Carrageenan Brain Phantom for Use in MRI

Optimization of MRI is important for acquiring high-quality images during clinical examination. This can be achieved rapidly and most cost-efficiently with the use of imaging phantoms. These phantoms must be able to mimic human tissues and produce realistic relaxation times and dielectric properties. The most common MRI phantoms are constructed using either aqueous solutions or gel-like material. However, here have been few carrageenan phantoms developed for use in MRI that have shown great promise as an alternative to traditional agar phantoms. This research proposes a carrageenan brain phantom that simulates MR imaging properties as well as dielectric properties. Relaxometry and dielectric tests were performed to (1) characterize how the relaxation times and conductivity of carrageenan change with GdCl3 and NaCl. And (2) mimic white and grey brain matter using carrageenan-based phantoms.