Presently, signal generation in MRI depends on the concentration and relaxivity of protons or other MR-active nuclei, and contrast depends on local differences in signal. In this proof-of-principle study, we explore the use of nonchemical, solid-state devices for generating detectable signal and/or contrast in vitro and in vivo. We introduce the concept of microresonant devices (MRDs), which are micron-sized resonators fabricated using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Fifteen-micrometer (15-microm)-thick, coil MRDs were designed to resonate at the 3T Larmor frequency of protons (127.7 MHz) and were fabricated using tantalum (Ta) oxide thin-film capacitors and copper-plated spiral inductors. The performance of MRDs having final diameters of 300, 500, and 1000 microm were characterized in saline using a radio frequency (RF) scanning microscope and a clinical 3T MR scanner. The measured B(1) fields of 300 microm to 1000 microm MRDs ranged from 3.25 microT to 3.98 microT, and their quality factors (Q) ranged from 3.9 to 7.2. When implanted subcutaneously in the flank of a mouse, only MRDs tuned to the resonant frequency of protons generated a measurable in vivo B(1) field. This study lays the foundation for a new class of solid-state contrast agents for MRI.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrm.21906DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

microelectromechanical systems
8
systems mems
8
microresonant devices
8
devices mrds
8
frequency protons
8
1000 microm
8
mrds
6
mri contrast
4
contrast solid-state
4
solid-state b1-distorting
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!