Projects

Low-field MRI

Conventional high-field MRI systems are expensive, heavy and require specialized infrastructure, which limits accessibility in low-resource and remote healthcare settings. We are developing a low-field MRI system which is cost-effective and lightweight aimed at improving access to diagnostic imaging for underserved and remote populations.

The magnet system is based on a Halbach arrangement of 12.7mm cubic N52-grade magnets, arranged in multiple rings, each containing several azimuthal layers. Achieving an efficient trade-off between field strength and homogeneity of the magnet is central to developing the low-cost portable scanner. Therefore, the magnet arrangement was optimized using a Genetic Algorithm with Tournament Selection. The final design consists of 990 magnets arranged as uniformly spaced concentric rings with a uniform spacing of 16.5mm between the rings. The ring former is made using CNC-milling of acrylic sheets. The magnetic field inside the bore was measured using a 3-axis field mapper with a gaussmeter mounted on its arm.