Progress Towards a 136 mT Portable MRI for Neuropathological Assessment in Preterm Neonates
Motivation: Premature neonates are at high risk for brain injury, but MRI assessment is severely limited by risks associated with neonate transfer. Goal(s): We aim to develop a portable MRI system optimized for bedside neonatal brain imaging to improve early diagnosis and monitoring of cranial neurological abnormalities in the NICU (9006). Approach: Our approach includes developing a lightweight, portable, wall-outlet-operable MRI scanner in the form of a 136 mT Halbach magnet. Results: The completed magnet achieves a B0 strength of 136 mT, and ongoing efforts focus on gradient coil and passive shim development, as well as phantom imaging. Impact: The 136 mT portable MRI system could transform premature neonatal brain imaging by enabling rapid diagnosis of ischemic and hemorrhagic abnormalities like GM-IVH, facilitating earlier prognosis and neuroprotective interventions and ultimately improving clinical outcomes through enhanced early imaging capabilities.
Authors
- Lawrence L. Wald (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8278-6307)
- Valerie Klein (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7600-6172)
- Clarissa Cooley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8691-9373)
- Aaron Purchase (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7823-8412)
- Monika Śliwiak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9358-9632)
- Jason Stockmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8454-5347)
- Jeff Short (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5392-3517)
- Mathias Davids (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0217-9123)
- Dinank Gupta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7496-1056)
- Camilo E. Jaimes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7169-4244)
- Sara V. Bates (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2390-813X)
- Sarah Altman
- Zi Xiong
Publication Details
- Journal
- Proceedings on CD-ROM - International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Scientific Meeting and Exhibition/Proceedings of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Scientific Meeting and Exhibition
- Published
- 2025-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.58530/2025/5425
- Primary Topic
- Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00