RF surface receive array coils: the art of an LC circuit

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging Physics
• Electrical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Radiofrequency (RF) receive array coils are critical electronic components in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• These coils are essentially LC circuits that directly influence the achievable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
• The technology has evolved from simple designs to complex 128-channel systems enabling sophisticated parallel imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize fundamental concepts of RF receive coil arrays.
• To review the theories behind major components affecting SNR in these arrays.
• To illustrate principles using an 8-channel coil example.

Main Methods:

• Review of basic concepts and theories related to RF receive coil arrays.
• Discussion of intrinsic SNR, matching circuits, and preamplifiers.
• Analysis of coil coupling, transmit-receive coupling, and decoupling techniques.

Main Results:

• RF receive array coils are complex LC circuits crucial for MRI SNR.
• Key components include matching circuits, low-noise preamplifiers, and baluns.
• Understanding coupling and decoupling is vital for array performance.

Conclusions:

• RF receive array coils are fundamental to achieving high SNR in MRI.
• The review covers essential theoretical aspects and practical considerations for coil design.
• Advanced coil arrays are key to enabling sophisticated parallel imaging techniques.