Effects of scanning and reconstruction parameters on image quality in magnetic particle imaging

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a novel medical imaging modality, based on the magnetization of the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. In MPI, an external magnetic field called the drive field is applied to excite the nanoparticles. The link between the image quality and the drive field parameters is complex, as nanoparticle behavior changes with the drive field parameters. In addition, the maximum applicable drive field strength is limited by human safety restrictions. Recent studies have shown that the resolution improves at low drive field amplitudes and SNR enhances as drive field frequency increases. Other studies have confirmed that scanning at frequencies as high as 150 kHz is feasible for human-size MPI scanners. However, how the image quality is affected by drive field parameters, especially for high frequencies around 150 kHz, was not investigated. This thesis investigates the effects of the drive field parameters on the image quality in MPI with relaxometer experiments. The effects of the safety limits are also explored across different drive field frequencies via simulations. The results provide important insight in determining the optimal drive field parameters for safe MPI scanners. This thesis also introduces a new method for improving the image quality in MPI. MPI images can suffer from asymmetric hazing and irregular trending artifacts when nanoparticle response is delayed due to relaxation effects. This thesis proposes a new method based on averaging of relaxation effects from negative and positive half-cycles of the MPI signal, combined with a Savitzky-Golay detrending filter. Both experimental and simulation results demonstrate a significant improvement in image quality.