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Reducing RF-Induced Heating of DBS in 3 T MRI Using Dual-Role Receive Arrays as Wireless Resonators: A Simulation
Zhonghao Zhang1, Ming Lu2, Zhengyi Lu3
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA.
IEEE Access : Practical Innovations, Open Solutions
|August 12, 2026
Summary
A novel 6-channel dual-role head coil array significantly reduces radiofrequency (RF)-induced heating in patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants during MRI scans. This innovation enhances MRI safety for patients with DBS by controlling electric-field distribution.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging Physics
- Electromagnetics
Background:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety is compromised for patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants due to radiofrequency (RF)-induced heating risks.
- Current MRI protocols for DBS patients involve limitations on RF power and stringent safety measures, restricting scan capabilities.
- The interaction between RF fields and DBS leads can lead to dangerous thermal effects at the implant site.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a novel 6-channel dual-role head coil array for MRI.
- To investigate the coil's capability to modulate electric-field (E-field) distribution for mitigating RF-induced heating.
- To enhance MRI safety for patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants.
Main Methods:
- Electromagnetic (EM) simulations were employed to design and optimize a 6-channel dual-role head coil array.
- Coil elements were tuned to reshape the transmit field, focusing on reducing RF-induced heating near the DBS lead tip.
- Validation was performed using a straight conductive wire model and four realistic DBS lead models, employing genetic algorithm (GA) and LSE-Adam frameworks for E-field and specific absorption rate (SAR) suppression.
Main Results:
- Location-specific E-field suppression achieved reductions of 45.9% (predefined-state) and 68.3% (GA-based).
- Whole-head peak 1 g SAR reduction averaged 72.09% across four DBS lead models using the LSE-Adam framework.
- The dual-role coil demonstrated significant flexibility in controlling the transmit field and reducing RF-induced heating.
Conclusions:
- The developed 6-channel dual-role head coil array effectively mitigates RF-induced heating at DBS implants during MRI.
- This technology offers a flexible and novel approach to improve MRI safety for patients with neurostimulation devices.
- Optimized coil performance allows for tailored E-field suppression, enabling safer and potentially more comprehensive MRI examinations.
