What type of study is this?

This is a Experimental Study study.

September 17, 2025

In vivo diffusion-weighted imaging on a point-of-care 46mT Halbach MRI scanner

Key Points

Clean diffusion maps were obtained in both phantom and in vivo testing, showing the capability of the system for clinical imaging.
Diffusion coefficients were found to be slightly overestimated, suggesting room for improvement in acquisition techniques.
A 3D turbo-spin echo sequence was chosen to address B0 inhomogeneities and gradient constraints during imaging.
The feasibility of acquiring under-sampled data was explored, potentially speeding up MRI acquisition times for patients.

Abstract

Motivation: Low-field MRIs for point-of-care (POC) applications are emerging, especially for low- and middle-income countries and intensive care and emergency units. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is crucial for clinical practice, requiring robust DWI protocols on POC scanners. Goal(s): Our goal was to implement a robust DWI sequence on our 46mT Halbach-based POC scanner. Approach: Due to B0 inhomogeneities and gradient constraints, we opted for a 3D turbo-spin echo sequence with a DW spin echo pre-module. We tested the sequence using a quantitative phantom and in vivo. Results: We obtained clean diffusion maps in phantom and in vivo, although diffusion coefficients are currently still slightly overestimated. Impact: We implemented a DWI sequence on a 46mT MRI and acquired data in healthy brains. We evaluated the feasibility of acquiring under-sampled data to fasten acquisition and to use b-values similar to the ones used in clinical practice.

Bookmark

In vivo diffusion-weighted imaging on a point-of-care 46mT Halbach MRI scanner

Key Points

Abstract

Cite This Study