Development of a Human Platform with a Single-Sided Magnetic Particle Imaging Scanner

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is an emerging, tracer-based, radiation-free preclinical imaging technique that offers high sensitivity and real-time detection of a nonlinear magnetization response from non-radioactive superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs). These features make MPI especially promising for applications requiring sensitive detection of tracers labeling tumors within soft tissues. Recent advances include the Field-Free Line (FFL) technique, combined with single-sided scanning, which allows unrestricted access to the subject. This work presents the design, construction, and validation of a human-scale FFL MPI platform for breast imaging, considering factors such as Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and thermal management. The tabletop features an opening for the subject's breast, with a drive (Tx) coil beneath the tissue to generate a magnetic field. The Tx is mounted on a mechanically actuated gantry, enabling translational and rotational motion for potential full 3D FFL imaging. It operates over a 5–40 kHz range, with power-optimization and impedance-matching circuitry to maximize field amplitude while managing voltage limitations. The system aims to conduct safety studies to explore MPI's frequency limits in large mammalian tissues, with plans to adapt for human studies. This work enables the transition from a small-scale single-sided FFL MPI scanner to a human-scale imaging system for clinical applications.