Abstract
Purpose: To improve the decoupling of a transceiver human head phased array at ultra-high fields (UHF, ≥ 7T) and to optimize its transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) performance, a single-row eight-element (1 × 8) tight-fit transceiver overlapped loop array was developed and constructed. Overlapping the loops increases the RF field penetration depth but can compromise decoupling by generating substantial mutual resistance. Methods: Based on analytical modeling, we optimized the loop geometry and relative positioning to simultaneously minimize the resistive and inductive coupling and constructed a 9.4T eight-loop transceiver head phased array decoupled entirely by overlapping loops. Results: We demonstrated that both the magnetic and electric coupling between adjacent loops is compensated at the same time by overlapping and nearly perfect decoupling (below -30 dB) can be obtained without additional decoupling strategies. Tx-efficiency and SNR of the overlapped array outperformed that of a common UHF gapped array of similar dimensions. Parallel Rx-performance was also not compromised due to overlapping the loops. Conclusion: As a proof of concept we developed and constructed a 9.4T (400 MHz) overlapped transceiver head array based on results of the analytical modeling. We demonstrated that at UHF overlapping loops not only provides excellent decoupling but also improves both Tx- and Rx-performance. Magn Reson Med 79:1200–1211, 2018.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1200-1211 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Magnetic resonance in medicine |
Volume | 79 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- SNR improvement
- analytical modeling
- array optimization
- transceiver arrays
- ultra-high field MRI, decoupling
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging