? The specific aim of this program is to demonstrate the feasibility and practicality of a low-cost, i.e., commercially viable, superconducting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet system specifically targeted for use in small hospitals, rural communities, and underdeveloped nations. The MRI system incorporates Magnesium Diboride (MgB2) composite conductor and an innovative cryogenic design/operation concept. We achieve this specific aim by building and operating a 0.5 Tesla (T)/80 cm bore demonstration magnet that, except for its lack of an MRI-grade spatial homogeneity, satisfies key operational requirements of 0.5 T/80 cm MRI magnet systems. We are confident that commercial MRI magnet manufacturers will base their design for such MRI magnets on the demonstration system proposed herein. The demonstration system introduces two important firsts to MRI superconducting magnet technology, both benefiting the operation of the next generation low-cost MRI magnet systems: 1) a trend-setting MgB2 magnet for the next-generation of MRI magnets; and 2) an innovative cryogenic design/operation concept that introduces a volume of solid nitrogen in the magnet housing. The presence of solid nitrogen in the system, maintained by a cryocooler, enhances the magnet's heat capacity enormously, enabling the magnet to maintain its operating field over a limited time period even with its cryocooler shut off as would be in case of a power outage, an event not rare in rural communities and underdeveloped nations. Only during this shut off period, the magnet and the solid nitrogen, otherwise kept at a nominal operating temperature of 10 K by its cryocooler, will warm up to a design limit of 15 K over a period of one day. These specific temperatures and shut off duration are for the proposed demonstration magnet and a full-scale MRI magnet, a reference design of which is included in the application. The significance of this proposed demonstration magnet system is that its successful operation is expected to spur commercial production (and demand) of low-cost MgB2-based MRI systems. The innovative cryogenic design/operation concept coupled to this low-cost magnet enables the MRI system to perform reliably even under working conditions much less reliable than those tacitly assumed for standard MRI systems. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EB002887-02
Application #
6800365
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SRB (52))
Program Officer
Mclaughlin, Alan Charles
Project Start
2003-09-30
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2004-09-01
Budget End
2005-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$609,155
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
001425594
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02139
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Iwasa, Yukikazu (2017) Towards Liquid-Helium-Free, Persistent-Mode MgB2MRI Magnets: FBML Experience. Supercond Sci Technol 30:
Voccio, John; Hahn, Seungyong; Park, Dong Keun et al. (2013) Magic-Angle-Spinning NMR Magnet Development: Field Analysis and Prototypes. IEEE Trans Appl Supercond 23:
Park, Dong Keun; Hahn, Seungyong; Bascuñán, Juan et al. (2011) Active Protection of an MgB(2) Test Coil. IEEE Trans Appl Supercond 21:2402-2405
Yao, Weijun; Bascuñán, Juan; Hahn, Seungyong et al. (2009) A Superconducting Joint Technique for MgB(2) Round Wires. IEEE Trans Appl Supercond 19:2261-2264
Yao, Weijun; Bascunan, Juan; Kim, Woo-Seok et al. (2008) A Solid Nitrogen Cooled MgB(2) ""Demonstration"" Coil for MRI Applications. IEEE Trans Appl Supercond 18:912-915