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Bhosale AA, Zhao Y, Zhang X. Electric field and SAR reduction in high-impedance RF arrays by using high permittivity materials for 7T MR imaging. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305464. [PMID: 38959266 PMCID: PMC11221758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In the field of ultra-high field MR imaging, the challenges associated with higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths necessitate rigorous attention to multichannel array design. While the need for such arrays remains, and efforts to increase channel counts continue, a persistent impediment-inter-element coupling-constantly hinders development. This coupling degrades current and field distribution, introduces noise correlation between channels, and alters the frequency of array elements, affecting image quality and overall performance. The goal of optimizing ultra-high field MRI goes beyond resolving inter-element coupling and includes significant safety considerations related to the design changes required to achieve high-impedance coils. Although these coils provide excellent isolation, the higher impedance needs special design changes. However, such changes pose a significant safety risk in the form of strong electric fields across low-capacitance lumped components. This process may raise Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values in the imaging subject, increasing power deposition and, as a result, the risk of tissue heating-related injury. To balance the requirement of inter-element decoupling with the critical need for safety, we suggest a new solution. Our method uses high-dielectric materials to efficiently reduce electric fields and SAR values in the imaging sample. This intervention tries to maintain B1 efficiency and inter-element decoupling within the existing array design, which includes high-impedance coils. Our method aims to promote the full potential of ultra-high field MRI by alleviating this critical safety concern with minimal changes to the existing array setup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya A. Bhosale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Yunkun Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Xiaoliang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
- Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
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Lu M, Yan X. Investigating Local Receive Arrays in tcMRgFUS System and Their Influence by Passive Antennas: A Simulation Study. IEEE ACCESS : PRACTICAL INNOVATIONS, OPEN SOLUTIONS 2023; 11:143998-144005. [PMID: 38984038 PMCID: PMC11233118 DOI: 10.1109/access.2023.3343637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (tcMRgFUS) revolutionizes non-invasive therapy by combining MRI and high-intensity focused ultrasound for precise thermal treatment. MRI scans play an essential role during tcMRgFUS treatment in that they are used to localize the target and monitor temperature. Using the body coil for MRI introduces imaging challenges, notably extremely low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a distinct dark band in 3 Tesla brain images. This study explores the impact of diverse local receive coils on SNR and parallel imaging capabilities in tcMRgFUS. Simulation results underscore the significant SNR enhancement, especially with helmet-shaped coils, crucial for capturing signals from the head's top and sides. Additionally, the study delves into integrating passive antennas to address the dark band issue, revealing a combined improvement in SNR and transmit field recovery. The study demonstrates that even a coil array outside the water bath can enhance SNR. This work offers critical insights into optimizing the imaging quality, improving temperature mapping accuracy, and recovering the transmit field in tcMRgFUS technology, holding potential for refined treatment visualization, targeting precision, and real-time monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Lu
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xinqiang Yan
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Bhosale AA, Zhao Y, Zhang X. Electric Field and SAR Reduction in High Impedance RF Arrays by Using High Permittivity Materials for 7T MR Imaging. ARXIV 2023:arXiv:2312.04491v1. [PMID: 38106453 PMCID: PMC10723527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths present significant design issues at ultra-high fields, making multi-channel array setup a critical component for ultra-high field MR imaging. The requirement for multi-channel arrays, as well as ongoing efforts to increase the number of channels in an array, are always limited by the major issue known as inter-element coupling. This coupling affects the current and field distribution, noise correlation between channels, and frequency of array elements, lowering imaging quality and performance. To realize the full potential of UHF MRI, we must ensure that the coupling between array elements is kept to a minimum. High-impedance coils allow array systems to completely realize their potential by providing optimal isolation while requiring minimal design modifications. These minor design changes, which demand the use of low capacitance on the conventional loop to induce elevated impedance, result in a significant safety hazard that cannot be overlooked. High electric fields are formed across these low capacitance lumped elements, which may result in higher SAR values in the imaging subject, depositing more power and, ultimately, providing a greater risk of tissue heating-related injury to the human sample. We propose an innovative method of utilizing high-dielectric material to effectively reduce electric fields and SAR values in the imaging sample while preserving the B1 efficiency and inter-element decoupling between the array elements to address this important safety concern with minimal changes to the existing array design comprising high-impedance coils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya A Bhosale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Yunkun Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Xiaoliang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
- Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
