Dynamic MR imaging of a minipig's knee using a high-density multi-channel receive array and a movement device.

Abstract

OBJECT:

To construct an optimised, high-density receive array and a movement device to achieve dynamic imaging of the knee in orthopedic large animal models (e.g., minipigs) at 1.5 T.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A 13-channel RF receive array was constructed, and the crucial choice of the array element size (based on considerations like region of interest, geometry of the minipig's knee, achievable signal-to-noise ratio, applicability of parallel imaging, etc.) was determined using the Q factors of loops with different sizes. A special movement device was constructed to guide and produce a reproducible motion of the minipig's knee during acquisition.

RESULTS:

The constructed array was electrically characterised and the reproducibility of the cyclic motion was validated. Snapshots of dynamic in vivo images taken at a temporal resolution (308 ms) are presented. Some of the fine internal structures within the minipig's knee, like cruciate ligaments, are traced in the snapshots.

CONCLUSION:

This study is a step towards making dynamic imaging which can give additional information about joint injuries when static MRI is not able to give sufficient information, a routine clinical application. There, the combination of a high-density receive array and a movement device will be highly helpful in the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of knee injuries in the future.

• Authors: Sairamesh Raghuraman, Joachim H X Schrauth, Daniel L Weber, Frank Resmer, Meike Haddad-Weber, Felix A Breuer, Ulrich Nöth, Peter M Jakob, Titus Lanz, Daniel Haddad
• Journal: Magma (New York, N.Y.) (MAGMA) Vol. 26 Issue 2 Pg. 215-28 (Apr 2013) ISSN: 1352-8661 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23014944 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Animals
• Biomechanical Phenomena
• Equipment Design
• Joints (anatomy & histology, physiology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (instrumentation, statistics & numerical data)
• Models, Animal
• Phantoms, Imaging
• Swine
• Swine, Miniature (anatomy & histology, physiology)
• Video Recording