Laboratory of Imaging Technology

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Laboratory of Imaging Technology

The Laboratory of Imaging Technology Program, led by Marcus Chen, is focused on the development of advanced MRI techniques that leverage modern acquisition and reconstruction techniques for cardiac imaging, lung imaging and MRI-guided cardiovascular catheterization procedures.

Marcus Chen, M.D.

Senior Clinician

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Meet the Team

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Senior Investigator Research Interests

Research Interests

The Laboratory of Imaging Technology Program, led by Dr. Marcus Chen, focuses on the development of novel MRI technology for cardiac imaging, lung imaging, and MRI-guided cardiovascular catheterization procedures. The lab uses a custom high-performance 0.55T MRI system as well as clinical MRI systems. Specifically, Dr. Chen’s lab develops rapid non-Cartesian imaging methods, inline artifact corrections, and advanced image reconstruction methods which use contemporary computational power integrated into the clinical environment via the Gadgetron. The lab emphasizes translation of new methods to clinical applications through collaboration with interventional cardiologists, imaging cardiologists, pulmonologists, radiologists and critical care physicians.

Videos

Videos
Multi-section imaging of the lung using T2-weighted MRI (1.1mm x 1.1 mm x 6mm) in a woman with lymphangioleiomyomatosis resulting in innumerable thin walled pulmonary cysts. Adapted from Campbell-Washburn AE, et al, Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging https://doi.org/10.1148/ryct.2021200611 (Online ahead of print)
ECG-gated spiral in-out bSSFP cine imaging at 0.55T (spiral readout duration = 6.5ms, TR = 8ms). Advanced acquisition strategies increase SNR with limited artifacts at 0.55T. Adapted from Restivo MC, et al, Magn Reson Med, 2020; 84(5):2364-2375.
Interactive real-time imaging for MRI-guided cardiovascular catheterization at 0.55T. The bright gadolinium-filled balloon at the tip of the catheter is navigated in different heart chambers. Adapted from Campbell-Washburn et al, Radiology, 2019; 293(2):384-393.

Images

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Late gadolinium enhancement (scar imaging) at 0.55T and 1.5T in three example patients with myocardial infarction.

These comparisons demonstrate diagnostic similarity between the research 0.55T MRI and clinical 1.5T MRI. Adapted from Bandettini et al, JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2021 Sep;14(9):1866-1868. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2021.02.024.

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Measurement of regional lung function using oxygen-enhanced MRI

Lung signal intensity histograms demonstrate signal enhancement on T1-weighted imaging with hyperoxia, which results in signal enhancement visible in percent enhancement maps. Adapted from Bhattacharya et al, NMR Biomed. 2021 Aug;34(8):e4562. doi: 10.1002/nbm.4562

Clinical Trials and Studies

Technical Development of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) Using a Low Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Scanner System

Recruiting

Adult, Older Adult

All Sexes

Accepting Healthy Volunteers

Do you have coronary heart disease or are you healthy and would like to participate in research? This study is comparing how well two types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners can detect different types of heart diseases, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, congenital heart disease, and heart valve disease. The new type of MRI scanner in this study uses less energy than a traditional scanner and may be suitable for people who have metal devices in their bodies. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Prospective Evaluation of New Techniques in Radiation Reduction for Cardiovascular Computed Tomographic Angiography

Recruiting

Adult, Older Adult

All Sexes

Not Accepting Healthy Volunteers

Do you have a scheduled CT scan for heart disease? This study will look at different ways to take pictures of the heart and blood vessels using computed tomography (CT) that use less radiation than traditional scans. This study is located at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Prospective Evaluation of Next Generation CT Reconstruction (NextGenIR)

Recruiting

Adult, Older Adult

All Sexes

Not Accepting Healthy Volunteers

Are you at least 18 years old and scheduled for a CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis? In this study, researchers want to learn if new CT imaging methods with less radiation make images that are similar to traditional ways. If you are at least 18 and your doctor has said you need a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, or pelvis, you may be able to participate. This study is taking place at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Meet the Team

Marcus Chen, M.D.

Senior Clinician

Dr. Marcus Chen is a Senior Clinician and leads the Laboratory of Imaging Technology at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) located in Bethesda, Maryland.  Dr. Chen is a graduate of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. He earned his MD degree at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and completed training in internal medicine, nuclear medicine, cardiology and computed tomography at the University of Colorado in Denver, and a magnetic resonance imaging fellowship at the NIH. Dr. Chen has been at the NIH since 2006. He is a blend between a clinician, imager and an engineer with interests in developing new imaging technology for the heart and lungs.