Keywords: Physics & Engineering: Low-field MRI, Contrast mechanisms: Molecular imaging, Physics & Engineering: Physics
Low magnetic fields are technically challenging to explore but offer exciting new opportunities for clinical applications as they have a high potential for safe, non-invasive and contrast agent-free examinations. However, the strength of the magnetic field is critical when relying purely on endogenous contrast, since different field regimes have different types of information to offer. Low-field designs must therefore optimise this parameter carefully. This course will present different types of endogenous contrast mechanisms that have been probed by Field-Cycling Imaging (FCI), including T1 regimes and 14N quadrupolar peaks cross-relaxation, and draw a picture of their variations with field strength.