Abstract #4371

A Shielding-free Ultra-low-field 0.055T Brain MRI Scanner for Accessible Healthcare

Ed X. Wu^1,2,3, Yilong Liu^1,2, Alex T. L. Leong^1,2, Yujiao Zhao^1,2, Linfang Xiao^1,2, Henry K. F. Mak⁴, Tsang Anderson⁵, Gary K. K. Lau⁶, and Gilberto K. K. Leung⁵

¹Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, ²Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, ³School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, ⁴Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, ⁵Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, ⁶Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

Synopsis

In this study, we describe an ultra-low-field brain MRI scanner that operates using a standard AC power outlet and is low cost to build. Using a permanent 0.055 Tesla Samarium-cobalt magnet and deep learning for cancellation of electromagnetic interference, it requires neither magnetic nor radiofrequency shielding cages. We also successfully implement four standard clinical neuroimaging protocols (T1W, T2W, FLAIR like, and DWI) and demonstrate human brain imaging on this system. This proof-of-concept work will advance the development of a new class of MRI technologies to democratize MRI for low and middle income countries and increase MRI accessibility in healthcare.

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