Enhancing MRI Image Quality with Quantum Magnetometry
Overview
Quantum magnetometers are enhancing MRI scan quality by improving the accuracy of magnetic field measurements during scans. This solution uses a quantum-optical sensor array to measure magnetic field instabilities and, in turn, improve the precision of MRI imaging, leading to clearer and more reliable diagnostic results.
Problem
MRI scanners, which use strong magnets and radio waves to generate detailed internal images, are susceptible to magnetic field instabilities during scanning. These fluctuations can degrade the image quality, leading to less accurate diagnoses.
Solution
A novel quantum magnetometer, based on laser spectroscopy and atomic gas sensing, measures the magnetic field during the MRI scan in real-time. This technology eliminates electronic interference, ensuring high-quality images by more accurately tracking the magnetic field’s variations during the scan.
Technology
The quantum magnetometer uses atom interferometry to measure the magnetic field. Laser beams pass through a gas of atoms, where the level of absorption changes depending on the strength of the magnetic field. By tracking these changes, the field strength can be determined precisely. This approach is non-intrusive and works within the high magnetic environments of MRI machines, without causing interference.
Prototype Deployment
A compact prototype has been successfully tested in an MRI system, detecting magnetic field instabilities during the scan. The next step is to refine the prototype and demonstrate how it enhances image quality through real-time magnetic field monitoring.
Commercial Potential
After a successful demonstration, this technology has the potential to be commercialized, offering a substantial market opportunity due to the widespread global use of MRI scanners. It could revolutionize MRI diagnostics by providing clearer and more accurate images, which would ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.
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