evaluate the performance of Doppler imaging techniques, but they do not have a steady flow and sufficiently small channels.

Aerosol deposition in the lungs of spontaneously breathing rats using Gd-DOTA-based contrast agents and ultra-short echo time MRI at 1.5 Tesla.

Purpose: Aerosol toxicology and drug delivery through the lungs, which depend on various parameters, require methods to quantify particle deposition. Intrapulmonary-administered MRI contrast agent combined with lung-specific imaging sequences has been proposed as a high performance technique for aerosol research. Here, aerosol deposition is assessed using ultra-short echo (UTE) sequences.