Improvement of F MR image uniformity in a mouse model of cellular therapy using inductive coupling.

OBJECTIVE

Improve F magnetic resonance imaging uniformity of perfluorocarbon (PFC)-labeled cells by using a secondary inductive resonator tuned to 287 MHz to enhance the induced radio frequency (RF) magnetic field (B) at 7.05 T.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following Faraday's induction law, the sign of induced B made by the secondary resonator can be changed depending on the tuning of the resonator. A secondary resonator located on the opposite side of the phantom of the F surface coil can be shown to enhance or subtract the induced B field, depending upon its tuning.

RESULTS

The numerical simulation results of rotating transmit B magnitude (|B |) and corresponding experimental F images were compared without and with the secondary resonator. With the secondary resonator tuned to 287 MHz, improvements of |B | and F image uniformity were demonstrated. The use of the secondary resonator improved our ability to visualize transplanted cell location non-invasively over a period of 6 weeks.

CONCLUSION

The secondary resonator tuned to enhance the induced B results in improved image uniformity in a pre-clinical application, enabling cell tracking of PFC-labeled cells with the secondary resonator.