• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to describe a radiofrequency (RF) coil design for in vivo sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for use in small animals. Accumulating evidence has indicated the importance and potential of sodium imaging with improved magnet strength (> 7T), faster gradient, better hardware, multi-nucleus imaging methods, and optimal coil design for patient and animal studies. Thus, we developed a saddle-shaped sodium volume coil with a diameter/length of 30/30 mm. To evaluate the efficiency of this coil, bench-level measurement was performed. Unloaded Q value, loaded Q value, and ratio of these two values were estimated to be 352.8, 211.18, and 1.67, respectively. Thereafter, in vivo acquisition of sodium images was performed using normal mice (12 weeks old; n = 5) with a two-dimensional gradient echo sequence and minimized echo time to increase spatial resolution of images. Sodium signal-to-noise ratio in mouse kidneys (renal cortex, medulla, and pelvis) was measured. We successfully acquired sodium MR images of the mouse kidney with high spatial resolution (approximately 0.625 mm) through a combination of sodium-proton coils.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2003

Purpose : B1 field of birdcage RF (radiofrequency) coil that is used most for brain imaging in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) decreases toward endring from the coil center. We investigated how much RE B1 homogeneity effect the endcap shield brings form the coil center as it towards to endcap region. Materials and Methods : We compared RF B1 field distribution by each finite difference time domain (EDTD) simulations for lowpass, highpass and hybrid birdcage RF coils. We selected the highpass birdcage RF coil that was the highest RF B1 field condition as simulation result, and studied how much RF B1 homogeneity effect was occurred when endcap shield was applied to endring area. Results : B1 field of the highpass birdcage RF coil was higher than other birdcage RF coil types as simulation result. However, the RF B1 homogeneity was lower than other coil types. RE B1 field of highpass birdcage RF coil with endcap shield is similar with RF B1 field of hybrid birdcage RF coil and the overall RE B1 homogeneity in sagittal direction was better. Conclusion In this paper, proposed method can apply improving RF B1 homogeneity of RF coil in clinical examination.

• 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.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.95-122
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• 2020

In this article, we evaluated the performance of radiofrequency (RF) coils in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and homogeneity of magnetic resonance images when used for ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). High-quality MRI can be obtained when these two basic requirements are met. However, because of the dielectric effect, 7T magnetic resonance imaging still produces essentially a non-uniform magnetic flux (|B₁|) density distribution. In general, heterogeneous and homogeneous RF coils may be designed using electromagnetic (EM) modeling. Heterogeneous coils, which are surface coils, are used in consideration of scalability in the |B₁| region with a high S/N as multichannel loop coils rather than selecting a single loop. Loop coils are considered state of the art for their simplicity yet effective |B₁|-field distribution and intensity. In addition, combining multiple loop coils allows phase arrays (PA). PA coils have gained great interest for use in receiving signals because of parallel imaging (PI) techniques, such as sensitivity encoding (SENSE) and generalized autocalibrating partial parallel acquisition (GRAPPA), which drastically reduce the acquisition time. With the introduction of a parallel transmit coil (pTx) system, a form of transceiver loop arrays has also been proposed. In this article, we discussed the applications and proposed designs of loop coils. RF homogeneous coils for volume imaging include Alderman-Grant resonators, birdcage coils, saddle coils, traveling wave coils, transmission line arrays, composite right-/left-handed arrays, and fusion coils. In this article, we also discussed the basic operation, design, and applications of these coils.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.229-251
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• 2021

Arteriosclerosis is the leading cause of stroke, with a fatality rate surpassing that of ischemic heart disease. High-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging is generally recognized as a non-invasive and panoramic method for the evaluation of arterial plaque; however, this method requires improved signal-to-noise ratio and scanning speed. Recent advances in high-density head and neck coil arrays are characterized by broad coverage, multiple channels, and closefitting designs. This review analyzes fast magnetic resonance imaging from the perspective of accelerated algorithms for vessel wall imaging and demonstrates the need for effective algorithms for signal acquisition using advanced radiofrequency system. We summarize different phased-array structures under various experimental objectives and equipment conditions, introduce current research results, and propose prospective research studies in the future.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.293-299
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• 2021

Purpose: To accelerate magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) by developing a flexible deep learning reconstruction method. Materials and Methods: Synthetic data were used to train a deep learning model. The trained model was then applied to MRF for different organs and diseases. Iterative reconstruction was performed outside the deep learning model, allowing a changeable encoding matrix, i.e., with flexibility of choice for image resolution, radiofrequency coil, k-space trajectory, and undersampling mask. In vivo experiments were performed on normal brain and prostate cancer volunteers to demonstrate the model performance and generalizability. Results: In 400-dynamics brain MRF, direct nonuniform Fourier transform caused a slight increase of random fluctuations on the T2 map. These fluctuations were reduced with the proposed method. In prostate MRF, the proposed method suppressed fluctuations on both T1 and T2 maps. Conclusion: The deep learning and iterative MRF reconstruction method described in this study was flexible with different acquisition settings such as radiofrequency coils. It is generalizable for different in vivo applications.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2018

