Design of a folded, double-tuned loop coil for 1H/X-nuclei MRI applications
Suk-Min Hong, Chang-Hoon Choi, N. Jon Shah, and Jörg Felder
Online first - 12th December 2022
INM-4 researchers have designed a double resonant coil to enable the simultaneous measurement of both proton and non-proton (X-nuclei) signals at 7T MRI while moderating the shifting pattern associated with other double resonant coil designs.
The coil was designed by modifying the geometry of a loop-like four-ring birdcage coil concept (2 ×1 ladder network). A folded structure was then introduced to minimise the shifted pattern due to coupling between wires, and the final design was evaluated by comparing it with a benchmark single-tuned coil using simulations and measurements. The new structure was also evaluated in a receive-only array – shown below.
The results indicate that compared to a straight double-tuned loop coil, the folded coil moderated the shifted pattern and provided minimum losses at both proton and X-nuclei frequencies. The proposed folded double-tuned loop coil has also been further extended to a receive-only array.
The development of double resonant coils for use in brain MRI is particularly important as the data obtained from non-proton frequencies can provide information relating to the cellular and metabolic features of the brain to complement the structural and functional information afforded by proton MRI imaging.
Origional publication - online first - Design of a folded, double-tuned loop coil for 1H/X-nuclei MRI applications