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Yan X, Allen S, Lu M, Moore D, Meyer CH, Grissom WA. Dark band artifact in transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound: Mechanism and mitigation with passive crossed wire antennas. Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 103:169-178. [PMID: 37543175 PMCID: PMC10528914 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2023.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Current FDA-approved transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound (tcMRgFUS) transducers cause a curved dark band in 3 T brain images that runs through midbrain targets of ablative treatments for essential tremor and other applications, and signal is reduced by at least 25% elsewhere in the brain. This limits the set of scans that can be performed to guide and assess the effects of treatment. An electromagnetic simulation study was performed to elucidate the mechanisms causing the dark band. Based on the results, a pair of passive antennas in a "propeller-beanie" configuration were designed to manipulate the reflected waves to avoid signal cancellation within the brain. The antennas were optimized and validated with in-vivo experiments and hydrophone measurements. The simulation study revealed that the dark band is caused by RF waves reflected from the transducer's ground plane, which cancel with incoming waves from the scanner's body coil. The passive antennas shifted the dark band out of the brain and increased transmit efficiency in the center of brain 2.3 times while improving field homogeneity by 50%. They also increased receive sensitivity and SNR in anatomic and temperature imaging. They caused no detectable distortion in hydrophone-measured focal pressure profiles. The conductive ground planes and coupling media used in tcMRgFUS and other piezoelectric FUS transducers interact with a 3 T scanner's RF fields to reduce transmit efficiency and SNR. For tcMRgFUS scenario, "propeller beanie" passive reflecting antennas alleviated these effects. This could make a broader set of imaging sequences available to guide tcMRgFUS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqiang Yan
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Steven Allen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Ming Lu
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - David Moore
- Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Craig H Meyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - William A Grissom
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Payne K, Ying LL, Zhang X. Hairpin RF resonators for MR imaging transceiver arrays with high inter-channel isolation and B 1 efficiency at ultrahigh field 7 T. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2022; 345:107321. [PMID: 36335877 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2022.107321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Electromagnetic decoupling among a close-fitting or high-density transceiver RF array elements is required to maintain the integrity of the magnetic flux density from individual channel for enhanced performance in detection sensitivity and parallel imaging. High-impedance RF coils have demonstrated to be a prominent design method to circumvent these coupling issues. Yet, inherent characteristics of these coils have ramification on the B1 field efficiency and SNR. In this work, we propose a hairpin high impedance RF resonator design for highly decoupled multichannel transceiver arrays at ultrahigh magnetic fields. Due to the high impedance property of the hairpin resonators, the proposed transceiver array can provide high decoupling performance without using any dedicated decoupling circuit among the resonant elements. Because of elimination of lumped inductors in the resonator circuit, higher B1 field efficiency in imaging subjects can be expected. In order to validate the feasibility of the proposed hairpin RF coils, systematical studies on decoupling performance, field distribution, and SNR are performed, and the results are compared with those obtained from existing high-impedance RF coil, e.g., "self-decoupled RF coil". To further investigate its performance, an 8-channel head coil array using the proposed hairpin resonators loaded with a cylindrical phantom is designed, demonstrating a 19 % increase of the B1+ field intensity compared to the self-decoupled coils at 7 T. Furthermore, the characteristics of the hairpin RF coils are evaluated using a more realistic human head voxel model numerically. The proposed hairpin RF coil provides excellent decoupling performance and superior RF magnetic field efficiency compared to the "self-decoupled" high impedance coils. Bench test of a pair of fabricated hairpin coils prove to be in good accordance with numerical results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komlan Payne
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
| | - Leslie L Ying
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
| | - Xiaoliang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
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Lu M, Sengupta S, Gore JC, Grissom WA, Yan X. High-Density MRI RF Arrays Using Mixed Dipole Antennas and Microstrip Transmission Line Resonators. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2022; 69:3243-3252. [PMID: 35404807 PMCID: PMC9587496 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2022.3166279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High-density multi-coil arrays are desirable in MRI because they provide high signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), enable highly accelerated parallel imaging, and provide more uniform transmit fields at high fields. For high-density arrays such as a head array with 16 elements in a row, popular dipole antennas and microstrip transmission line (also referred to as "MTL") resonators both have severe coupling issues. METHODS In this work, we show that dipoles and MTLs have naturally low coupling and propose a novel array configuration in which they are interleaved. We first show the electromagnetic (EM) coupling between a single dipole and a single MTL across different separations in bench tests. Then we validate and analyze this through EM simulations. Finally, we construct a 16-channel mixed dipole and MTL array and evaluate its performance on the bench and through MRI experiments. RESULTS Without any decoupling treatments, the worst coupling between a dipole and an MTL was only -15.8 dB when their center-to-center distance was 4.7 cm (versus -5.4 dB for two dipole antennas and -6.0 dB for two MTL resonators). Even in a dense 16-channel mixed array, the inter-element isolation among all elements was better than -14 dB. CONCLUSION This study reveals, analyzes, and validates a novel finding that the popular dipole antennas and MTL resonators used in ultrahigh field MRI have naturally low coupling. SIGNIFICANCE These findings will simplify the construction of high-density arrays, enable new applications, and benefit imaging performance in ultrahigh field MRI.
