Wireless Resonators With Coupled Versus Decoupled Units: Which Enhances Local SNR of RF Receive Arrays Better?

To compare two identically sized wireless resonator designs, one with strongly coupled units and the other with decoupled units, for their ability to enhance receive performance in MRI when used with local receive arrays.

Both wireless resonator designs were fabricated and experimentally evaluated for detuning efficiency, SNR improvements, and parallel imaging performance (g-factor) at 1.5 T. They were used alongside a 12-channel head receive array, with the standard body coil serving as the RF transmitter.

Experimental data showed that the wireless resonator with decoupled units consistently outperformed that with coupled units, with up to threefold improvement in SNR and a reduction of maximum/average g-factor from 4.6/1.8 to 3.1/1.3. Notably, compared to the original receive array (maximum/average: 3.9/1.7), the decoupled design further improved the g-factor, highlighting superior performance in accelerated imaging.

Wireless resonators with decoupled units offer significant advantages in improving MRI image quality and parallel imaging performance over their coupled counterparts. Their ease of detuning and pronounced gains in SNR and g-factor make them a compelling choice for wireless resonator designs.