Flexible 23-channel coil array for high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging Physics

Background:

• Advancements in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) require innovative coil designs.
• High parallel imaging performance is crucial for accelerated MRI acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, implement, and evaluate a mechanically flexible receive-only coil array for 3 Tesla MRI.
• To achieve high parallel imaging performance across various target organs.

Main Methods:

• A 23-channel array was constructed using a rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB).
• The design incorporates flexible multi-layer elements and rigid housing.
• Testing included bench, phantom, and in vivo MRI experiments with acceleration factors up to six.

Main Results:

• Achieved efficient mutual decoupling and body coil detuning.
• Demonstrated increased signal-to-noise ratio compared to commercial coils, especially at high acceleration factors.
• Presented exemplary in vivo images of head, ankle, knee, shoulder, and hand.

Conclusions:

• The flexible coil exhibits high sensitivity and low g-factors.
• It is well-suited for imaging the occipital and temporal cortex.
• The coil is also ideal for musculoskeletal imaging of knee, ankle, elbow, and wrist.