Assessment of the Neonatal Lung Using Structural and Functional MRI – Year two

Currently available medical imaging tools, such as x-rays, are inadequate for assessing the lungs of preterm neonates. There is considerable interest in using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor lung development in neonates longitudinally, since it is a non-invasive and non-ionizing imaging modality. MRI can potentially detect complications at an early stage and improve outcomes by monitoring the effectiveness of therapy, however, images typically suffer from poor signal and organ motion. In collaboration with Siemens, this proposal will develop, optimize and test novel MRI tools for improved assessment of neonatal lungs. After optimizing MRI hardware and software in year one of this proposal, the renewal year will translate these novel proton methods to neonatal lung imaging. This proposed research will help Siemens develop and validate pulmonary neonatal imaging approaches that will eventually be released as commercial products for the benefit of healthcare in Ontario.

Faculty Supervisor:

Giles Santyr

Student:

Marcus Couch

Partner:

Siemens Healthcare Ltd.

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program: