An improved shielded RF transmit coil for low-frequency NMR and MRI.

We describe an actively shielded cylindrical RF transmit coil producing a highly uniform internal field (±0.5%) over an extended volume and a strongly suppressed (÷20) external field. Direct field mapping and experimental checks using in-situ NMR and MRI of polarised (3)He at low temperature demonstrate performance consistent with numerical field computations.

MRI of the lung using hyperpolarized 3He at very low magnetic field (3 mT).

Optical pumping of 3He produces large (hyper) nuclear-spin polarizations independent of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) field strength. This allows lung MRI to be performed at reduced fields with many associated benefits, such as lower tissue susceptibility gradients and decreased power absorption rates. Here we present results of 2D imaging as well as accurate 1D gas diffusion mapping of the human lung using 3He at very low field (3 mT). Furthermore, measurements of transverse relaxation in zero applied gradient are shown to accurately track pulmonary O2 partial pressure, opening the way for novel imaging sequences.