PNNL

Abstract

In the interconnected pores of a material like the lung the transverse relaxation time (T2) for 3He gas is shortened by the deposition of magnetic microspheres and rapid molecular diffusion through induced field distortions. Here, this unique relaxation process is described theoretically and predicted T2-shortening is validated using pressurized 3He gas in a foam model of lung tissue. Results demonstrate that – 1) significant T2-shortening is induced by microsphere deposition, 2) shortened T2’s are accurately predicted, and 3) measured relaxation times are exploitable for quantifying the local volume fraction of magnetic microspheres deposited in gas-filled spaces.