Flexible and modular MPI simulation framework and its use in modelling a μMPI.

The availability of thorough system simulations for detailed and accurate performance prediction and optimization of existing and future designs for a new modality such as magnetic particle imaging (MPI) are very important. Our framework aims to simulate a complete MPI system by providing a description of all (drive and receive) coils, permanent magnet configurations, magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) distributions, and characteristics of the signal processing chain. The simulation is performed on a user defined spatial and temporal discrete grid. The magnetization of the MNP is modelled by either the Langevin theory or as ideal particles with infinite steepness and ideal saturation. The magnetic fields are approximated in first order by calculating the Biot-Savart integral. Additionally the coupling constants between the excitation coils (e.g. drive field coils) and the receive coils can be determined. All coils can be described by an XML description language based on primitive geometric shapes. First simulations of a modelled μMPI system are shown. In this regard μMPI refers to a small one dimensional system for samples of a size of a few tens of a cubic millimeter and a spatial resolution of about 200 μm.