Design and Demonstration of Four-Channel Received Coil Arrays for Vertical-Field MRI

The layout of radio-frequency received coils is related to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this paper, different structures of four-channel received coil arrays for vertical-field MRI are constructed and optimized by establishing the relationship between coil geometry and SNR to achieve a high SNR and a uniform SNR distribution in the region of interest (ROI). Then, the SNR distributions of three optimized configurations, including rectangular loops, non-definite shape surface coils, and solenoid loops as the main unit, are simulated and compared. The four-channel coil of solenoid loops as the main unit has been found to have the best performance with the highest mean SNR in the ROI when imaging without acceleration. In addition, g-factor and 2D SENSE SNR in yoz-plane are simply analyzed, which show a sharp decrease in SNR for all the coils. Finally, all the coils are manufactured and operated at a 0.5 T permanent magnet MRI system with phantom and joint imaging experiments. Using pixel-by-pixel manner to evaluate SNR map, the experimental results are consistent with the simulation results, while parallel imaging experiment results show that the major consideration in low field MRI is the improvement of SNR value and uniformity rather than that of the imaging speed. As different constructions of four-channel received coils are investigated, we have found the most effective configuration with high and uniform SNR for vertical-field MRI.     

Current CONtrolled Transmit And Receive Coil Elements (C2ONTAR) for Parallel Acquisition and Parallel Excitation Techniques at High-Field MRI

A novel intrinsically decoupled transmit and receive radio-frequency coil element is presented for applications in parallel imaging and parallel excitation techniques in high-field magnetic resonance imaging. Decoupling is achieved by a twofold strategy: during transmission elements are driven by current sources, while during signal reception resonant elements are switched to a high input impedance preamplifier. To avoid B(0) distortions by magnetic impurities or DC currents a resonant transmission line is used to relocate electronic components from the vicinity of the imaged object. The performance of a four-element array for 3 T magnetic resonance tomograph is analyzed by means of simulation, measurements of electromagnetic fields and bench experiments. The feasibility of parallel acquisition and parallel excitation is demonstrated and compared to that of a conventional power source-driven array of equivalent geometry. Due to their intrinsic decoupling the current-controlled elements are ideal basic building blocks for multi-element transmit and receive arrays of flexible geometry.     

Computational Analysis of a Radiofrequency Knee Coil for Low-Field MRI Using FDTD

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Low-field (<0.5T) imaging is a cost-effective alternative to more expensive high-field strength imaging due to the inexpensive setting, greater patient comfort and better safety profile. On the other hand, if compared with high-field body scanners, the low-field scanners produce poor-quality images with lower signal-to-noise ratio. Especially in low-field MR, receiver coil performance plays a significant role in image quality. Coil performance is generally evaluated using classical electromagnetic theory, but when the coil is loaded with a sample, an analytical solution is extremely difficult to derive, so that a trial-and-error approach is often followed. Numerical methods have been proposed in literature as good alternatives to predict MRI coil performance. In this study the performance of a knee coil for low-field (0.5 T) MR scanners is analyzed using workbench tests and numerical simulation with a software program based on the finite difference time domain method. Parameter performances measured using the classical workbench test are compared with those obtained using numerical simulations. Finally, the knee coil performance is validated with images acquired in a commercial low-field MR system.     

颗粒圆孔射流碰撞并行直接数值模拟算法研究

本文对空间模式发展的颗粒圆孔射流碰撞进行了并行直接数值模拟算法研究。气相采用可压缩的N—S方程直接求解。颗粒相采用Lagrangian方法跟踪实际的颗粒运动。利用并行求解算法,实现了颗粒穿越边界面的模拟以及高效颗粒碰撞筛法。考虑了颗粒和流体的双相耦合以及颗粒之间的碰撞。在本文的计算条件下,颗粒的直径远小于网格的间距,平均的Kolmogorov尺度和网格的间距在一个量级。气相和颗粒相的应力与实验的对比研究表明,本文的颗粒并行程序是可信的。     

A Method for Accurate Calculation ofB1Fields in Three Dimensions. Effects of Shield Geometry on Field Strength and Homogeneity in the Birdcage Coil

A method for calculatingB₁field strength and homogeneity as functions of radiofrequency shield geometry is presented. The method requires use of three-dimensional finite-element analysis, birdcage-coil theory, and antenna-array theory. Calculations were performed for a 12-element birdcage coil (19 cm diameter, 21 cm length) at 125 MHz. CalculatedB₁field strengths and homogeneities for the coil in 25 different shields and in no shield are given. For configurations where the shield is longer than the coil, bothB₁field strength and homogeneity decrease as shield diameter decreases or as shield length increases. In configurations where the shield is shorter than the coil and has a diameter of 25.6 cm,B₁homogeneity is greater than in an unshielded coil.B₁field strength was measured experimentally at 125 MHz in a birdcage coil of the same geometry as the model within shields of four different diameters. Calculated results very closely matched experimental measurement.     

