System for the one-sided generation of magnetic fields for the multidimensional encoding of magnetic particles and method of operation thereof

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is a young imaging modality which is of high interest in medical environment since it can be a radiation-free alternative modality to x-ray. In the last decade, MPI could demonstrate in pre-clinical studies its strength of good spatial resolution and high temporal resolution. As a tracer-based method, high sensitivities could be shown in the range of pico-molar iron concentrations. However, scaling up this technology to human-size requires novel approaches since the proven concepts cannot be used anymore. Single-sided approaches can overcome the restriction of closed bore systems since the sample access is not limited anymore. Drawbacks of single sided concepts are the poor penetration depth and encoding capability.

The inventive device generates the required field gradients for MPI without the need of a tube-like arrangement around the sample volume. Instead, the inventive device is placed from any side near the sample (e.g. near the heart) and scans the sample volume to a depth of currently about 10 cm (depending on scanner size). In addition, the concepts provides a fully 3D generated field-free line encoding scheme, which offers high sensitive scanning of magnetic nanoparticle distribution in 3D near the surface of the system. Furthermore, the combination of several inventive devices, allows for clinical applications. Additionally, the device itself can be extremely miniaturized even to perform imaging of single cells or cell clusters.

• Human MPI scanner
• Biomedical scanning of cells or cell clusters

Prototype