Webinar on Fast Field Cycling MRI by Dr. Lionel Broche
Fast Field-Cycling methods applied to imaging: an overview of the technology, methods and clinical results from Aberdeen
L. Broche
Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK
Fast Field-Cycling relaxometry is a powerful tool for the investigation of molecular dynamics that provides multi-scale information from milli- to nanometres, non-invasively. This offers interesting prospects as an imaging tool and multiple attempts have been tried in the past to make FFC MRI scanners. The FFC research group at the University of Aberdeen has been developing such systems over the last two decades and is now using a custom-made whole-body FFC imager for several clinical studies, including brain stroke, breast cancer and brain cancer, with the help of several partners. This presentation will introduce the technology developed by our team, its advantages and drawbacks, as well as the first results from the FFC imaging clinical studies, including FFC-NMR analyses of tissue samples.
Author Biography:
Dr. Lionel Broche followed an unusual BSc curriculum at the PHELMA school (France) that focused on multidisciplinary approaches between physics and life sciences. Following a 1-year sabbatical to work on neuron mapping, he started a PhD at the University of Surrey on the application of electromagnetic effects for the measurement of biophysical properties of cells (also called dielectrophoresis). After graduating he continued in the field of electromagnetism with the development of FFC-MRI at the University of Aberdeen, where he developed clinical trials aiming to test the applications of this emerging technology. His efforts have demonstrated the potential of this new imaging device in the fields of oncology, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritis and obesity, and these successes led to funding from sources such as ARUK, EPSRC or Horizon 2020.
Dr. Broche is currently involved in the development of new technologies for FFC-MRI as well as with further clinical research projects, involving several international partners. His main project aims to integrate these new developments into the construction of a next-generation FFC-MRI scanner inside the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where access to patients will be greatly facilitated so that larger and more ambitious clinical studies will be possible.