The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed prototype calibration tools, called phantoms, for a new medical imaging technique known as ultralow-field MRI. These represent the first standardized tools for this method, which relies on quantum sensors to detect magnetic fields. The phantoms are plastic cylinders filled with salt solutions that act as stand-ins for human tissue during testing.
The imaging method uses SQUID sensors, which are quantum devices that detect extremely weak magnetic fields. This allows the machines to work at much lower strengths than traditional MRI scanners, making them smaller, cheaper, and capable of being combined with other diagnostic tools. The technology aims to improve the detection of cancers and other conditions.
NIST plans to improve the phantoms for better stability and measurement tracking in the near future. Hospitals and manufacturers are already testing the tools, with some companies working to distribute them widely. This standardization is intended to encourage more hospitals to adopt the technology for better patient care.
Keywords: ultralow-field MRI, phantom calibration, SQUID-based imaging
