Magnetic resonance imaging of lungs using fluorinated gas

Three different pulse sequences (UTE, RARE and FISP) were optimized for 19F-MRI. Coronal slices of respiratory system of laboratory animals (rats) were obtained in 1.5 mm increments and 3D reconstruction of respiratory system of laboratory animals was constructed. For this experiment the animals for 30 minutes breathed with a mixture of fluorinated gas perfluorocyclobutane C4F8 and oxygen in a volume ratio of 70% to 30% using artificial lungs ventilation machine. We showed the possibility to obtain 19F-MRI images of lungs, trachea and bronchi without using breath-holding methods. Such an approach can be especially important for patients with pulmonology diseases (COPD, fibrosis, asthma, etc.). Experiment with a flat wireless coil has shown the possibility of increasing of the intensity of the recorded 19F-NMR signal from the lungs.