23 March 2026

A new advancement in imaging technology could be used to upgrade existing MRI machines, unlocking more avenues for treatment and provide faster, higher quality scans.

Researchers collaborating from Germany's Max Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine and Rostock University Medical Centre, are clinically evaluating an advanced MRI antenna - known as metamaterial-integrated radio frequency antennas (MTMA) - that uses engineered meta materials to provide faster, more detailed imaging.

The comparative study published by Wiley Advanced reported an increase in signal strength from MTMA's compared to conventional loop coils, allowing for sharper images with higher spatial resolution and shows potential to unlock previously inaccessible avenues for treatment and complex imaging of the eye.

Senior author of the paper, Professor Thoralf Neindorf from the Max Delbruck Centre says the research shows a potential pathway to future imaging applications.

"By using concepts from metamaterials, we were able to guide radiofrequency6 fields more efficiently and demonstrate how advanced physics can directly improve medical imaging." Prof. Neindorf said.

"This work shows a pathway toward faster, clearer MRI scans that could benefit patients in many clinical areas."

Beyond clinical evaluation at Rostock University Medical Centre, researchers are also considering larger studies at other hospitals, adapting the design to use on additional organs such as the heart and kidneys.

Researcher Nandita Saha at the Experimental Ultrahigh Filed Magnetic Resonance lab, adds that the new technology could provide safer imaging and expanded applications for upcoming cancer treatments.

"This technology can also be tuned to protect sensitive areas of the body during MRI, for example, to reduce unwanted heating around medical implants."

"It could also be used to focus RF energy more effectively for MRI guided therapies for various cancer treatments, such as gentle heating of tumours or thermal ablation of tissue."

If successful, the advanced antenna could be installed into existing MRI machines as a direct upgrade, without the need to immediately replace existing machines.