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Theoretical and computational methods for optimising the design of gradient and shim coils with arbitrary shapes and topologies were developed in collaboration with Magnex Scientific as part of a CASE award (2004-07). The resulting software was licenced to Agilent (who now own Magnex Scientific), for whom it has opened up new market opportunities in the supply of novel magnetic resonance imaging systems, leading to £3.4M sales since 2009. The software has also been used by Paramed Medical Systems to improve their `open' magnetic resonance imaging systems, which are optimised for orthopaedic imaging, allow vertical subject posture, and facilitate image-guided treatment, as well as offering a better patient experience. Our work has thus resulted in impact in the economy and healthcare.
Imaging speed is of critical importance in most Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging applications. King's College London (KCL) researchers have developed spatiotemporal undersamplings, or "k-t" methods, for three-dimensional (3D) imaging and corresponding image reconstruction methods that have increased the speed of imaging significantly, so that particular scans are now 5-7 fold faster. This has directly impacted the experience of the patient whose overall examination time has been reduced from more than 1 hour to less than 30 minutes depending on the application. The technology has been patented and has been implemented by Philips Healthcare, one of the three major manufacturers of MR equipment. A clinical solution platform for 3D MR cardiac perfusion and quantitative flow imaging, based on the technology developed at KCL, has also been launched by the Swiss company, GyroTools LLC.
Nottingham researchers constructed the world's first 3T MRI scanner, thus demonstrating the viability and benefits of high-field MRI. This provided a stimulus for magnet and MRI system manufacturers to develop 3T scanners, which have now become established as the standard platform for high-end clinical MRI studies. We estimate that since 2008: 2500 3T scanners have been installed, representing a global investment of $5 billion;and 30-40 million patient examinations have been performed with 3T MRI scanners. Technical advances which underpinned the Nottingham 3T scanner also impacted on the development of functional MRI, thus opening up a new field of medical research and clinical application. In a subsequent phase of research, the Nottingham group developed ultra-high (7T) magnetic MRI in partnership with PhiIips; forty 7T MRI scanners (current unit cost >$10M) have now been installed across the world.
New methods to study the biophysical action of the human digestive system were developed in Nottingham using high speed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and have been used by: (i) the food and drug industry (Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Reckitt Benckiser, Glaxo and McNeil Pharmaceuticals) to develop new products; (ii) Plant Bioscience Limited (PBL) to develop an artificial Dynamic Gut Model (DGM) which is now being applied commercially to characterise drug and food ingestion; (iii) the BBC and other media agencies in programmes related to the promotion of better understanding of nutrition in an effort to combat obesity.
Atrial fibrillation (AF), a form of cardiac rhythm disturbance, significantly increases risk of stroke, heart failure and sudden death. The Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at King's College London and Philips Healthcare collaborated to develop a platform for guiding cardiovascular catheterisation procedures in patients with AF. The EP Navigator is a commercial, clinical product that integrates pre-acquired magnetic resonance and computer tomography images with real-time X-ray fluoroscopy. This enhances visualisation, thereby reducing procedure time and the patient's exposure to radiation. The EP Navigator is used in around 350 out of 2,000 centres worldwide that carry out ablation therapies for cardiac arrhythmias, despite strong competition.
The technique of positron emission particle tracking (PEPT), conceived and developed by David Parker from the School of Physics and colleagues in the School Chemical Engineering, has enabled a paradigm shift in the understanding of a number of industry relevant chemical engineering problems. The ability to interrogate the motion of fluids and particles within opaque systems has led to its adoption across a wide range of industry sectors including oil and chemical, minerals, and home and personal care leading to improved process models. Key process improvements have been reported by six major industrial sponsors, representing significant fiscal benefit, environmental benefits and enhanced competitiveness.
In addition to a continuing programme of studies at Birmingham, PEPT measurements are now performed at the iThemba National Lab in South Africa, where since 2009 a PEPT facility has been developed with assistance from Parker and funding from AngloAmericanPlatinum.
The challenge of observing complex industrial processes in optically opaque machinery has limited the potential for optimising efficiency and throughput. The technique of positron emission particle tracking (PEPT), conceived and developed by David Parker and colleagues in Physics, over comes this barrier offering a paradigm shift for studying flows in realistic industrial plant and for validating computational models of flow. As a result of this transformative work, industry has improved the design of key plant for companies such as Procter and Gamble and Johnson Matthey Catalysts. In addition to a continuing programme of studies at Birmingham, PEPT measurements are now performed at the University of Bergen and at the iThemba National Lab in South Africa, where since 2009 a PEPT facility has been developed in collaboration with Birmingham with funding from AngloPlatinum, which has had significant impact on improving mineral processing on an industrial scale.
Groundbreaking UCL research and development of magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications led to the introduction in 2012 of the world's first licensed nanoparticulate injectable medical device, the Sienna+ tracer, and its associated detection system, the SentiMag. A UCL spinout company, Endomagnetics Ltd., has introduced this new technology to better diagnose and treat cancer without the need for invasive surgery. The system uses magnetic materials, rather than radioisotopes, to locate the sentinel lymph nodes that are the key indicators of the spread of cancer away from the primary tumour site. As well as improving patient outcomes, the system considerably improves hospital workflow and efficiency since, unlike radioisotopes, the injectable magnetic tracer (Sienna+) is readily available and requires no special handling
Since 2009 the read heads of all hard disks have used a technology based on magnesium oxide (MgO). The development of this technology can be partly attributed to a 2001 publication [3.1] co-authored by Dr Andrey Umerski of The Open University, which concluded that a system based on MgO would lead to a huge increase in magnetoresistance, a physical property that determines the efficiency of hard disk read heads.
In 2004 these theoretical predictions were confirmed experimentally; by 2008 the new type of read head based on MgO was manufactured commercially, leading to significant increases in storage capacity, from GBs to TBs.
Pioneering research at Essex developed an innovative mathematical method for determining the chlorophyll fluorescence parameter Fo', as well as novel LED lighting technology and a multi-plant imaging system. This instrument is marketed by Technologica. Originally an Essex spinout, the company has sold 42 units across Europe, Asia and South America since 2006, recording its highest ever profits over the past three years (totalling ~£115k). Essex's mathematical method for determining Fo' is also used by other manufacturers, who have since developed their own imaging systems. This research has helped to establish chlorophyll fluorescence imaging as a mainstream screening tool, now used globally to inform a range of crop production and handling strategies.