Comprehensive Evaluation of Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) Scanners for Biomedical Applications
M. Irfan, N. Doğan
Abstract
Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging tomographic imaging technique that tracks and quantitatively measures the spatial distribution of the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). It is a radiation-free, background-free, and signal attenuation-free imaging modality that utilizes the non-linear behavior of the tracer response. The lowest acquisition time, high spatial resolution, and extreme sensitivity make it ideal for medical imaging in the future in comparison to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET). SPIONs are the main source of signal generation and have a significant influence on MPI characteristics. Many groups in the world are working to produce optimal tracer agents with a low toxicity profile for MPI applications. Versatile MPI scanners are developed and implemented at the pre-clinical stage to evaluate the performance of the system parameters. This review aims at giving an overview of the current developments and significant achievements of the tracers, imager design, image reconstruction, and potential applications of MPI since its first exposure to the scientific world in 2005.