Design and Simulation of Coils for High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy

The growing availability of high-field magnetic resonance (MR) scanners has reignited interest in the in vivo investigation of metabolics in the body. In particular, multinuclear MR spectroscopy (MRS) data reveal physiological details inaccessible to typical proton (1H) scans. Carbon-13 (13C) MRS studies draw considerable appeal owing to the enhanced chemical shift range of metabolites that may be interrogated to elucidate disease metabolism and progression. To achieve the theoretical signal-to-noise (SNR) gains at high B0 fields, however, J-coupling from 1H-13C chemical bonds must be mitigated by transmitting radiofrequency (RF) proton-decoupling pulses. This irradiated RF power is substantial and intensifies with increased decoupling bandwidth as well as B0 field strength. The preferred 13C MRS experiment, applying broadband proton decoupling, thus presents considerable challenges at 7 T. Localized tissue heating is a paramount concern for all high-field studies, with strict Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits in place to ensure patient safety. Transmit coils must operate within these power guidelines without sacrificing image and spectral quality. Consequently, RF coils transmitting proton-decoupling pulses must be expressly designed for power efficiency as well as B1 field homogeneity. This dissertation presents innovations in high-field RF coil development that collectively improved the homogeneity, efficiency, and safety of high field 13C MRS. A review of electromagnetic (EM) theory guided a full-wave modeling study of coplanar shielding geometries to delineate design parameters for coil transmit efficiency. Next, a novel RF coil technique for achieving B1 homogeneity, dubbed forced current excitation (FCE), was examined and a coplanar-shielded FCE coil was implemented for proton decoupling of the breast at 7 T. To perform a series of simulation studies gauging SAR in the prone breast, software was developed to fuse a suite of anatomically-derived heterogeneous breast phantoms, spanning the standard four tissue density classifications, with existing whole-body voxel models. The effects of tissue density on SAR were presented and guidance for simulating the worst-case scenario was outlined. Finally, for improving capabilities of multinuclear coils during proton coil transmit, a high-power trap circuit was designed and tested, ultimately enabling isolation of 13C coil elements during broadband proton decoupling pulses. Together, this work advanced the hardware capabilities of high-field multinuclear spectroscopy with immediate applicability for performing broadband proton-decoupled 13C MRS in the breast at 7 T

Streamlining the Design and Use of Array Coils for In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Small Animals

Small-animal models such as rodents and non-human primates play an important pre-clinical role in the study of human disease, with particular application to cancer, cardiovascular, and neuroscience models. To study these animal models, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is advantageous as a non-invasive technique due to its versatile contrast mechanisms, large and flexible field of view, and straightforward comparison/translation to human applications. However, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) limits the practicality of achieving the high-resolution necessary to image the smaller features of animals in an amount of time suitable for in vivo animal MRI. In human MRI, it is standard to achieve an increase in SNR through the use of array coils; however, the design, construction, and use of array coils for animal imaging remains challenging due to copper-loss related issues from small array elements and design complexities of incorporating multiple elements and associated array hardware in a limited space. In this work, a streamlined strategy for animal coil array design, construction, and use is presented and the use for multiple animal models is demonstrated. New matching network circuits, materials, assembly techniques, body-restraining systems and integrated mechanical designs are demonstrated for streamlining high-resolution MRI of both anesthetized and awake animals. The increased SNR achieved with the arrays is shown to enable high-resolution in vivo imaging of mice and common marmosets with a reduced time for experimental setup

A study of array snr and coupling as a function of the input impedance of preamplifier

Much of the current research in magnetic resonance engineering focuses on reducing the acquisition time for obtaining an image while simultaneously maximizing the Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) of the image. It is known that improvement in imaging time or resolution is obtained at the cost of SNR. Therefore wherever possible, RF coil engineers design the coil in such a manner so as to maximize SNR for that coil design. In one such design consideration, most coil designers prefer placing low impedance preamplifiers near the coil. The further the pre-amplifiers are from the coil, the greater will be the signal loss due to transmission and higher will be its input impedance as perceived at the coil which would degrade inter-coil isolation. Owing to the current trend of using increasing number of receiver channels (32, 64 or 128) for parallel imaging, placing the preamplifiers near the coil would greatly complicate the coil construction. The primary objective of this research was to find the relation between SNR and referred preamp impedance and whether preamps need to be placed on the coil, or if they can be placed outside the magnet at the end of a transmission line which would simplify the construction of large count array. In addition, SNR was studied as a function of coil design parameters - coil loading, array coil separation, and system frequency. Both theoretical and experimental methods were used to undertake this investigation. A popular electromagnetic modeling technique, finite difference time domain (FDTD), was used to model SNR in arrays of two 3 inch loop coils at 3T and 1.5T. Results were also verified through bench measurement at 3T and 1.5T and by evaluating SNR. To verify the robustness of our results and to assess the possibility of using low cost standard 50 ohm preamps, we carried out additional bench measurements at 4.7T. Results demonstrated that preamplifier placement is critical at low field strength. At higher field strength, SNR degradation due to preamplifier placement was less owing to heavier coil loading