FDTD Analysis of a Radiofrequency Knee Coil for Low-Field MRI: Sample-Induced Resistance and Decoupling Evaluation

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using high static field (>3T) generates high-quality images, thanks to high homogeneity in transmission as well as high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in reception. On the other hand, biological effects are proportional to the magnetic field strength and moreover the diagnostic accuracy is not always linked to high-quality imaging. For these reasons, the interest in low-field imaging becomes greater, also because of cheaper setting, greater patients comfort and more safety profile. In simple cases, as for surface coil, the coil performance is evaluated using classical electromagnetic theory, but for more complex geometry and in presence of a sample, is more difficult to evaluate the solution and often is necessary to follow a trial-and-error approach. Numerical methods represent a solution to this problem. In this work, we performed numerical simulation on a two-channel knee coil for low-field (0.5 T) MRI scanner. We are interested in seeing the effect of a sample placed inside the coil on the sample-induced resistance and decoupling between channels. In particular, we observe how the position of the sample inside the channel influences the resistance value and for performing this we compared an innovative method based on the exponential fitting on voltage oscillation damping with a validated method (estimation using quality factor). Finally, for the complete coil, the scatter parameters were calculated in loaded and unloaded conditions.     

Space Division Multiple Access in MIMO Systems with Parallel Data Transmission

We study multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) cellular communication systems with antenna arrays at both link ends and parallel channels for data transmission. These channels (the so-called eigenchannels) are formed with the help of adaptive transmitting and receiving beamformer processors matched with a random fading environment. To increase the capacity of MIMO systems, we propose a space-division multiple-access (SDMA) method, which does not require estimation of signal-arrival directions and is based on orthogonalization of the parallel channels of all users. We find the signal-to-noise ratios at the eigenchannel outputs and the total capacity of a MIMO system in the case of simultaneous servicing of an arbitrary number of users. We present numerical results for the case of Rayleigh fading of signals, which confirm the high effectiveness of the proposed SDMA method.     

高温超导MRI磁体试验样机的设计

对MRI用高温超导磁体试验样机的设计进行了介绍,包括项目的市场需求、磁体的基本参数和系统热负荷的预设计结果等。     

便携式光纤电流互感器传感头设计

针对电解铝工业中大电流测量现场环境复杂的难题,在传统光纤电流互感器的基础上提出一种便携式光纤电流互感器.对设计安装过程中由于柔性传感头光路不闭合和导体偏心引起的法拉第相移误差进行分析和有限元仿真计算,结果表明:法拉第相移相对误差随传感头不闭合度角度线性增加,随导体到非闭合点的距离增大而减小,且增加传感头匝数能减小法拉第相移误差.由于便携式光纤电流互感器准确度随导体到非闭合点的距离增大而提高,设计了一种使传感头非闭合点向一端延伸且易拆装的结构,实验测试得到该便携式光纤电流互感器的全温准确度为0.86%,满足电解铝厂准确度1%的使用要求.     

Simple but Reliable Solutions for Spiral MRI Gradient Design

The efficiency of gradient design in MRI is limited by the simple fact that the gradient coil current and slew rate cannot exceed hardware threshold values. In spiral MRI, which requires gradients to be very rapidly switched between positive and negative values, minimization of the acquisition time is achieved by maintaining the current and slew rate as high as possible during the entire measurement. Since the current and slew rate compete against each other, an efficient gradient design consists of two parts in which current and slew rate are pushed alternatively to their limits. Values for these types of gradients can be obtained by solving numerically the equation of motion for the spiral trajectory. This paper shows that simple but reasonable mathematical approximations deliver reliable analytical solutions. Images obtained using these analytical solutions do not show evident distortions when compared with images obtained with numerical solutions.     

Optimization of an 8-Channel Loop-Array Coil for a 7 T MRI System with the Guidance of a Co-Simulation Approach

Minimizing coupling between coil elements is technically challenging in designing large-sized, volume-type phased-array coils for human head imaging at ultrahigh fields, e.g., 7 T. As a widely used decoupling method, the capacitive decoupling method has shown excellent performance for loop array. However, building a multi-channel loop array with capacitive decoupling method is laborious that tuning frequency and matching of one coil element will affect adjacent elements and even next adjacent elements. In this study, we made an 8-channel loop-array transmit/receive radio-frequency coil on a 7 T magnetic resonance imaging system with the guidance of frequency domain three-dimensional electromagnetic and radio-frequency circuit co-simulation. The position of decoupling capacitors was investigated and values of all capacitors were predicted from co-simulation. The co-simulation approach cost about 2 days and the error of the predicted and practical capacitance was <5 %. To demonstrate the accuracy of simulation, we evaluated the simulated and measured S-parameter matrixes and B ₁ ⁺ profiles in a birdcage-like excitation mode on a cylindrical water phantom. In addition, B ₁ ⁺ maps and images of human head were shown with the fabricated coil. To demonstrate the parallel imaging performance of this coil array, GRE images using GRAPPA acceleration with the reduction factor R of 1, 2, 3, and 4 were acquired.     

