Increasing the efficiency of open-sided field free line scanning MPI system using silicon-steel core

Abstract

Currently available preclinical magnetic particle imaging (MPI) systems can provide mm/sub mm -scale resolution for bore diameter of few centimeters. A human-scale system that preserves mm-scale resolution requires large coil sizes and high amount of current and power. Since the resolution in MPI mainly depends on the magnetic field gradient of the selection field coils, core loading may help to obtain a sufficient resolution with a feasible coil size and power consumption. Here, we present an open-sided small-size MPI system in which the outer selection field coils are loaded with a planar magnetic core. We investigated the effect of core loading on the magnetic field efficiencies and the impedances of the coils. For the measurements, three different type of silicon-steels with varying thicknesses are used as core material. Conducted simulation and experimental studies showed that gradient efficiency of the inner and outer coils can be increased by approximately 1.25 and 2 times, respectively.