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Sharma T, Zhang X. Study of B1 and SAR Field Distribution for loop coil with different bending angles at 3T. PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE ... SCIENTIFIC MEETING AND EXHIBITION. INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE. SCIENTIFIC MEETING AND EXHIBITION 2022; 30:3578. [PMID: 36071704 PMCID: PMC9445055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tripta Sharma
- Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Xiaoliang Zhang
- Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
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Li N, Zheng H, Xu G, Gui T, Yin Q, Chen Q, Lee J, Xin Y, Zhang S, He Q, Zhang X, Liu X, Zheng H, Wang D, Li Y. Simultaneous Head and Spine MR Imaging in Children Using a Dedicated Multichannel Receiver System at 3T. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 68:3659-3670. [PMID: 34014817 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2021.3082149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work was to enable simultaneous head and spine Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) in children at 3T by using a dedicated multichannel radiofrequency coil array system. METHODS A 24-channel head and spine pediatric coil system was developed and constructed. The coils performance was compared with a commercially available 24-channel adult head-neck coil and a spine coil (1-4 spine of 16-channel were selected). Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and parallel imaging capability were quantitatively evaluated by phantom studies and in vivo imaging experiments. With Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee approval, the designed coil was used to acquire head and spine images on 27 children in clinical settings. RESULTS The pediatric coil provided substantial SNR improvements with an increase of 32 % to 40 % in the brain region and up to a two-fold increase in the surface. SNR increased by at least 18 % in the spine region. The coil enabled higher resolution and a faster imaging speed, owing to significantly improved SNR. Extensive coverage of the coil enabled high-quality fast imaging from head-neck to the whole spine. Good image quality with an average score 4.63 out of 5 was achieved using the developed pediatric coil in clinical studies. CONCLUSION Simultaneous head and spine MRI with superior performance have been successfully acquired in children subjects at 3T using the dedicated 24-channel head and spine pediatric coil system. SIGNIFICANCE The 24-channel pediatric coil system potentially can enhance pediatric head and spine MRI in clinical research and diagnosis.
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Li Y, Lee J, Long X, Qiao Y, Ma T, He Q, Cao P, Zhang X, Zheng H. A Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation System With a Whole Brain Coil Array for Nonhuman Primates at 3 T. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING 2020; 39:4401-4412. [PMID: 32833632 DOI: 10.1109/tmi.2020.3019087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The phased-array radio frequency (RF) coil plays a vital role in magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) neuromodulation studies, where accurate brain functional stimulations and neural circuit observations are required. Although various designs of phased-array coils have been reported, few are suitable for ultrasound stimulations. In this study, an MRgFUS neuromodulation system comprised of a whole brain coverage non-human primate (NHP) RF coil and an MRI-compatible ultrasound device was developed. When compared to a single loop coil, the NHP coil provided up to a 50% increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the brain and acquired better anatomical image-quality. The NHP coil also demonstrated the ability to achieve higher spatial resolution and reduce distortion in echo-planer imaging (EPI). Ultrasound beam characteristics and transcranial magnetic resonance acoustic radiation force (MR-ARF) were measured for simulated positions, and calculated B0 maps were employed to establish MRI-compatibility. The differences between focused off and on ultrasound techniques were measured using SNR, g-factors, and temporal SNR (tSNR) analyses and all deviations were under 2.3%. The EPI images quality and stable tSNR demonstrated the suitability of the MRgFUS neuromodulation system to conduct functional MRI studies. Last, the time course of the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal of posterior cingulate cortex in a focused ultrasound neuromodulation study was detected and repeated with MR thermometry.
