Development of human head size magnetic particle imaging system

A magnetic particle imaging device deploys an alternating magnetic field generated by a coil to induce magnetic signals from magnetic particles injected into the body. It then uses these signals to produce a three-dimensional image. A higher frequency alternating magnetic field enhances the sensitivity of signal detection. Frequencies of approximately 25 kHz are used in commercialized, compact devices designed for testing on small animals, such as mice. One of the factors that hitherto hindered the practical application of such systems in the treatment of humans was the extremely large size of the power supply unit needed to drive a much larger coil. Mitsubishi Electric has developed a process that minimizes extraneous signals (noise) that hinder the detection of magnetic signals by leveraging its extensive electromagnetic technology know-how acquired through the development of various devices and fine-tuning the configuration of the coils that generate alternating magnetic fields and those dedicated to signal detection. As a result, we have successfully developed a magnetic particle imaging device that can sensitively image magnetic particles in an area equivalent to the size of the human brain.