Low-field MRI

MRI · reads

Low-field MRI is a form of magnetic resonance imaging that uses weaker magnets, below about 1.5 tesla and down to 0.05 tesla, so scanners can be placed at the point of care. Like conventional MRI, it picks up small voltages in receiver coils produced by the magnetization of hydrogen nuclei, mostly in water and fat, and turns these signals into images, including T2-weighted images. It uses no ionizing radiation and lowers equipment and running costs, though its imaging performance still trails high-field scanners.

Spatial resolution

2.6 mm (point spread)

Temporal resolution

5–15 min (sample interval)

Field of view

1.23 L (acquired volume)

Reads

Hydrogen-spin (proton) MR signal; T2-weighted image contrast

Destructive?

non-destructive

Prerequisites

none beyond ordinary participation

Theoretical temporal resolution

100 ms (sample interval)

Theoretical field of view

1.23 L (reachable envelope)

Description

Low-field MRI typically uses magnetic fields below 1 T, down to 0.05 T, with the broadest definition extending to 1.5 T; portable 64 mT systems acquire whole-brain 3D scans at the bedside. It measures the voltages induced in receiver coils by hydrogen-spin magnetization, mainly from water and fat. It is non-invasive and non-ionizing, and portable units bring imaging to the patient.

Download the dataset (JSON, described by its JSON Schema).

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