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Lu M, Gore JC, Yan X. Over-overlapped loop arrays: A numerical study. Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 72:135-142. [PMID: 32688048 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Arrays of coils are commonly used in MRI both for reception and in parallel transmission to alleviate radiofrequency field inhomogeneities at high fields. Most designs typically overlap loop elements by a critical area (approximately 10%) to minimize mutual inductive couplings. With this geometrical constraint, loop sizes have to be reduced to accommodate large numbers of coils for a given coverage. However, the contribution of coil noise to total noise increases as each coil size decreases, which reduces overall signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), especially in deeper regions of the sample volume. Here we propose arrays designs using elements that overlap much more (over-overlapped), and using numerical calculations we investigate their performance compared to two kinds of conventionally overlapped arrays (one with the same coil size but smaller coil number, and one with the same coil number but smaller coil size). Our simulation results show that the over-overlapped array can considerably increase the central SNR when coil noise dominates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Lu
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; College of Nuclear Equipment and Nuclear Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - John C Gore
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Xinqiang Yan
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Li Y, Lee J, Zhang L, Chen Q, Tie C, Luo C, Zhang X, Liang D, Liu X, Zheng H. Design and testing of a 24-channel head coil for MR imaging at 3 T. Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 58:162-173. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2019.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Zhang X. Sensitivity enhancement of traveling wave MRI using free local resonators: an experimental demonstration. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2017; 7:170-176. [PMID: 28516042 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2017.02.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traveling wave MR uses the far fields in signal excitation and reception, therefore its acquisition efficiency is low in contrast to the conventional near field magnetic resonance (MR). Here we show a simple and efficient method based on the local resonator to improving sensitivity of traveling wave MR technique. The proposed method utilizes a standalone or free local resonator to amplify the radio frequency magnetic fields in the interested target. The resonators have no wire connections to the MR system and thus can be conveniently placed to any place around imaging simples. METHODS A rectangular loop L/C resonator to be used as the free local resonator was tuned to the proton Larmor frequency at 7T. Traveling wave MR experiments with and without the wireless free local resonator were performed on a living rat using a 7T whole body MR scanner. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or sensitivity of the images acquired was compared and evaluated. RESULTS In vivo 7T imaging results show that traveling wave MR with a wireless free local resonator placed near the head of a living rat achieves at least 10-fold SNR gain over the images acquired on the same rat using conventional traveling wave MR method, i.e. imaging with no free local resonators. CONCLUSIONS The proposed free local resonator technique is able to enhance the MR sensitivity and acquisition efficiency of traveling wave MR at ultrahigh fields in vivo. This method can be a simple solution to alleviating low sensitivity problem of traveling wave MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,UC Berkeley/UCSF Joint Graduate Group in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), San Francisco, CA, USA
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Yan X, Gore JC, Grissom WA. New resonator geometries for ICE decoupling of loop arrays. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2017; 277:59-67. [PMID: 28236786 PMCID: PMC5389865 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2017.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
RF arrays with a large number of independent coil elements are advantageous for parallel transmission (pTx) and reception at high fields. One of the main challenges in designing RF arrays is to minimize the electromagnetic (EM) coupling between the coil elements. The induced current elimination (ICE) method, which uses additional resonator elements to cancel coils' mutual EM coupling, has proven to be a simple and efficient solution for decoupling microstrip, L/C loop, monopole and dipole arrays. However, in previous embodiments of conventional ICE decoupling, the decoupling elements acted as "magnetic-walls" with low transmit fields and consequently low MR signal near them. To solve this problem, new resonator geometries including overlapped and perpendicular decoupling loops are proposed. The new geometries were analyzed theoretically and validated in EM simulations, bench tests and MR experiments. The isolation between two closely-placed loops could be improved from about -5dB to <-45dB by using the new geometries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqiang Yan
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - John C Gore
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - William A Grissom
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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