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Abstract #3605

Towards a Quadrupolar MRI Contrast (QMRIC) for Detecting Early Degenerative Changes in Cartilage Tissue

Jerschow A, Ling W, Schweitzer M, Regatte R
New York University

The purpose of the work is to demonstrate the feasibility of achieving a quadrupolar MRI contrast mechanism (QMRIC) in 23Na MRI of cartilage tissue. The pulse sequences are based on frequency-swept pulse methods. Quadrupolar couplings are measured in bovine cartilage as a function of proteoglycan depletion. Numerical optimizations are used to achieve a high efficiency in the selection of the signals from ordered sodium environments.