• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.129-132
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• 1998

A new one-channel phased-array quadrature RF coil is developed for spine MR imaging. Quadrature RF coils for MRI have been used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by$"\squt{2}"$ using two orthogonal RF coils in combination. More recently, the phased-array RF coil has been proposed for more improvement of SNR by using an array of reduced-size RF coil elements. Two schemes proposed for the new phased-array quadrature RF coil are:(1) Proper overlapping of two quadrature RF coils thus removing the mutual inductance and (2) Attaching preamplifiers right after the coil section and combining the signal with proper phase delays. The coil has been implemented for receive-only mode, and tested by phantom and volunteer imaging. The experimental results show the utility of the proposed RF coil.d RF coil.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.227-229
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• 1997

A new phased-array quadrature RF coil for one or two RF acquisition channels is developed for spine MR imaging. Quadrature RF coils for MRI have been useful to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by $"\sqrt{2}"$ using two orthogonal RF coils in combination [1]. More recently, the phased-array RF coil has been proposed for more improvement of SNR by using an array of RF coil elements with a reduced size and coverage for each element. Two new schemes are proposed for the new phased-array quadrature RF coil as follows : (1) Proper overlapping of two quadrature RF coils thus removing the mutual inductance and (2) Attaching preamplifiers right after the coil section and combining the signal with proper phase delays. The coil has been implemented for receive- only mode. It has been tested through phantom and volunteer imaging. The experimental results show the utility of the proposed RF coil.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.461-466
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the signal intensity changes by activating all and partially selected coil elements as a way to increase the SNR in a single region MR imaging. Two cylindrical fluid phantoms were placed side by side in a phase array coil and MRI scans were repeated by turning on the entire elements and selected elements. As a result, on both of the T1 and T2 weighted images signal intensities were significantly increased by 5.49% and 14.64%, respectively. In conclusion, if only a single region was to be imaged, selecting appropriate elements and collecting signals only from them could easily improve image qualities and signal intensities.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.238-243
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• 2017

In this research, we report the preliminary results of an insertional type parallel transmission (pTx) array that has 7-elements that are placed in the space above a patient table as a transmit (Tx) coil to give an RF transmission ($B_1{^+}$) field for the body object of a 3 Tesla (T) MRI system. In previous research, we have tried to compare the performances of different coil elements and array geometries for a pTx body image. Based on these results, we attempt to obtain a human image with the proposed pTx array. Through the simulation and experimental results, we introduce a possible structure of multi-channel Tx array and verify the utility of a multi-channel Tx body image using $B_1{^+}$ shimming. The insertional pTx array, combined with a receiver (Rx) array coil, provides an enhanced $B_1{^+}$ field homogeneity in a large ROI image as a result of $B_1{^+}$ shimming applied over the full body size object. Through this research, we hope to determine the usefulness of the proposed insertional type RF coil combination for 3 T body imaging.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.103-114
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• 2012

Purpose : In an attempt to further improve the radiofrequency (RF) magnetic ($B_1$) field strength in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) imaging, a 4-channel spiral-loop coil array with RF circuitry was designed and compared with a 4-channel single-loop coil array in terms of $B_1$ field, RF transmit (${B_1}^+$), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and applicability to TMJ imaging in 7T MRI. Materials and Methods: The single- and 4-channel spiral-loop coil arrays were constructed based on the electromagnetic (EM) simulation for the investigation of $B_1$ field. To evaluate the computer simulation results, the $B_1$ field and ${B_1}^+$ maps were measured in 7T. Results: In the EM simulation result and MRI study at 7T, the 4-channel spiral-loop coil array found a superior $B_1$ performance and a higher ${B_1}^+$ profile inside the human head as well as a slightly better SNR than the 4-channel single-loop coil array. Conclusion: Although $B_1$ fields are produced under the influence of the dielectric properties of the subject rather than the coil configuration alone at 7T, each RF coil exhibited not only special but also specific characteristics that could make it suited for specific application such as TMJ imaging.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.267-271
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• 2008

