Magnetic resonance imaging of the static magnetic field distortion caused by magnetic nanoparticles: Simulation and experimental verification

• We have presented a theoretical simulation of the magnetic field variation caused by a thin layer of magnetite nanoparticles.
• Simulation and experiment showed that it is possible to evaluate concentration of magnetic nanoparticles but not their distribution in layer.
• We have shown that same volume of magnetic nanoparticles in aggregate and in planar shape cause artefact of same diameter.
• The outer diameter of the nanoparticle-induced artefact was the same for both states, aggregate and planar.

Magnetic nanoparticles are widely used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Nanoparticles in contrast agents possess a magnetic moment which generates local inhomogeneities in the static magnetic field of the MR scanner. These inhomogeneities cause a rapid loss of phase coherence which leads to the fast decay of the MR signal and thus produce a negative contrast in MR images. This article is focused on the interaction of magnetic nanoparticles aligned in a thin layer with the external homogeneous magnetic field, which changes the uniform distribution of magnetic nanoparticles in the carrier liquid. The goal of this study is to investigate the influence of the arrangement of magnetic nanoparticles on the final image contrast during MRI.