• Journal of Magnetics
• /
• 제20권3호
• /
• pp.308-311
• /
• 2015

We design a crisscrossed double-layer birdcage (DLBC) coil by modifying the coil geometry of a standard single-layer BC (SLBC) coil to enhance the homogeneity of transmitting magnetic flux density ($B_1{^+}$) along the main magnetic field ($B_0$)-direction for small-animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 300 MHz. The performance assessment of the crisscrossed DLBC coil is conducted by computational analysis with the finite-difference time domain method (FDTD) and compared with SLBC coil in terms of the $B_1$ and the $B_1{^+}$ distribution. As per the computational calculation studies, the mean value in the two-dimensional $B_1{^+}$ map obtained at the mid-axial slice with the proposed DLBC coil is slightly lower than that obtained with the SLBC coil, but the $B_1{^+}$ value of the DLBC coil in the outermost plane (40 mm away from the central plane) shows improvements of 19.3% and 24.8% over the SLBC coil $B_1{^+}$ value when simulating a spherical phantom and realistic mouse body modeling. These simulation results indicate that, the $B_1{^+}$ homogeneity along the z-direction was improved by using DLBC configuration. Our approach enables $B_1{^+}$ homogeneity improvement along the zdirection, and it can also be applied to ultra-high field (UHF) MRI systems.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
• /
• 제29권2호
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 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.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.267-271
• /
• 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.

• 한국전자파학회논문지
• /
• 제23권1호
• /
• pp.96-100
• /
• 2012

정 자장($B_0$)의 세기가 7 T(Tesla) 또는 9.4 T 고자기장 MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) 시스템은 정 자장의 세기가 1.5 T 또는 3 T MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) 시스템에 비하여 인가된 RF(Radio Frequency) 필드의 높은 불균질성을 보여준다. 다채널(multi-channel) RF 코일에서는 인가된 RF 자장($B_1^+$)의 불균질성을 개선시키기 위해서 각각의 코일 소자(element)에 인가되는 전류의 크기와 위상을 독립적으로 조절할 수 있다. 선택된 관심 영역에서의 RF 자장이 균일하도록 RF 코일의 각 요소로 들어가는 최적화된 전류의 크기와 위상 값을 얻기 위해서 iterative 방법과 함께 convex 최적화 방법이 사용된다. 이러한 방법을 입증하기 위하여 9.4 T MRI 시스템에 RF 코일의 공진 주파수가 400 MHz을 가지는 다채널 전송 선로 코일이 인체 두상 모형과 함께 모델링되었으며, 이 코일에 의하여 자장이 얻어진다. 9.4 T MRI 시스템을 위한 시뮬레이션 결과가 자세히 논의된다.

• 대한방사선치료학회지
• /
• 제22권1호
• /
• pp.47-51
• /
• 2010

목 적: 고 에너지 양성자치료에 있어서 Air gap (환자와 Beam 사출구 사이의 거리)의 변화는 Lateral Penumbra의 증가로 불필요한 조사야를 형성할 수 있고, 치료부위에서 최대선량 증가와 최소선량 감소로 선량분포의 균질성을 저하시킬 수 있다. 이에 Air gap 변화에 따른 선량분포에 대해 비교, 연구해 보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 본원에서 양성자치료를 받은 Lung, Liver 환자 6명을 선정하여 크기가 다른 조사야 A와 조사야 B에서 Air gap을 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 cm로 설정하여 Proton external beam planning system을 통해 치료계획을 세웠다. Air gap에 따른 Lateral Penumbra 영역 및 DVH (Dose Volume Histogram)를 비교하고 PCTV영역의 최대선량 및 최소선량 값을 비교하였다. 또한 PCTV내에 선량의 균질성을 알기 위하여 Homogeneity index값을 비교, 분석하였다. 결 과: 각각의 조사야에서 Air gap의 변화(2, 4, 6, 8, 10 cm)에 따른 Lateral Penumbra영역을 분석한 결과 조사야 A에서 Air gap 2~10 cm변화에 따라 평균 1.36~1.75 cm까지 약 28.7%가 지속적으로 증가하였고 조사야 B에서 평균 1.36~1.79 cm까지 약 31.6%가 지속적으로 증가하였다. DVH를 분석한 결과 최대선량의 상대선량 백분율은 Air gap 2~10 cm일 때 평균 108.1%에서 평균 110.3%까지 약 2.03%가 지속적으로 증가하였고 최소선량의 상대선량 백분율은 평균 93.9%에서 평균 90.8%까지 약 3.31%가 지속적으로 감소하였다. Homogeneity index값은 평균 Air gap 2~10 cm까지 1.09~2.6으로 2배 이상 증가하였다. 결 론: 양성자 치료에 있어서 Air gap이 증가함에 따라 Lateral Penumbra 영역이 증가함을 알 수 있었고, 치료부위에서 최대선량 값의 증가와 최소선량 값의 감소로 인하여 Homogeneity index값이 증가함으로써 PCTV내에 Beam의 균질성이 떨어지는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이에 추후 양성자치료시 Air gap을 줄이기 위한 노력이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국초전도저온공학회지:초전도와저온공학
• /
• 제11권2호
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 2009

The unique features of HTS offer opportunities and challenges to a number of applications. In this paper we focus on NMR and MRI magnets, illustrating them with the NMR/MRI magnets that we are currently and will shortly be engaged: a 1.3 GHz NMR magnet, an "annulus" magnet, and an $MgB_2$whole-body MRI magnet. The opportunities with HTS include: 1) high fields (e.g., 1.3 GHz magnet); 2) compactness (annulus magnet); and 3) enhanced stability despite liquid-helium-free operation ($MgB_2$whole-body MRI magnet). The challenges include: 1) a large screening current field detrimental to spatial field homogeneity (e.g., 1.3 GHz magnet); 2) uniformity of critical current density (annulus magnet); and 3) superconducting joints ($MgB_2$magnet).

