Spin-lattice relaxation in multiple-pulse experiments as contrast parameter in NMR imaging of solids

The molecular motion contrast parameter for NMR imaging of solids and quasi-solids based on the spin-lattice relaxation (T _leff) in multiple-pulse experiments is discussed. For Ostroff-Waugh multiple-pulse sequence theT _leff contrast parameter is evaluated in slow and fast molecular motion regime and compared with spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame contrast parameter. It is shown thatT _leff is offering a good molecular motion contrast in NMR imaging of polymer systems. The radio-frequency pulse scheme forT _leff-imaging using magic-echo phase-encoding procedure for recording spatial distribution in solids is introduced. A method forT _leff-weighted imaging using gradient spin-echo valid for weak dipolar solids is also discussed. The one-dimensional protonT _leff image using Ostroff-Waugh pulse sequence in combination with frequency-encoding imaging procedure is presented for a phantom of poly(ethyleneoxide) and poly(methylmethacrylate). The distribution of mechanical stresses in a acrylate film on glass is investigated by protonT _leff-imaging. A proton spin-density image weighted byT _leff, for a mixture of two elastomers with different crosslink density is also shown.     

Experiment on the object-image distance parameter in the X-ray phase contrast imaging system

For the X-ray phase contrast imaging system, in addition to the hardware-related parameters, the object-image distance is an important parameter that affects the imaging results. Based on the Fresnel diffraction theory, the X-ray phase contrast formation mechanism is analyzed to find the theoretical relationship between the object-image distance parameter and the image contrast. Through the experimental simulation on a ball model, images with edge enhancement effect and image contrast data were obtained with regard to different object-image distance conditions. The analysis and experimental results show that, clear image information about the edges of the sample structures can be got if the object-image distance parameter is set suitably.     

Minimization of diffusive attenuation in T2-weighted NMR images of porous solids using turboSPI

This communication presents the results of T₂-weighted nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a water saturated porous volcanic rock using a fast single point imaging technique (turboSPI). Imaging porous materials with heterogeneously distributed mineral products, and air voids, using conventional imaging methods, which introduce T₂-weighting by increasing the time between the excitation and refocusing pulses, often results in high diffusive signal losses and susceptibility distortion. T₂-weighted images acquired of a water saturated porous rock using turboSPI with an effective echo time of 8.1 ms (actual inter-echo time of 0.9 ms) exhibit significantly decreased diffusive attenuation, compared to analogous images obtained with an inter-echo time of 8.1 ms.     

Spectral parameters for quantitative mobility contrast in NMR imaging of solid polymers

Different procedures based on parameters of the wideline NMR absorption spectrum are presented to obtain localized molecular mobility contrast for imaging of solid polymers. For this purpose a ¹H-NMR imaging technique with magic sandwich echoes is used for acquiring localized wideline spectra. With samples composed of polystyrene and high impact strength polystyrene, and polycarbonate and low density polyethylene a spatial difference in NMR absorption spectrum lineshape and linewidth is displayed. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of rigid and mobile domains in a heterogeneous polymer can be derived from the NMR spectral components. It is demonstrated that a van Vleck moment analysis can be performed from spatially resolved magic echo decays. The second (M₂) and fourth (M₄) moments of the rigid components show considerable variation with the spatial composition of the investigated samples.     

Exploring experimental parameter choice for rapid speckle‐tracking phase‐contrast X‐ray imaging with a paper analyzer

Phase‐contrast X‐ray imaging using a paper analyzer enables the visualization of X‐ray transparent biological structures using the refractive properties of the sample. The technique measures the sample‐induced distortions of a spatially random reference pattern to retrieve quantitative sample information. This phase‐contrast method is promising for biomedical application due to both a simple experimental set‐up and a capability for real‐time imaging. The authors explore the experimental configuration required to achieve robustness and accuracy in terms of (i) the paper analyzer feature size, (ii) the sample‐to‐detector distance, and (iii) the exposure time. Results using a synchrotron source confirm that the technique achieves accurate phase retrieval with a range of paper analyzers and at exposures as short as 0.5 ms. These exposure times are sufficiently short relative to characteristic physiological timescales to enable real‐time dynamic imaging of living samples. A theoretical guide to the choice of sample‐to‐detector distance is also derived. While the measurements are specific to the set‐up, these guidelines, the example speckle images, the strategies for analysis in the presence of noise and the experimental considerations and discussion will be of value to those who wish to use the speckle‐tracking paper analyzer technique.     

