Open Competition 2 - Electronics and Photonics

Superconducting Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Array Coil

Sponsor: Supertron Technologies, Inc.

• Project Performance Period: 7/1/2003 - 12/31/2006
• Total project (est.): $2,675,000.00
• Requested ATP funds: $2,000,000.00

About 20 million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures are performed annually in the United States. This powerful tool for medical diagnosis makes two-dimensional images or three-dimensional models of a patient's body. Today's MRI scanners use copper coils to both transmit magnetic pulses that excite atoms in the patient and to receive the nuclear magnetic resonance signal emitted by the excited atoms as the patient's system returns to equilibrium. This signal is processed to generate images. Signal strength and image quality could be improved if the receiving coils were made of materials with low resistance to electrical currents, such as superconductors. Supertron Technologies, Inc. (Newark, NJ) plans to design, construct, and test a novel superconducting array of six or more coils for MRI scanners delivering at least a threefold improvement in signal-to-noise ratio and much faster image acquisition, with a field of view and depth of penetration comparable to existing systems. To date, superconducting coils have been made only in small sizes for imaging of small structures; an array of coils is needed to image larger volumes. Using technology developed at Columbia University, the company plans to combine large-area scanning with high-resolution imaging of small structures for clinical applications such as studies of the brain, spine, neck, and extremities. Supertron will make two-, four-, and six-coil arrays and develop technologies to enable multiple coils to act together in a stable and controllable way. A key challenge will be the development of isolation technology that reduces "crosstalk," or signal interference, between coils placed close together. A cryocooler will be designed to insulate the coil array, offering safety and reliability advantages over liquid nitrogen. Supertron will collaborate with staff at Harvard Medical School (Cambridge, MA) and Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, MA) to demonstrate and test the coil arrays. To date, the company has been able to acquire private funding only to make a single coil; the ATP funding will accelerate the development of coil arrays by 5 to 10 years. If successful, the project will greatly expand the diagnostic capability and imaging applications of MRI, and reduce its costs. There are large clinical and research markets for the technology, which could be used in both new and existing MRI systems. The new technology also could be useful in high-performance antennas, resonators, and filters for applications such as wireless networks.

For project information:

Jon T. DeVries, (973) 639-1112
jdevries@supertron.com

ATP Project Manager

Purabi Mazumdar, (301) 975-4891
purabi.mazumdar@nist.gov