Streamlining the Design and Use of Array Coils for In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Small Animals

Small-animal models such as rodents and non-human primates play an important pre-clinical role in the study of human disease, with particular application to cancer, cardiovascular, and neuroscience models. To study these animal models, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is advantageous as a non-invasive technique due to its versatile contrast mechanisms, large and flexible field of view, and straightforward comparison/translation to human applications. However, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) limits the practicality of achieving the high-resolution necessary to image the smaller features of animals in an amount of time suitable for in vivo animal MRI. In human MRI, it is standard to achieve an increase in SNR through the use of array coils; however, the design, construction, and use of array coils for animal imaging remains challenging due to copper-loss related issues from small array elements and design complexities of incorporating multiple elements and associated array hardware in a limited space. In this work, a streamlined strategy for animal coil array design, construction, and use is presented and the use for multiple animal models is demonstrated. New matching network circuits, materials, assembly techniques, body-restraining systems and integrated mechanical designs are demonstrated for streamlining high-resolution MRI of both anesthetized and awake animals. The increased SNR achieved with the arrays is shown to enable high-resolution in vivo imaging of mice and common marmosets with a reduced time for experimental setup

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationIn Chapter 1, an introduction to basic principles or MRI is given, including the physical principles, basic pulse sequences, and basic hardware. Following the introduction, five different published and yet unpublished papers for improving the utility of MRI are shown. Chapter 2 discusses a small rodent imaging system that was developed for a clinical 3 T MRI scanner. The system integrated specialized radiofrequency (RF) coils with an insertable gradient, enabling 100 'm isotropic resolution imaging of the guinea pig cochlea in vivo, doubling the body gradient strength, slew rate, and contrast-to-noise ratio, and resulting in twice the signal-to-noise (SNR) when compared to the smallest conforming birdcage. Chapter 3 discusses a system using BOLD MRI to measure T2* and invasive fiberoptic probes to measure renal oxygenation (pO2). The significance of this experiment is that it demonstrated previously unknown physiological effects on pO2, such as breath-holds that had an immediate (<1 sec) pO2 decrease (~6 mmHg), and bladder pressure that had pO2 increases (~6 mmHg). Chapter 4 determined the correlation between indicators of renal health and renal fat content. The R2 correlation between renal fat content and eGFR, serum cystatin C, urine protein, and BMI was less than 0.03, with a sample size of ~100 subjects, suggesting that renal fat content will not be a useful indicator of renal health. Chapter 5 is a hardware and pulse sequence technique for acquiring multinuclear 1H and 23Na data within the same pulse sequence. Our system demonstrated a very simple, inexpensive solution to SMI and acquired both nuclei on two 23Na channels using external modifications, and is the first demonstration of radially acquired SMI. Chapter 6 discusses a composite sodium and proton breast array that demonstrated a 2-5x improvement in sodium SNR and similar proton SNR when compared to a large coil with a linear sodium and linear proton channel. This coil is unique in that sodium receive loops are typically built with at least twice the diameter so that they do not have similar SNR increases. The final chapter summarizes the previous chapters

Development of a New Multi-Channel MRI Coil Optimized for Brain Studies in Human Neonates

