Development of human head size Magnetic Particle Imaging system

Abstract

The magnetic particle imaging device deploys an alternating magnetic field generated by a coil to induce magnetic signals from magnetic particles injected into the body; it then uses these signals to produce a three-dimensional image. A higher frequency alternating magnetic field enhances the sensitivity of signal detection. In compact devices designed for testing on small animals such as mice, which have already been commercialized, frequencies of approximately 25 kHz are used. One of the factors that hitherto hindered the practical application of this system in the treatment of humans was the extremely large size of the power supply unit needed to drive the much larger coil. By leveraging its extensive electromagnetic technology know-how acquired through the development of various devices, and by fine-tuning the configuration of the coils that generate alternating magnetic fields and those dedicated to signal detection, Mitsubishi Electric has developed a process that minimizes extraneous signals (noise) that hinder the detection of magnetic signals. As a result, we have succeeded in developing a magnetic particle imaging device that can sensitively image magnetic particles in an area equivalent to the size of the human brain.