Improvement of F MR image uniformity in a mouse model of cellular therapy using inductive coupling.

Objective: Improve F magnetic resonance imaging uniformity of perfluorocarbon (PFC)-labeled cells by using a secondary inductive resonator tuned to 287 MHz to enhance the induced radio frequency (RF) magnetic field (B) at 7.05 T.

Materials And Methods: Following Faraday's induction law, the sign of induced B made by the secondary resonator can be changed depending on the tuning of the resonator. A secondary resonator located on the opposite side of the phantom of the F surface coil can be shown to enhance or subtract the induced B field, depending upon its tuning.

Results: The numerical simulation results of rotating transmit B magnitude (|B |) and corresponding experimental F images were compared without and with the secondary resonator. With the secondary resonator tuned to 287 MHz, improvements of |B | and F image uniformity were demonstrated. The use of the secondary resonator improved our ability to visualize transplanted cell location non-invasively over a period of 6 weeks.

Conclusion: The secondary resonator tuned to enhance the induced B results in improved image uniformity in a pre-clinical application, enabling cell tracking of PFC-labeled cells with the secondary resonator.