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Kemper P, Thöming J, Küstermann E. Tailored birdcage resonator for magnetic resonance imaging at 7 T using 3D printing. HARDWAREX 2022; 12:e00326. [PMID: 35721325 PMCID: PMC9204735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2022.e00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study outlines the design, construction and characterization of a tailored low-cost linear birdcage (BC) resonator for magnetic resonance imaging at 7T. Typically, different BC designs found in literature are well described in theory but lack crucial information for practical realization. This is challenging, as theoretical and practical aspects often differ greatly from each other, especially in the field of high frequency technology. We propose a simple and open-source 3D printable design which results in a working BC if the instructions in this publication are followed. The aim is to open up the possibility of building a functioning BC with simple means and a budget below 750 €, even for users without a great deal of expertise in MRI coil building. We demonstrate that the BC can achieve a good B 1 field homogeneity using the double angle method. The proposed design is qualitatively compared to a commercially available resonator. Both perform equally well in terms of SNR and image quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kemper
- Chemical Process Engineering (CVT), Faculty of Production Engineering (FB 4), University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Jorg Thöming
- Chemical Process Engineering (CVT), Faculty of Production Engineering (FB 4), University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Ekkehard Küstermann
- In vivo MR Group, Faculty of Chemistry (FB 2), University of Bremen, Leobener Straße NW2, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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Zaric O, Juras V, Szomolanyi P, Schreiner M, Raudner M, Giraudo C, Trattnig S. Frontiers of Sodium MRI Revisited: From Cartilage to Brain Imaging. J Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 54:58-75. [PMID: 32851736 PMCID: PMC8246730 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium magnetic resonance imaging (23 Na-MRI) is a highly promising imaging modality that offers the possibility to noninvasively quantify sodium content in the tissue, one of the most relevant parameters for biochemical investigations. Despite its great potential, due to the intrinsically low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of sodium imaging generated by low in vivo sodium concentrations, low gyromagnetic ratio, and substantially shorter relaxation times than for proton (1 H) imaging, 23 Na-MRI is extremely challenging. In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature that has been published in the last 10-15 years and which has demonstrated different technical designs for a range of 23 Na-MRI methods applicable for disease diagnoses and treatment efficacy evaluations. Currently, a wider use of 3.0T and 7.0T systems provide imaging with the expected increase in SNR and, consequently, an increased image resolution and a reduced scanning time. A great interest in translational research has enlarged the field of sodium MRI applications to almost all parts of the body: articular cartilage tendons, spine, heart, breast, muscle, kidney, and brain, etc., and several pathological conditions, such as tumors, neurological and degenerative diseases, and others. The quantitative parameter, tissue sodium concentration, which reflects changes in intracellular sodium concentration, extracellular sodium concentration, and intra-/extracellular volume fractions is becoming acknowledged as a reliable biomarker. Although the great potential of this technique is evident, there must be steady technical development for 23 Na-MRI to become a standard imaging tool. The future role of sodium imaging is not to be considered as an alternative to 1 H MRI, but to provide early, diagnostically valuable information about altered metabolism or tissue function associated with disease genesis and progression. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olgica Zaric
- Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in the Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimir Juras
- High-Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Imaging Methods, Institute of Measurement Science, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pavol Szomolanyi
- High-Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Schreiner
- Deartment of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Raudner
- High-Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chiara Giraudo
- Radiology Institute, Department of Medicine, DIMED Padova University Via Giustiniani 2, Padova, Italy
| | - Siegfried Trattnig
- Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in the Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria.,High-Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria
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