Why Low-Field MR Instruments?
Conventionally, a nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) devices usually equips high-field superconducting magnets. Why are there more and more low-field nuclear magnetic resonance devices available in the market?
Although high-field MR instruments, which are greater than 1.5T, still dominates the market. However, these high-field MR equipments, usually requires a higher end setup and maintenance conditions. In addition, due to its inherent high energy, large volume operation characteristics causes some restrictions in usage.
In contrast, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance instruments have certain advantages in these conditions. Here we come to understand the advantages of the low-field MR instrument, and its advantages.
Setup And Operation at A Lower Cost
Normally, the purchase price of these low-field MR devices, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR), or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are lower. The cost increases according to the strength of the magnetic field, typically, and it's not growing by linear increasing. A low-field MR equipment uses lower cost permanent magnets, and a 0.35T permanent magnet usually half of the price of a 1.5T superconducting unit.
From the maintenance and operation point of view, low-field MR instrument does not require liquid helium cooling. The maintenance of a low-field MR device is also easy. The operator in the field is good enough to carry out basic daily maintenance jobs. In addition, delivery for repair RMA is also relatively easy for a low-field MR device.
Open Design
Low-field MR instrument has smaller space requirements, and it's easier to design an open architecture with a wider aperture and maximize the sample size. Or the patient's comfort during the detection of instrument.
Lower Impact On The Surroundings
Compare to high-field MR instruments, a low-field MR equipment can reduce the impact of magnetic field on the samples or patients. At the same time, its interference with other peripheral equipment, such as anesthesia or monitoring equipment, is also significantly reduced. The other instruments can be placed closer to low-field nuclear magnetic resonance instruments.
For biological samples or patients, a low-field MR equipment has much lower energy accumulation in the tissue than those high-field MR equipment. It's because the energy accumulated in the tissue is proportional to the square of the magnetic field strength. For the children or the elderly, the weaker low-field MR device can reduce the body temperature accumulation, it is a great advantages to them.
Reduce The Move Artifacts
Motion artifacts are usually not apparent on low field MR equipment. In particular, those patients who have metal parts in the body, low-field magnetic imaging equipment can reduce the sense of space distortion, caused by distortion and signal attenuation.