Magnetoresistive Hybrid Sensors for Simultaneous Low-Field MRI and Biomagnetic Measurements

Recently developed magnetoresistive hybrid sensors can detect magnetic signals in the femtotesla range. This sensor is a combination of a Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) field sensor and flux-to-field superconducting transformer [1]. Hybrid sensors are the good candidates for Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (LF-MRI) and neural signal detection. The primary advantages of these sensors are their robustness against external static fields and fast recovery after RF-pulses. We present the first the results obtained on low-field NMR with static fields up to 8 mT. MRI images obtained at LF-MRI without pre-polarization will be presented. Finally the combination of low-field MRI based on hybrid sensors with neural signal detection (MEG) will be discussed.