A volumetric finite-difference method for the design of three-dimensional, arbitrary-structured MRI gradient coil

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Electromagnetism
• Computational Physics

Background:

• Designing complex gradient coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for advanced imaging capabilities.
• Existing methods may face limitations in handling arbitrary 3D geometries and achieving optimal electromagnetic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel volumetric finite-difference based method for designing 3D arbitrarily structured gradient coils.
• To demonstrate the method's versatility and effectiveness in creating complex coil geometries with high performance.

Main Methods:

• Discretizing the coil space using quasi-rectangular elements.
• Approximating current density via a finite-difference numerical solution of stream functions.
• Calculating magnetic flux density and optimizing stream functions and coil patterns.

Main Results:

• Successfully designed various complex coils, including shielded cylindrical, biplanar, and asymmetric head coils.
• Demonstrated straightforward implementation and versatility for 3D geometries.
• Achieved high electromagnetic performance in numerical simulations.

Conclusions:

• The proposed finite-difference method is a robust and versatile tool for designing complex 3D gradient coils in MRI.
• This approach facilitates the creation of coils with superior electromagnetic characteristics for diverse applications.
• The method's ease of implementation supports its adoption in advanced MRI gradient coil design.