Microbubbles containing gadolinium as contrast agents for both phase contrast and magnetic resonance imaging

Portal vein imaging is an important method for investigating portal venous disorders. However, the diagnostic requirements are not usually satisfied when using single imaging techniques. Diagnostic accuracy can be improved by combining different imaging techniques. Contrast agents that can be used for combined imaging modalities are needed. In this study, the feasibility of using microbubbles containing gadolinium (MCG) as contrast agents for both phase contrast imaging (PCI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are investigated. MCG were made by encapsulating sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) gas with gadolinium and lyophilized powder. Absorption contrast imaging (ACI) and PCI of MCG were performed and compared in vitro. MCG were injected into the main portal trunk of living rats. PCI and MRI were performed at 2 min and 10 min after MCG injection, respectively. PCI exploited the differences in the refractive index and visibly showed the MCG, which were not detectable by ACI. PCI could facilitate clear revelation of the MCG‐infused portal veins. The diameter of the portal veins could be determined by the largest MCG in the same portal vein. The minimum diameter of clearly detected portal veins was about 300 µm by MRI. These results indicate that MCG could enhance both PCI and MRI for imaging portal veins. The detection sensitivity of PCI and MRI could compensate for each other when using MCG contrast agents for animals.     

Elemental x-ray imaging using Zernike phase contrast

We develop an element-specific x-ray microscopy method by using Zernike phase contrast imaging near absorption edges, where a real part of refractive index changes abruptly. In this method two phase contrast images are subtracted to obtain the target element: one is at the absorption edge of the target element and the other is near the absorption edge. The x-ray exposure required by this method is expected to be significantly lower than that of conventional absorption-based x-ray elemental imaging methods. Numerical calculations confirm the advantages of this highly efficient imaging method.     

浑浊介质中图像对比度与成像方式的关系

浑浊介质中图像对比度的物理增强方法一直是研究热点, 目前学者们提出的距离选通成像、偏振差分成像和偏振距离选通成像均能提高图像的对比度, 但提高效果与成像距离的关系尚不明确. 本文分别利用以上三种成像方式及普通强度成像对处于不同浓度浑浊介质中的目标进行成像, 研究了图像强度和对比度随成像距离的变化情况. 结果表明: 从滤除的散射光强来看, 偏振距离选通成像最优, 而偏振差分成像在成像距离较远时优于距离选通成像; 三种成像方式滤除的散射光强值趋于稳定的阈值距离各不相同; 对比度改变相同量时, 偏振距离选通成像对应成像距离的变化量最大, 偏振差分成像次之, 强度成像最小, 且均与散射系数成反比. 本文对浑浊介质成像效果及机理的分析, 对进一步提高浑浊介质中目标的分辨及识别具有重要意义.     

Basic principles of static proton low-resolution spin diffusion NMR in nanophase-separated materials with mobility contrast

We review basic principles of low-resolution proton NMR spin diffusion experiments, relying on mobility differences in nm-sized phases of inhomogeneous organic materials such as block-co- or semicrystalline polymers. They are of use for estimates of domain sizes and insights into nanometric dynamic inhomogeneities. Experimental procedures and limitations of mobility-based signal decomposition/filtering prior to spin diffusion are addressed on the example of as yet unpublished data on semicrystalline poly(ϵ-caprolactone), PCL. Specifically, we discuss technical aspects of the quantitative, dead-time free detection of rigid-domain signals by aid of the magic-sandwich echo (MSE), and magic-and-polarization-echo (MAPE) and double-quantum (DQ) magnetization filters to select rigid and mobile components, respectively. Such filters are of general use in reliable fitting approaches for phase composition determinations. Spin diffusion studies at low field using benchtop instruments are challenged by rather short ¹H T₁ relaxation times, which calls for simulation-based analyses. Applying these, in combination with domain sizes as determined by small-angle X-ray scattering, we have determined spin diffusion coefficients D for PCL (0.34, 0.19 and 0.032 nm²/ms for crystalline, interphase and amorphous parts, respectively). We further address thermal-history effects related to secondary crystallization. Finally, the state of knowledge concerning the connection between D values determined locally at the atomic level, using ¹³C detection and CP- or REDOR-based “¹H hole burning” procedures, and those obtained by calibration experiments, is summarized. Specifically, the non-trivial dependence of D on the magic-angle spinning (MAS) frequency, with a minimum under static and a local maximum under moderate-MAS conditions, is highlighted.     

