Hign acceleration with a rotating radiofrequency coil array (RRFCA) in parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Area of Science:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Accelerating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition is crucial for clinical applications.
• Traditional parallel imaging (PI) techniques improve speed but can compromise image quality.
• Novel radiofrequency (RF) coil designs are needed to overcome current limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a new hybrid technology combining a rotating RF coil array (RRFCA) with PI.
• To assess the performance of RRFCA in enhancing MRI speed and image quality.
• To compare RRFCA with traditional phased-array coils (PACs).

Main Methods:

• A 4-channel RRFCA was modelled and investigated.
• The SENSitivity Encoding (SENSE) method was adapted for transient sensitivity encoding.
• Geometry factor (g-factor) maps were calculated to assess undersampling effects.
• Simulations were performed at 3 Tesla (3T).

Main Results:

• Continuous rotation of the RRFCA significantly improved coil sensitivity encoding.
• Higher reduction factors for scan time were achievable with RRFCA.
• Optimal rotation speed further enhanced sensitivity encoding capability.
• RRFCA demonstrated superior reconstruction quality and noise behavior compared to PACs with more elements.

Conclusions:

• The hybrid RRFCA and PI technology offers a promising approach for faster and higher-quality MRI.
• RRFCA presents significant advantages over conventional PACs, even with fewer elements.
• Further optimization of rotation speed can maximize the benefits of this novel coil design.