Purpose: Children born with single ventricle physiology demonstrate poor growth rate and suffer from malnutrition, which lead to increased morbidity and mortality in this population. We assume that an anabolic steroid, oxandrolone, will promote growth in these infants by improving myocardial energy utilization. The purpose of this paper is to study the efficacy of oxandrolone on myocardial energy consumption in these infants. Materials and Methods: We modeled single ventricle physiology in a lamb by prenatally shunting the aorta to the pulmonary artery and then postnatally, we monitored cardiac energy utilization by quantitatively measuring the first order reaction rate constant, $k_f$ of the creatine-kinase reaction in the heart using magnetization transfer $^{31}P$ magnetic resonance spectroscopy, home built $^1H/^{31}P$ transmit/receive double tuned coil, and transmit/receive switch. We also performed cine MRI to study the structure and dynamic function of the myocardium and the left ventricular chamber. The spectroscopy data were processed using home-developed python software, while cine data were analyzed using Argus software. Results: We quantitatively measured both the first order reaction rate constant and ejection fraction in the control, shunted, and the oxandrolone-treated lambs. Both $k_f$ and ejection fraction were found to be more significantly reduced in the shunted lambs compared to the control lambs, and they are increased in oxandrolone-treated lambs. Conclusion: Some improvement was observed in both the first order reaction rate constant and ejection fraction for the lamb treated with oxandrolone in our preliminary study.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2014

The heating produced by the absorption of radiofrequency (RF) has been considered a secondary undesirable effect during MRI procedures. In this work, we have measured the power absorbed by distilled water, glycerol and egg-albumin during NMR and non-NMR experiments. The samples are dielectric and examples of different biological materials. The samples were irradiated using the same RF pulse sequence, whilst the magnetic field strength was the variable to be changed in the experiments. The measurements show a smooth increase of the thermal power as the magnetic field grows due to the magnetoresistive effect in the copper antenna, a coil around the probe, which is directly heating the sample. However, in the cases when the magnetic field was the adequate for the NMR to take place, some anomalies in the expected thermal powers were observed: the thermal power was higher in the cases of water and glycerol, and lower in the case of albumin. An ANOVA test demonstrated that the observed differences between the measured power and the expected power are significant.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2017

Purpose: To optimize the saturation time and maximizing the pH-weighted difference between the normal and ischemic brain regions, on 3-tesla amide proton transfer (APT) imaging using an in vivo rat model. Materials and Methods: Three male Wistar rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion, and were examined in a 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. APT imaging acquisition was performed with 3-dimensional turbo spin-echo imaging, using a 32-channel head coil and 2-channel parallel radiofrequency transmission. An off-resonance radiofrequency pulse was applied with a Sinc-Gauss pulse at a $B_{1,rms}$ amplitude of $1.2{\mu}T$ using a 2-channel parallel transmission. Saturation times of 3, 4, or 5 s were tested. The APT effect was quantified using the magnetization-transfer-ratio asymmetry at 3.5 ppm with respect to the water resonance (APT-weighted signal), and compared with the normal and ischemic regions. The result was then applied to an acute stroke patient to evaluate feasibility. Results: Visual detection of ischemic regions was achieved with the 3-, 4-, and 5-s protocols. Among the different saturation times at $1.2{\mu}T$ power, 4 s showed the maximum difference between the ischemic and normal regions (-0.95%, P = 0.029). The APTw signal difference for 3 and 5 s was -0.9% and -0.7%, respectively. The 4-s saturation time protocol also successfully depicted the pH-weighted differences in an acute stroke patient. Conclusion: For 3-tesla turbo spin-echo APT imaging, the maximal pH-weighted difference achieved when using the $1.2{\mu}T$ power, was with the 4 s saturation time. This protocol will be helpful to depict pH-weighted difference in stroke patients in clinical settings.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1301-1307
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• 2011

Electrosurgical knee wand (EKW) is a high-frequency thermocautery instrument and is often used for coagulation, ablation, excision, and extirpation of knee ligaments and tissues. In order to maximize the success rate, ease, and safety of knee surgery using EKW and radiofrequency ablation, it is necessary to ensure that the EKW selectively approaches the lesion with utmost accuracy and safety. The key feature of this instrument is its excellent maneuverability. Hence, the authors constructed a tensile spring model based on a shape memory alloy (SMA), which exhibits the shape memory effect. This model can be used in knee surgery as it is considered the most biocompatible femorotibial surgical actuator. The changes in external temperature with current and the thermoelectric characteristics of the SMA were investigated. The relationship between the restoring force and the typical stroke (TS) in response to the conditions in the SMA tensile spring design were evaluated. In conclusion, as the diameter of the SMA tensile spring decreased, the maximum temperature increased. The strain in the actuator caused a stable and proportional increase in the force and induced current for up to 15s, but this increase became very unstable after 30s. Moreover, the relationship between the current and the TS was more stable than that between the current and the restoring force.