X射线相位衬度成像

文章使用形象、生动、通俗、易懂的语言,介绍X射线相位衬度成像的基本概念,物理思想和方法,其中包括X射线的基本性质、光的波粒二象性、同步辐射X射线光源和常规非相干X射线光源的相位相干性,以及X射线相位衬度成像方法、三维成像的基本原理和相位衬度成像的最新进展,将抽象的相位、相位一阶导数和相位二阶导数概念与形象的光波阵面平移、倾斜和弯曲等形变联系在一起,着重介绍相位衬度成像发展中的创新思想,力图使读者能分享人类文明在这个学科发展中积累的精神财富.     

X射线相位衬度成像

文章使用形象、生动、通俗、易懂的语言,介绍X射线相位衬度成像的基本概念,物理思想和方法,其中包括X射线的基本性质、光的波粒二象性、同步辐射X射线光源和常规非相干X射线光源的相位相干性,以及X射线相位衬度成像方法、三维成像的基本原理和相位衬度成像的最新进展,将抽象的相位、相位一阶导数和相位二阶导数概念与形象的光波阵面平移、倾斜和弯曲等形变联系在一起,着重介绍相位衬度成像发展中的创新思想,力图使读者能分享人类文明在这个学科发展中积累的精神财富.     

数字相衬法成像

本文给出了数字相衬法成像的技术,并对激光扫描声显微镜的数据进行了处理,结果表明数字相衬法的像比普通方法的像更好.和相位板相比,数字方法简单易行,用途广泛.     

Magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) in FLASH MR imaging

Magnetization transfer between bound and free protons was used as a source of contrast in high speed MR imaging using the FLASH technique. Contrast in FLASH MR images was found to depend upon the reduced magnetization and the spin lattice relaxation rate of free protons in the presence of bound proton radio-frequency saturation. MTC FLASH imaging was thus used to estimate the variation with saturation frequency of free proton spin-lattice relaxation during magnetization transfer.     

超声造影剂研究进展

本文综述超声造影剂的现状及新进展，在简要介绍造影剂物理原理的基础上，对超声造影剂在医学超声领域尤其是低速血流测量与组织灌注成像中的应用进行了总结与讨论，并介绍了用于实验研究和第二期临床试验的国际上最新的超声造影剂的特点，制备技术与评价方法。     

On the utility of spectroscopic imaging as a tool for generating geometrically accurate MR images and parameter maps in the presence of field inhomogeneities and chemical shift effects

Lack of spatial accuracy is a recognized problem in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which severely detracts from its value as a stand-alone modality for applications that put high demands on geometric fidelity, such as radiotherapy treatment planning and stereotactic neurosurgery. In this paper, we illustrate the potential and discuss the limitations of spectroscopic imaging as a tool for generating purely phase-encoded MR images and parameter maps that preserve the geometry of an object and allow localization of object features in world coordinates.     

Simple phase extraction in x-ray differential phase contrast imaging

A fast and simple method to extract phase-contrast images from interferograms is proposed, and its effectiveness is demonstrated through simulation and experiment. For x-ray differential phase contrast imaging, a strong attenuation signal acts as an overwhelming background intensity that obscures the weak phase signal so that no obvious phase-gradient information is detectable in the raw image. By subtracting one interferogram from another, chosen at particular intervals,the phase signal can be isolated and magnified.     

Visualization of mouse spinal cord intramedullary arteries using phase‐ and attenuation‐contrast tomographic imaging

Many spinal cord circulatory disorders present the substantial involvement of small vessel lesions. The central sulcus arteries supply nutrition to a large part of the spinal cord, and, if not detected early, lesions in the spinal cord will cause irreversible damage to the function of this organ. Thus, early detection of these small vessel lesions could potentially facilitate the effective diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. However, the detection of such small vessels is beyond the capability of current imaging techniques. In this study, an imaging method is proposed and the potential of phase‐contrast imaging (PCI)‐ and attenuation‐contrast imaging (ACI)‐based synchrotron radiation for high‐resolution tomography of intramedullary arteries in mouse spinal cord is validated. The three‐dimensional vessel morphology, particularly that of the central sulcus arteries (CSA), detected with these two imaging models was quantitatively analyzed and compared. It was determined that both PCI‐ and ACI‐based synchrotron radiation can be used to visualize the physiological arrangement of the entire intramedullary artery network in the mouse spinal cord in both two dimensions and three dimensions at a high‐resolution scale. Additionally, the two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional vessel morphometric parameter measurements obtained with PCI are similar to the ACI data. Furthermore, PCI allows efficient and direct discrimination of the same branch level of the CSA without contrast agent injection and is expected to provide reliable biological information regarding the intramedullary artery. Compared with ACI, PCI might be a novel imaging method that offers a powerful imaging platform for evaluating pathological changes in small vessels and may also allow better clarification of their role in neurovascular disorders.