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• 제24권3호
• /
• pp.95-122
• /
• 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.

• 한국초전도ㆍ저온공학회논문지
• /
• 제11권4호
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2009

The unique features of HTS offer Opportunities and challenges to a number of applications. In this paper we focus on NMR and MRI magnets, illustrating them with the NMR/MRI magnets that we are currently and will shortly be engaged: a 1.3GHz NMR magnet, an "annulus" magnet, and an $MgB_2$ whole-body MRI magnet. The opportunities with HTS include: 1) high fields (e.g., 1.3GHz magnet); 2) compactness (annulus magnet); and 3) enhanced stability despite liquid-helium-free operation ($MgB_2$ whole-body MRI magnet). The challenges include: 1) a large screening current Beld detrimental to spatial field homogeneity (e.g., 1.3 GHz magnet); 2) uniformity of critical current density (annulus magnet); and 3) superconducting joints ($MgB_2$ magnet).

• 대한자기공명의과학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 대한자기공명의과학회 2003년도 제8차 학술대회 초록집
• /
• pp.103-105
• /
• 2003

After fifteen years of development, Magnetic Resonance (MR) technology for human imaging and spectroscopy is reaching a refined state with FDA approved 3T clinical products from Siemens, GE, and Philips. Broker has cleared CE approval with a 4T system. Varian supports a 4T system platform as well. Shielded magnets are standard at 3T from GE, Oxford, Magnex, and IGC. A shielded 4T whole body magnet is available from Oxford. Stronger switched gradients and dynamic shim coils, desired at any field, areespecially useful at higher static magnetic fields B0. In addition to the higher currents required for higher resolution slice or volume selection afforded by higher SNR, whole body gradient coils will be driven at increasing slew rates to meet the needs of new cardiac applications and other requirements. For example 3T and 4T systems are now being equipped with 2kV, 500A gradient coils and amplifiers capable of generating 4G/cm in 200msec, over a 67+/-cm bore diameter. High field EPI applications require oscillation rates at 1 kHz and higher. To achieve a benchmark 0.2 ppm shim over a 30cm sphere in a high field magnet, at least four stages of shimming need to be considered. 1) A good high field magnet will be built to a homogeneity spec. falling in the range of 100 to 150 ppm over this 30cm spherical "sweet spot" 2) Most modern high field magnets will also have superconducting shim coils capable of finding 1.5 ppm by their adjustment during system installation. 3) Passive ferro-magnetic shimming combined with 4) active, high order room temperature shim coils (as many as five orders are now being recommended) will accomplish 0.2 ppm over the 30cm sphere, and 0.1 ppm over a human brain in even the highest field magnets for human studies. Safety concerns for strong, fast gradients at any B0 field include acoustic noise and peripheral nerve stimulation. One or more of the mechanical decoupling methods may lead to quieter gradients. Patient positioning relative to asymmetric or short gradient coils may limit peripheral nerve stimulation at higher slew rates. Gradient designs combining a short coil for local speed and strength with a longer coil for coverage are being developed for 3T systems. Local gradients give another approach to maximizing performance over a limited region while keeping within the physiologically imposed dB0/dt performance limits.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
• /
• 제16권6호
• /
• pp.761-769
• /
• 2022

고유전 재료를 사용한 패드는 임상 MRI 연구에서 RF 펄스의 필드 감도와 균질성을 국부적으로 개선하기 위해 다양한 응용 분야에서 사용되었다. 본 연구에서는 실제 임상 영상의 적용과 관련된 실질적인 문제를 고려하여 패드를 개선하는 것을 목표로 하였다. 감쇠된 B1 필드 강도를 증가시키기 위한 고유전율 패드를 제작하고 7T MRI에서 테스트했다. Sim4Life 시뮬레이션 및 실험 결과는 B1 근거리장에서 더 강하고 상대적으로 균일함을 보여준다. 민감도가 낮은 영역으로 알려진 전체 소뇌의 영상 품질을 향상시키기 위해 패드의 기계적 변화를 줄이는 가이드를 만들었다. 또한 착용감을 향상시키기 위해 패드를 상하로 나누어 디자인하였다. 안면 패드는 비강 내 비갑개와 같은 부위에서 전반적인 신호 증가 효과를 보였다. 전두엽, 눈 등의 영역에서 신호 증가가 예상됐지만 효과가 미미하거나 영상 프로토콜에서 효과를 보기 어려웠다. 결론적으로, 본 논문은 그 효과를 유지하면서 개선된 비강 신호를 갖는 소뇌 최적화 패드를 보여주었다.