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Improvement of magnetic resonance imaging using a wireless radiofrequency resonator array.

ABSTRACT: In recent years, new human magnetic resonance imaging systems operating at static magnetic fields strengths of 7 Tesla or higher have become available, providing better signal sensitivity compared with lower field strengths. However, imaging human-sized objects at such high field strength and associated precession frequencies is limited due to the technical challenges associated with the wavelength effect, which substantially disturb the transmit field uniformity over the human body when conventional coils are used. Here we report a novel passive inductively-coupled radiofrequency resonator array design with a simple structure that works in conjunction with conventional coils and requires only to be tuned to the scanner's operating frequency. We show that inductive-coupling between the resonator array and the coil improves the transmit efficiency and signal sensitivity in the targeted region. The simple structure, flexibility, and cost-efficiency make the proposed array design an attractive approach for altering the transmit field distribution specially at high field systems, where the wavelength is comparable with the tissue size.

SUBMITTER: Alipour A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8630230 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Improvement of magnetic resonance imaging using a wireless radiofrequency resonator array.

Alipour Akbar A Seifert Alan C AC Delman Bradley N BN Robson Philip M PM Shrivastava Raj R Hof Patrick R PR Adriany Gregor G Fayad Zahi A ZA Balchandani Priti P

Scientific reports 20211129 1

In recent years, new human magnetic resonance imaging systems operating at static magnetic fields strengths of 7 Tesla or higher have become available, providing better signal sensitivity compared with lower field strengths. However, imaging human-sized objects at such high field strength and associated precession frequencies is limited due to the technical challenges associated with the wavelength effect, which substantially disturb the transmit field uniformity over the human body when convent ...[more]

PMID: 34845314

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Project description:BackgroundLow-field open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, typically operating at magnetic field strengths below 1 Tesla, has greatly expanded the accessibility of MRI technology to meet a wide range of patient needs. However, the inherent challenges of low-field MRI, such as limited signal-to-noise ratios and limited availability of dedicated radiofrequency (RF) coils, have prompted the need for innovative coil designs that can improve imaging quality and diagnostic capabilities. In this work, we introduce a multimodal axial array resonator and its implementation in a volume coil, or referred to as a coupled stack-up volume coil, to address these challenges in low-field open MRI.MethodsA prototype coupled stack-up volume coil was designed with optimized coil spacing to improve B1 field homogeneity. Finite difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations were conducted to evaluate the coil's performance, including B1 field efficiency and specific absorption rate (SAR). Bench tests were performed to validate the simulated results using oil phantoms. Comparisons were made with a solenoid coil, a birdcage coil, and an equal gap coupled coil throughout the study.ResultsNumeral electromagnetic studies demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed coupled stack-up volume coil, achieving 47.7% higher transmit/receive efficiency and 68% more uniform magnetic field distribution compared to conventional birdcage coils. The results of the bench tests show that the achieved B1 field efficiency of the coupled stack-up volume coil is 11.48 μT/W , representing a 57.3% improvement in comparison to that of a conventional birdcage coil.ConclusionsA multimodal axial array resonator technique or coupled stack-up technique is successfully developed for the design of low field MR RF volume coils. The proposed coupled stack-up volume coil outperforms the conventional volume coils in terms of B1 efficiency, imaging coverage, and low-frequency operation capability. This design provides a robust and simple solution to the low-field MR RF coil design.

Dataset Information

Improvement of magnetic resonance imaging using a wireless radiofrequency resonator array.

Publications

Improvement of magnetic resonance imaging using a wireless radiofrequency resonator array.

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