HT-7U PF导体的设计及其稳定性分析

使用简单地功率和能量平衡关系,分析了CICC(Cable-in-Conduit-Conductor)型超导体的稳定性。为了导体的设计,推导出一些仅含有超导电缆几何因子和导体运行参数的表达式。最后给了一种HT-7U极向场PF(Poloidalfield)线圈导体的设计结果。     

多焦距光学系统的小型化设计

提出了一种多焦距短筒功率谱采集透镜(PSCL)系统设计方案,系统由前组透镜、后组透镜和4倍透镜组组成。F500傅里叶透镜作为前组透镜固定,加后组透镜,实现焦距F500至F800或F1000的切换。在F500或F1000系统后增加4倍透镜组,实现F2000或F4000的光学系统。设计结果表明,该方案缩短了透镜系统筒长,且像质良好。该透镜系统适用于多种焦距值切换的光学系统和仪器的小型化。     

基于单片机的亥姆霍兹线圈磁场分布测量装置的研制

介绍了设计制作的基于AVR单片机的亥姆霍兹线圈磁感应强度分布测量装置。单片机统一协调和控制整个系统的工作,步进电机和丝杆控制霍尔元件的移动,A/D芯片将霍尔电压转换为数字信号,通过USB接口传输到上位机,上位机计算磁感应强度,并画出磁感应强度分布曲线。装置工作稳定,测量结果与理论值符合较好,可用于学生实验或演示实验中。     

制备全光功能开关的多量子阱材料设计

采用有效质量框架下一维有限深势阱模型对InGaAsP多量子阱的组分和阱宽之间的关系进行了计算,利用更符合实验结果的Harrison模型来计算带阶,分别就晶格匹配和应变补偿两种情况进行了比较计算,最后根据要制作的全光功能开关的性能指标对计算结果进行了选择,得到最适合于制作光开关的材料.     

Design and Fabrication of Microlens Array for Near-Field Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Parallel Optical Head

A GaP microlens for collecting laser light was developed in the tip of a near-field probe. It is important to realize a near-field optical probe head with high throughput and a small spot size. The design and fabrication results of the GaP microlens array are described. The most suitable GaP microlens with a probe was calculated as having a 10 μm radius using the two-dimensional finite difference time domain (2-D FDTD) method. The full width half maximum (FWHM) spot size variation and optical power density tolerance were calculated as 157 nm ± 5 nm and 7%, respectively. A spherical GaP microlens was fabricated with a radius of 10 μm by controlling the Cl₂/Ar gas mixture ratio. The difference between the theoretical spherical shape and the fabricated GaP microlens was evaluated as 40 nm at peak to valley. The FWHM spot size and optical throughput of the fabricated microlens were measured as 520 nm and 63%, respectively. The microlens was the same as a theoretical lens with a 10 μm radius. The micron-lens array fabrication process for a near-field optical head was demonstrated in this experiment.     

Diagnostic value of breast MRI for predicting metastatic axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients: diffusion-weighted MRI and conventional MRI

Purposes

To evaluate the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and combination of conventional MRI and DWI to predict metastatic axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer.

Materials and methods

Two hundred fifty-two breast cancer patients with 253 axillae were included. The morphological parameters on axial T2-weighted images without fat saturation and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were retrospectively analyzed. An independent t-test/chi-square test and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis were used.

Results

On conventional MRI, short and long axis length, maximal cortical thickness, relative T2 value, loss of fatty hilum (p < 0.001 for each), and eccentric cortical thickening (p < 0.003) were statistically significantly different between the metastatic and nonmetastatic groups. The short axis to long axis ratio was not a statistically significant parameter. The ADC value was significantly different between the 2 groups, with an AUC that was higher than that of conventional MR parameters (AUC, 0.815; threshold, ≤ 0.986 × 10–3 mm²/sec; sensitivity, 75.8%; specificity, 83.9%). Using the adopted thresholds for each parameter, a total number of findings suggesting malignancy of 4 or higher was determined as the threshold, with high specificity (90.1%).

Conclusion

Using conventional MRI and DWI, we can evaluate the axilla in breast cancer with high specificity.