The RF shimming technique has been used to improve the transmit RF field homogeneity in highfield MRI. In the RF shimming technique, the amplitude and phase of the driving currents in each coil element are optimized to get homogenous flip angle or uniform image intensity. The inductive and capacitive coupling between the coil elements may degrade the RF field homogeneity if not taken into account in the optimization procedure. In this paper, we have analyzed the coupling effects on the RF shimming using a sixteen-element TEM RF coil model operating at 300 MHz. We have found that the coupling effects on the RF shimming can be reduced by putting high dielectric material between the active rung and the shield.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.546-550
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• 2014

In this research, we report all the elements are placed in the space above the patient table as a transmit coil to give optimized B1+ field for the body object. Through the simulations, we compared upper-and-lower parts combined 8 channel Tx array to upper only 8 channel Tx array and showed the utilities of B1+ shimming in multi-channel Tx body imaging at 3T. Half-cylinder shaped upper array shows weak B1+ field area around back of patient without B1+ shimming. After B1+ shimming, highly induced SAR places occurred in the arm region due to the close distance to the both end elements which were driven by very high RF current to enhance B1+ in back area. The proposed upper and lower combined array provides an enhanced homogeneous B1+ field in large ROI imaging as a result of shimming over the body size phantom. Through this research we proved the usefulness of the proposed insertional upper and lower parts combined transmit array for 3T body imaging.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2008

To improve $B_1$ homogeneity in high field MRI, the RF power is applied to the transmit array coil elements sequentially in the time-multiplexed way. Since only a single coil element is activated in a time-multiplexing slot, the global standing wave formation in the human body is greatly suppressed. The time-multiplexing slot width is on the order of micro seconds, hence, high-order-harmonic slices can be placed far from the transmit coil and simultaneous multiple slice selection can be avoided. The $B_1$ homogeneities of a birdcage coil and an eight-channel transmit array coil have been compared through finite difference time domain simulations. The simulation results indicate that the proposed technique can reduce the peak-to-peak $B_1$ inhomogeneity down to one fourth of the transmission with a birdcage coil on the central plane of the human head model at 3 T. The mimicking experiments at 3 T, eight separate experiments with a single coil element activated and image reconstruction by combining the eight images, also show promising results. It is expected that the proposed technique has some advantages over other $B_1$ improving methods in real practice since simple RF switching circuitries are only necessary and electromagnetic coupling between the coil elements is out of concern in its realization.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.95-95
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• 2002

목적： 기존의 척추용 코일은 phased array 코일을 주로 많이 사용하여 왔다. Phased array 코일은 여러개의 표면 코일로 구성되어 있어 RE 자기장의 영역이 표면코일과 비슷하다. 그래서, 척추 영상을 얻기 위해서는 다른 부위의 핵 스핀을 포화시키는 불편함이 있다. 기존의 표면 코일보다 RF penetration depth가 적은 theta coil을 이용하여, 척추에 적합한 코일을 개발했다. 대상 및 방법： theta coil을 길게 제작하여 척추에 적합하게 하였다. 코일의 길이는 약 35cm, 폭은 16cm이다. 수신 전용으로 하기 위해서, 다이오드를 이용하여 detune 회로를 포함하였다. 기존의 코일과 비교하기 위해 theta coil과 GE사의 척추용 코일로부터 각각 영상을 획득하였다.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.158-164
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to statistically analyze the signal intensity pattern according distance from the surface coil center and to maintain optimal signal intensity under clinical circumstances where the surface coil centers are not correctly positioned due to various causes. The cylindrical fluid phantom was placed and moved from the coil center in vertical direction with 1 cm increments. The signal intensities were measured and compared. As a result, the signal intensity showed no significant difference within 4 cm and 1 cm from in T1 weighted images while in T2 weighted images the signal intensity was maintained up to 5 cm and lower 3 cm in the upper and lower direction from the coil center. In conclusion, to maintain the optimal signal intensity the target region should be located within the reference distances proposed in this study.