Implementation of a Magnetic Particle Imaging System for a Dynamic Field Free Line

A new tomographic imaging modality called magnetic particle imaging (MPI) has been proposed in 2005. Using the non-linear magnetization curve of specific nanoparticles, a detectable signal proportional to the concentration of these particles can be generated. For medical imaging the tracer material can be injected into the blood system. Due to fast image acquisition, not only morphological, but also functional imaging is possible. The feasibility of medical imaging with this technique could be demonstrated at real time imaging of a beating mouse heart. Spatial encoding is provided by superimposing dedicated external magnetic fields. For the resulting shape of this field a field free line has been proposed. This work presents the implementation of the MPI system with a discretely rotatable and dynamically translatable field free line.