Selective probe of intra- and extra-cellular diffusion with non-invasive MRI using non-uniform oscillating gradients

Motivation: Overcoming MRI resolution limitations is crucial for early-diagnosis of cellular-level pathologies. Achieving non-invasive MRI-images with cellular-resolution promises deeper insights into tissue-microstructure for advancing medical diagnosis. Goal(s): We aim to obtain cellular-resolution by characterizing molecular diffusion within intra- and extra-cellular compartments. We use Non-uniform Oscillating-Gradient Spin-Echo (NOGSE) signal-filtering potential, to address this intricate molecular diffusion problem. Approach: We employ diffusion-theory and the NOGSE-sequence, to quantitatively characterize yeast-cell phantoms mimicking tissue-microstructure. Results: We successfully characterize distinct diffusion-regimes within and outside cells. We introduce an innovative method to discriminate intra- and extra-cellular signals without complex models and analyses, allowing selective measurements of specific tissue-microstructure compartments. Impact: We introduce a transformative approach to non-invasive imaging, allowing cellular-level resolution discriminating different tissue-microstructure features without model assumptions. It offers a tool to investigate intricate cellular structures. Harnessing this technology might benefit patient early-diagnosis of diseases, based on quantitative images.