RÉSUMÉ Plusieurs événements et conditions indésirables causent des lésions cérébrales chez les nouveau-nés qui peuvent conduire plus tard à des troubles neurodéveloppementaux. Des études d'imagerie rapides, non invasive et de haute qualité sont nécessaires pour initier un traitement neuroprotecteur précoce et minimiser les effets néfastes sur ces patients. L'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) est une méthode de choix pour détecter ces lésions et évaluer le développement du cerveau in vivo. Les systèmes d'IRM comprennent des antennes spécifiques qui permettent d’interagir avec l'objet étudié au moyen de signaux radiofréquences (RF). Ces antennes jouent un rôle important sur la qualité d'image résultante et donc sur notre capacité à détecter des pathologies subtiles. Plus les antennes sont proches du tissu à imager, meilleure est la qualité d’image. Le but de ce travail était de développer une nouvelle antenne de réception IRM qui peut s'adapter physiquement à la taille de la tête des nouveau-nés dans la gamme de prématurés de 24 semaines à des bébés de 1.5 mois. L'antenne est constituée de treize éléments répartis de manière sphérique, fixés individuellement à un soufflet en plastique compressible, qui peuvent se déplacer de manière indépendante dans des directions radiales et axiales. Un système pneumatique les rétracte au moyen d'un vide, en maximisant l'espace à l'intérieur de l'antenne pour faciliter le placement du sujet. Le vide est ensuite libéré pour permettre l'expansion du soufflet et le mouvement des éléments vers le centre de l'antenne jusqu'à ce qu'ils s'adaptent physiquement à la forme de la tête. La simulation électromagnétique a aidé le processus de conception, révélant la faisabilité de l'idée proposée. Un découplage efficace à l’aide de préamplificateurs a garanti les niveaux requis de découplage global entre les canaux de l’antenne. La validation a été effectuée sur le banc d’essai et sur une IRM 3T en utilisant différents fantômes en forme de tête. Les résultats démontrent une augmentation moyenne de rapport signal-à-bruit (SNR) de jusqu'à 68% dans la région de la tête et 122% dans la région du cortex, par rapport à une antenne commerciale de tête à 32 canaux. La distribution du SNR est stable pour toutes les tailles de fantômes utilisés. En conclusion, une antenne de réception a été conçue, modélisée puis construite. Cette antenne est adaptable avec contrôle pneumatique, ce qui a permis un SNR plus élevée par rapport à une antenne de tête commerciale à 32 canaux utilisée normalement dans la pratique clinique.----------ABSTRACT Several adverse events and conditions cause brain injury in neonates that can later lead to neurodevelopmental disabilities. Fast, non-invasive and high-quality image studies are required to initiate early neuroprotective treatment and minimize adverse effects on these patients. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a vital method to detect these injuries and assess brain development in vivo. The MRI systems include specific types of antennas, commonly known as radiofrequency (RF) coils, to interact with the object under study by means of RF signals. These coils play a strong role on the resulting image quality and hence on our ability to detect subtle pathologies. The closer the coils are to the scanned tissue, the better the image quality. The purpose of this work was to develop a new MRI RF receiver array coil that can physically adapt to infant head sizes from 24-week premature to 1.5-month-old. The coil is made of thirteen spherically distributed elements, individually attached to compressible plastic bellows, that can independently move in radial and axial directions. A pneumatic system retracts them by means of vacuum, maximizing the space inside the coil to facilitate the placement of the subject. The vacuum is afterward liberated to allow the expansion of the bellows and the movement of the elements toward the coil center until they physically adapt to the head shape. Electromagnetic simulation assisted the design process, revealing the feasibility of the proposed idea. A strong preamplifier decoupling guaranteed the required levels of overall decoupling among the coil elements. The validation was performed on the bench and on a 3T scanner using different head-shaped phantoms. The results show up to up to 68% in the head region and 122% in the cortex region, compared to a 32-channel commercial head coil. A stable SNR distribution through the complete size range was also obtained for all the used phantoms. In conclusion, an MRI receiver coil was designed, modeled, and built. The coil is adaptable with pneumatic control, which allowed a higher SNR compared to a commercial 32-channel head coil used normally in clinical practice. The risks associated with mechanical pressure on the head of newborns are non-existent (use of negative versus positive pressure) and the head motion is restricted. In addition, the method has potential applications to other age groups and body parts

RF Coil Design, Imaging Methods and Measurement of Ventilation with 19F C3F8 MRI

This thesis attempts to address the challenge of low signal in fluorinated gas ventilation imaging and optimize imaging methods considering the particular MR parameters of C3F8 by the following approaches: (i) Exploration of coil designs capable of imaging both proton (1H – 63.8 MHz at 1.5T) and fluorine (19F – 60.1 MHz at 1.5T) nuclei involved: 1. The novel use of microelectromechanical systems to switch a single transceive vest coil between the two nuclei was compared to hard-wired or PIN diode switching. 2. The design of an 8 element transceive array with an additional 6 receive only coils for 19F imaging. MEMs was utilized for broadband transmit-receive switching. 3. The amalgamation of a ladder resonator coil with a 6-element transceive array to reduce SAR and improve transmit homogeneity when compared to standard vest coil designs. (ii) Development of imaging methods involved: 1. The optimization and comparison of steady-state free precession and spoiled gradient 19F imaging with C3F8 at 1.5T and 3T. Simulation of the optimal SNR was verified through comprehensive phantom and in-vivo imaging experiments. 2. The investigation of compressed sensing via incoherent sparse k-space sampling to maximize the resolution in 19F ventilation imaging under the constraint of low SNR. Retrospective simulation with hyperpolarized gas images were corroborated by prospective 19F imaging of a 3D printed lung phantom and in-vivo measurements of the lungs. (iii) In-vivo ventilation metrics obtained by 19F ventilation imaging were explored by: 1. The in-vivo mapping of T1 at 1.5T and 3T and mapping of FV and T2* at 3 T. The apparent diffusion coefficient (1.5T) and the evaluation of ventilated volume (1.5T and 3T) was also compared to imaging performed with 129Xe (1.5T). 2. The optimization of imaging for the evaluation of percent ventilated volume with 19F at 3T with a commercial birdcage coil

Radio Frequency Coils for Ultra-high Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a powerful tool not only to analyze the anatomical structures of the human body non invasively but also to investigate brain activity with functional MRI. The promise of increase in signal to noise ratio and spectral resolution proportional to the main magnetic field strength motivated a few research laboratories to pursue even higher field strengths. The 9.4T whole body human scanner and the 16.4T animal scanner installed at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tuebingen were, for many years, the worlds strongest magnets in their respective categories. In addition to the strong magnets, radio frequency (RF) coils are also equally important in realising the benefits offered by the high field MRI scanners. The aim of this thesis work is to develop optimized RF coils and RF hardware for ultra-high high field MRI