Researchers have created a new MRI antenna using metamaterials that produces sharper images of the brain and eye in less time. The device works with existing scanners and was developed by a team at the Max Delbrück Center.
A team led by doctoral student Nandita Saha at the Max Delbrück Center developed the antenna in collaboration with Rostock University Medical Center. It incorporates metamaterials to guide radiofrequency fields more efficiently, strengthening signals from deep tissues and complex areas.
Testing on a 7.0 Tesla scanner showed improved spatial resolution and faster data collection when imaging the eye and orbit in volunteers. Professor Thoralf Niendorf, senior author, said the work demonstrates how advanced physics can directly improve medical imaging.
Professor Oliver Stachs noted the technology offers high-resolution MRI of the eye and opens access to previously inaccessible physiological processes. The antenna can be customized for different body parts and may reduce scan times while enhancing patient comfort.
The findings were published in Advanced Materials. The team plans larger clinical studies and adaptations for organs such as the heart and kidneys.
