Toward the Optimization of D-Shaped Coils for the Use in an Open Magnetic Particle Imaging Scanner

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a novel medical imaging modality that allows for the quantitative detection of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles using static and oscillating magnetic fields. Essential aspects in the coil optimization for MPI include the magnetic field generated per unit current and the magnetic field homogeneity. For a set of D-shaped coils, which can be used in an open MPI scanner with lateral patient access to enable multidimensional imaging, these quantities were analyzed for a range of configurations. The results were compared with the situation in a four-wire-model and a four-wire-model with return paths (called eight-wire-model). It was found that for large coil radii, the effects of the D-coil set resemble those of the eight-wire-model; however, the local minimum in the magnetic field inhomogeneity is less pronounced.